One individual differs from another due to his way of thinking. Thought is the only basis of personality differences. It develops the whole personality of an individual. One’s view of judgement is totally influenced by one’s thoughts. In fact, an individual is a by product of his thoughts, actions and deeds.
Our life is judged by our outlooks towards the work we perform. It’s very important how we view the work taken up and how we plan to perform it. No task should be categorized as big or small, worthy or unworthy. The emotional and mental involvement in its execution is responsible for all the difference. Our skill and expertise add to the quality of performance; and the end-result is excellent and self-satisfying. And that’s most important as it becomes a part of our nature and develops our personality.
Vinita Narayan, the former executive of IBM company expressing her individual opinion about performance of work said, “Every little bit of work, however insignificant it may appear, when handled carefully pays success in its refund.’’ She further added that she enjoyed works like cooking, cleaning, mopping at home with the same enthusiasm as she did the work on her desk in the office.
Former President of America, Mr. Johnson too followed the same philosophy of life. At the tender age of mere nine years he polished shoes to earn his living. Later he worked in cotton fields and also was a bus driver. In a restaurant he was a waiter. As President of America he often gave his opinion about life saying, “The works I did in my earlier life and later as President were not much different.” His aim was the same in all instances “Work be accomplished whole heartedly and skilfully that’s the only rule”. This was his key to success.
Another ex-President of America, Abraham Lincoln also viewed life similarly. Here is an incident of his life illustrating his outlook. One day a youth came to Abraham Lincoln complaining about his luck and failures in life. Out of frustration he believed that spreading hands for begging was the only alternative he was left with to earn his bread. He complained, “God hasn’t given me anything. How can I earn my living? Sir! It’s only you who can help me.” Lincoln observed the youth from tip to toe and at once said, “I’ll lend you two thousand dollars give me your two legs.’’ The youth was astonished. He replied, ‘I can’t’. How will I walk then?’
Lincoln said, ‘Alright then you may give me both hands. I’ll pay you ten thousand dollars.’ The youth at once replied, ‘No, sir even if you pay me twenty five thousand dollars I won’t spare my hands.’
Lincoln carried the deal forward saying “Keep your hands; give me your eyes for one lakh dollars.” By now the young man was totally taken aback. Confused he fumbled, ‘I can’t get you. Sometimes you ask for my hands, sometimes my legs, and eyes. How can one give away body parts?’
Lincoln, taking the opportunity, exclaimed, “Look lad, the Almighty has blessed you with such precious and valuable gifts. Why do you say you have nothing? Go at once and begin your work. Spread your hands only in front of the Lord while you work, everything will go well. I myself was a daily-wage worker one day but by the power of determination and dedication today I lead a contented life, achieving all that I desired.” The young man being assured of a successful life at once left to work with full zest and zeal.
As a rule we should learn to respect our work. The psychologist, Charles Spillburg says, “A man who respects his work develops excellent traits like kindness, generosity, dedication. He is a sensitive person with good understanding and strong determination”. All these traits uplift his character and personality on the whole. In fact these traits should be developed in the growing children so that they benefit from it lifelong. This will inculcate and instil a new outlook towards work in the younger generation. One day they will serve society with zest and zeal and thus make themselves pride of the nation. The child who is taught to respect his work is far wiser than the other children. He is full of enthusiasm at work and at the same time patient while executing it and remains cool about the result. He is good at anticipating result more accurately through the lessons learnt through hard work and expertise gained since childhood. Being aware of the fact that hard work is always suitably rewarded he enjoys the work and honours his own decisions. The outcome on the whole is a dignified and confident personality.
Indian Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore belonged to a well-to-do family. His father owned many horses and chariots but Rabindranath was sent to school on foot. He would walk a long distance to school with his schoolmates. The aim was to instill in him good traits like respect for hard work, to achieve by doing, team spirit and respect for all. He also learned the crucial lessons of life like understanding others’ feelings, sorrows and lending helping hand to others in need.
Ronald Reagan, ex-President of America also appreciated the same kind of life philosophy. He worked in ordinary places like a circus, as a lifeguard he saved seventy seven lives from drowning, as a waiter cleaned tables in a cafeteria. Meanwhile he also focused on his studies and steadily moved ahead and finally reached the highest position in America. He always recalled his past and utilizing the lessons learnt from it moved ahead boldly. He was never ashamed of his past but took pride in declaring those events which helped him frame his future.
Our revered Gurudev Pt. Shriram Sharma, Acharya also believed, “Do all the work that comes your way. Learn as much as you can from it. Learn to clean your house and premises and also toilets. When one performs small tasks willingly then worthy tasks of the outer world automatically go well. Work should be honoured.” This is the true key to success. Don’t categorize work as worthy or unworthy. Just do it. All the work should be done in the spirit of worship.
Akhand Jyoti Magazine 2016 May-Jun