Devotion Over Diplomas…

Daily writing prompt
What profession do you admire most and why?

Now this one? I’ve got my opinions. Buckle up.

First off, what even is a profession? If we’re talking about the kind that requires you to be “properly” educated, trained, and certified by the same system that keeps most of us stuck, then no, I don’t admire professions. I question them.

Because who decides what counts as a profession? Who gets to be called legitimate? Who’s respected, and who’s just “doing a job”?

To have a profession, you need to be educated, but more often than not, it’s education designed to fit you into the system, not to set you free. It’s about climbing ladders, collecting letters after your name, and being approved by someone higher up who probably doesn’t know your story.

And look, I’ve got diplomas but what does that even mean? Other than a lot of money was invested, or borrowed, to tick the boxes, pass the tests, and “become someone” in the eyes of the system. Why do people have to go into debt just to be seen as worthy? Just to earn the right to sit at certain tables? It’s madness when you really stop and think about it.

So no, that idea of “profession”? Doesn’t impress me much.

Now, a quick apology to all the professionals out there who won’t agree with me. I get it. You’ve worked hard, sacrificed, and made a difference. I respect that. This is just one woman’s wild thoughts on a system that still feels too rigid and unfair for most of us.

You know who I do admire?

The midwife who works by instinct and ancestral knowledge.
The farmer who listens to the land like it’s an old friend.
The teacher who breaks rules to reach a child’s heart.
The artist who keeps painting even when they’re broke.
The carer who sits with someone in their last moments, unseen and unpaid.
The cleaner, the bin man, the builder, doing essential, real-world work that no one thanks them properly for.

I admire the rebels, the healers, the truth-tellers. The ones who didn’t ask permission to show up fully human.

So ask me what profession I admire most?

I admire devotion, not diplomas.
Wisdom, not job titles.
Integrity, not income brackets.

And I’ll take a wise, self-taught soul over a polished professional any day of the week.

I know this post might not go down well with everyone, but I’m an ornery redheaded Irish lass with opinions, and I’m not afraid to swing them around the room like a shillelagh when the mood takes me.

Mae 🧡


Comments

28 responses to “Devotion Over Diplomas…”

  1. Bonus points for introducing me to the word shillelagh. I just looked up its definition and learned how it’s pronounced, and (at this moment) it’s my favorite new word. Thank you, Mae.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That’s awesome Z! Shillelagh is such a fun word, full of history and character. Glad it found a new fan today! 🧡

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Wow. Nice post.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Praveen 🧡

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Welcome dear Mae.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Hello Mae,
    You took the thoughts right out of my head, I couldn’t agree more❤️
    I too am happy to learn a new world – shillelagh☺️

    Hope you have a great week,
    Takami

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Takami,
      Great minds think alike! 😊 And now we both have ‘shillelagh’ tucked away in our vocabulary arsenal. Wishing you a wonderful week too! 🧡

      Liked by 1 person

  4. “I admire devotion, not diplomas.
    Wisdom, not job titles.
    Integrity, not income brackets.”

    Wonderfully put, Mae!

    –Scott

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you Scott! ❤️ I think the world could use a lot more of all three.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Isn’t that the truth!

        Like

  5. I love the way you think Mae. You do well putting your opinions into words. I wish I could. do so well. This is a great post.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you so much, Mags 🧡 That really means a lot to me. I just write from the heart and hope it lands where it’s meant to xx

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You do it very well.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. 🧡🧡🧡

        Liked by 1 person

  6. My late husband worked as an electrical engineer. He didn’t have a diploma–he learned his trade in the Air Force. Because he didn’t have the all-important piece of paper, he was paid 1/2 the salary while doing the exact same job as those in possession of the affirming document. Thank you for having the guts to voice your opinion. 💖

    Liked by 2 people

    1. That’s such an unfair reality, and sadly, far too common. Your husband’s skill and experience were worth every bit as much as any piece of paper. And honestly Sandy I thought about not speaking my truth on this one 😂🧡

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Always go with your gut! 😊

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Absolutely 100% Sandy..🧡

        Liked by 1 person

  7. I agree with who you admire

    Most care givers go through Hell but we stick it out because it is the right thing to do to take care of your elderly parents when they cannot. We are unpaid because the parent usually gives money to the other family members who contribute nothing to their care

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Exactly Joseph. It’s done out of love and duty, not for a paycheck, but it’s heartbreaking when the ones doing the least end up taking the most. 🧡

      Like

  8. Unfortunately that is what happens almost all of the time

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Absolutely Joseph. Our world is upside down!

      Liked by 1 person

  9. You always speak the truth, Mae. A whole generation was misled by the belief that a university education and a corp job in front of a computer was the way. Now you see grads trying to work at fast food restaurants and grocery stores because no one will hire them. That’s the case, at least in my area.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I try to tell it how I see it, Max. They sold the dream, but left out the fine print. Now, a lot of grads are carrying debt and scrambling for jobs that were never part of the “plan.” I feel some folks are waking up! 🧡

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Willie Torres Jr. Avatar
    Willie Torres Jr.

    Absolutely, Mae. I totally agree and appreciate your honesty. True admiration goes to heart, devotion, and integrity, not just titles or certificates. Your view honors the real, often unseen work that truly matters.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much Willie 🧡 I’ve always felt the real measure of someone isn’t on paper, but in the quiet ways they show heart, devotion, and integrity. It’s those unseen acts that shape the world, even if no one hands them a certificate.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. If the so-called accredited find fault with your words, it’s because they lack confidence. And the world can never have enough ornery Irish lasses.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ha ha, Michael, I’ll take that as a compliment. Ornery Irish lasses have kept the world honest for generations, no plans to stop now! Thank you for stopping by 🧡

      Liked by 1 person

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