I worked for a non-profit alternative mental health crisis residential program that contracted with Northern California Counties to provide, IMO superior services to the homeless with psychiatric diagnoses and often times addiction issues.

My boss asked me why do it. I told her I can’t do meaningless BS work for somebody who sells shoddy stuff to make a profit. I worked for this organization for nearly 20 years.

I don’t define success by how much money I make or can make. To me success is about an ethic to relieve suffering utilizing evolving skill sets and reinventing myself for service to those in need. After 40 years of working as an alternative healer full and part-time (with two forays into community mental health work of about 10 years each) I feel happy and fulfilled.

The common good was once divorced from money earned and assets acquired. It was based on Victorian moral principles which were traded in for money and greed for more money.

We need a focus on The Common Good, not just for the rich, but for every one of us.