The highest reward for a person's toil is not what they get for it, but what they become by it.
~John Ruskin
This is especially true with writing. I just submitted a 2,000 word personal narrative to Voices of Alzheimers, LaChance Publishing. My intent of course was publication, but the end result isn't as important now. In writing this piece, I relived a heart wrenching experience and was able to work through some grief. I have become stronger by having written it.
In teaching preschoolers, although I do toil, I am rewarded with satisfaction of witnessing their growth, and I get at least a laugh a day from a student's quip. Yesterday a five year old boy was inviting others to his house. "If you see a golden retriever that doesn't listen, then you know you're at my house."