hi, I assume from your description some damaging family situation; I also had one, and this is what messes up the "natural" view on things; I fully understand that. I personally overcame this view late in life, when one gives up to some degree measuring everything with this one personal experience.

Having kids also involves potential problems; for instance, my daughter does not keep contact with me. That is sad, because she does not understand that there is a strong bond which she could rely on; she is in search of her own narcissistic happiness, following her mother -- who she hates. Just to say, life is often different from the ideal.

It is true that human beings are often nasty out of their own delusions. Nonetheless, having helped somebody is a good imprint on one's "record" :-) My son is a nurse, he has to clean up for good or bad people every day. I agree with him that this is a great thing to do.

However, what is "shallow" in every job is the fact that you will have bosses and collaborators who are exploiting or harming you. The company may throw you out at age 58, when you have no chance of getting another job, and so on. Therefore, it is also risky to rely on such fulfillments. Otherwise, surely, one can help people with one's profession. And earn good money.

In my view, one cannot get any "meaning" from life as such; life is but a dream. It is one's attitudes which count. Having a benevolent mindset is important; increasing awareness is good; and then, finally, it turns out the most "natural" way of living is best for this endeavour. [buddhist viewpoint]