Andrea Dow from Rothesay, Isle of Bute, is an exceptional leader whose lofty ideals harmonize seamlessly with her visionary leadership. She personifies the ideas encapsulated by Rutger Bregman in his inspiring article first published in The Guardian on April 19. Bregman argues for a redefinition of what constitutes a “good” job, urging individuals to abandon unfulfilling roles and pursue morally ambitious paths. The recent lifestyle changes Dow has made truly reflect her beliefs. She has recently scaled back her personal living footprint and doubled down on her efforts to effect transformative change in society.
At the same time, across the country in San Diego, California, Bruce Higgins works under the radar inside one of the city’s most impoverished neighborhoods. Higgins inside her aging apartment. When he’s not working on fleet vehicles, you can find him volunteering with an outreach team that serves 100 homeless people each week. This small team does a big job delivering food, water, clothing—all the things that help people survive and stabilize. Despite the challenges posed by limited funding and resources in non-profit work, Higgins continues to make a significant impact on the lives of vulnerable community members.
Bregman is the first to say that awareness without action isn’t enough. He argues that most people give up on greatness and choose a life of personal comfort rather than a life that makes a difference. His assertion that people should “quit your pointless job, become morally ambitious and change the world” resonates deeply with Dow’s recent lifestyle shift.
Andrea Dow has found her purpose Andrea is living proof of the central theme of Bregman’s message. She reflects on her journey by stating,
“But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.”
Focusing on this angle underscores the way that many of these moderate-seeming decisions create cascading benefits for society at large. Dow’s choice to downsize her lifestyle allows her to focus more intently on serving others and making tangible changes in her community.
Non-profit work can be grueling under even the best of circumstances. People like Bruce Higgins and Andrea Dow teach us the amazing difference you can make by earning them through selfless service and devotion. Through this, their work serves to constantly warn society that great contributions usually come from the unsung.