Many of us need to work and often have jobs that we wished we didn't and certainly weren't our first choice. But we must keep them and, hopefully, we are doing them to the best of our ability even though we often don’t benefit from the company’s productivity. We are there for the paycheck and usually know how much it will be…less taxes of course.

But we do get something for that paycheck and, if we but look around, we will see the benefits of working.

• Many of us typically drive to work which means we have to own a vehicle of some sort, even if it’s a bike. We can do this because we give so much of our paycheck to that vehicle.

• Same with a house, we often own (metaphorically speaking of course) our own home and, again, that mortgage is paid out of our paycheck.

• Groceries, utility bills, children’s activities and associated costs (because they always have to play the most expensive sport or be the prima ballerina who needs those toe shoes) all come from that paycheck.

These things are obvious and most of us know that we must maintain a certain level of income based on our expenses.

But are there other things that “work buys”; things that aren't always on the monthly budget sheet. These things belong to the puzzle that is our lives.

• Peace of mind. Yes, we have a car and a house and all of those other things but there are many who don’t and, for whatever reason, may never have.

• A safe place to go. Having a roof over our heads and all the necessities and comforts allow us to unwind and be ourselves without the scrutiny and judgment of others. This may very well be the place we live in when we retire as well. "There's no place like home".

• Making constructive use of our time. If we weren't at work what would we be doing? For many of us, we would be doing nothing…literally. And we would then have an expectation that someone has to look after us and we are not responsible for anything. So not true.

• A role model for our children and our society. I’m sure you've heard the expression “no man is an island”? This is very true and our work allows us to belong to our communities, both locally and the global community. We are connected and we need to be a contributing member of our communities. Work gives us that dignity and respectability. This is putting together the puzzle for all the pieces in our lives.

Our work buys more than the clothes on our back or the fast vehicle we like to drive.

It also buys us dignity and the respect of others; I might even go so far as to say the admiration of others…just as we admire and respect them. After all, they’re our neighbors.