
The Meaning of Action: Beyond Labels of Creative and Non-Creative Work
Personal Reflections: The Value of Work, the Value of Being
What is the meaning of action—of labor—when we separate creative work from all other forms of work? When we draw a line between writing and crane operating, between art and caregiving, we risk reducing labor to its utility.
Work, in its essence, isn’t about the outcome alone. Whether you’re building bridges, writing books, or caring for patients, work expresses something deeper: our ability to engage with the world, to give ourselves to a task, to connect our actions to purpose—no matter the shape they take.
But what happens when action fades? When a person, once so vibrant in their labor, forgets it all because of Alzheimer’s? Who are they then—if not their work?
The Problem with Labels: Creative vs. Non-Creative Work
Separating “creative” from “non-creative” work is tempting. It allows us to romanticize art, to hold writing or painting or music on a pedestal. But here’s the truth: all work can be creative, and all work can be reduced to a transaction if we allow it.
The carpenter crafting a table is no less of a creator than the writer crafting a story. The nurse saving lives is no less connected to meaning than the musician creating beauty. The dignity of work lies not in the outcome but in the engagement—the act of giving yourself to something greater than yourself.
When we forget this, we objectify labor. We make it a commodity to measure, compare, and sell. Work becomes detached from the worker, and the person is reduced to a machine or a means to an end.
When Action Fades: Who Are We Without Our Work?
Imagine a carpenter with Alzheimer’s, unable to hold a tool. A writer who forgets the meaning of words. A doctor who no longer remembers how to heal. Are they still creators? Are they still meaningful?
Yes. Because the essence of being isn’t in the work we produce—it’s in our presence. Our worth doesn’t evaporate with age, memory, or ability. The value of work is a reflection of something deeper: our humanity.
Practical Reflections: Dignity and Meaning in Work and Life
- Redefine Creativity
Creativity isn’t about art or genius; it’s about engagement. Every act—whether building, caring, writing, or fixing—can carry creativity when done with presence and intention. - Detach Work From Identity
Work gives life meaning, but it shouldn’t define us. Who we are goes beyond what we do. Recognize the dignity of simply existing, of being present for others and yourself. - Honor All Work Equally
Whether you write, care for the sick, or lift heavy loads, all work deserves respect. Reject the labels of “higher” and “lower” labor, and focus on the act of giving. - When Action Fades, Embrace Being
For those unable to work—through illness, aging, or other reasons—find value in their presence. Our worth lies in our relationships, our love, and our shared humanity, not in productivity. - Be Grateful for Action
If you’re able to work—whether creatively or not—recognize it as a gift. Give yourself fully to the task, knowing that labor done with dignity creates meaning.
The Essence of Labor
Work isn’t about the product but the presence. Whether writing words, hammering nails, or caring for another human being, the act of labor connects us to something greater. And when work fades—when memory slips and hands grow still—we remain valuable. Our presence alone carries meaning.
Because in the end, we are more than what we do.

Written by Wa Alikum Salam, Immigrant.