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W: Work

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My first job was at the age of eighteen. I had just finished my pre-college and had a long break before my classes for graduation would start. There was a new mall opened in town and they needed people to promote it. My friends and I jumped at the opportunity and were chosen among the hundreds of teens who applied for it. It was a job for two weeks and we got paid daily. All we had to do was wear colorful T-shirts carrying the mall's name and walk around distributing pamphlets about the new space. It might seem menial to a lot of you guys, but for me that would always remain my first job. I took it up not because I wanted to make money to spend. And definitely not because my parents could not afford to give me money. I took it up because I had a lot of free time in my hands. And strange as it may seem, I enjoyed the job. Two weeks later as I held the few thousands in my hand, my heart felt a sense of satisfaction. I felt a sense of independence and the thought of making my own money made me feel proud.

Before my big job of being a techie, I did a lot of promotional jobs. I prepared interview questions for a renowned consultant, I sold hair oil right outside a super market, I helped sell furniture during a home needs expo, I hosted a couple of events at newly opened malls and I did modelling for a day (I hated it so much that I quit the next day). I took up these jobs to make my own living and not depend on my parents for everything. I wanted to be independent and I put my heart and soul into every single job I've worked on. I took up jobs during semester holidays and started fending for myself. I was already studying on an educational loan and being able to take care of myself in every way made me so happy, content and satisfied. My parents were proud of me too!

The day I got placed in the biggest IT company of the world, my happiness multiplied ten fold. Six years and ten months have passed and I could not be more happier here. A lot of my peers have switched jobs and are making twice the money I am making now. But I do not care. I love my job here and no amount of money can take that away. Coming to work every morning makes me feel so good and calm. I know that I have the capacity to take care of myself and this independence is what is most important to me. I do not want to live off someone all my life. I do not want to ask someone money for my basic needs. And I strongly believe that a person should indulge in luxuries only if they are making the money themselves. Taking money from your parents, husband/wife, friends or others just so that you can show off is something I find extremely disgusting. Every person is given some or the other means to fend for themselves. And I absolutely loathe people who do not bother to lift a finger to earn a living for themselves.

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Work is worship for me. In every way possible. My work has made me the person that I am today. The days where I did promotional jobs to make money, thought me the importance of money and made me a humble person. Even today, no matter how much money I make I think twice before spending every penny. No, it is not because I'm a miser. It is because I have not forgotten where I have come from. Work doesn't only mean money to me. Work is the place where I spend most of my time and it will always be the most important thing in my life. I have learnt so much over the past years and I continue to learn. I have risen up the ladder based on my own merit and I feel so thrilled to be considered one of the best employees of my gigantic company.

No job is menial, every one is here to make a living. Have you seen a few rich folks making fun of the others who are not as blessed as them? Such people deserve to rot in hell. People think that hiring a maid is a status symbol. For me it is a sign of not being able to do your things yourself. And then they treat the maid badly. She is here to do your work that you cannot do yourself. This clearly puts her in the higher band. Just like what you do for a living, this is what she does. There is no reason for anyone to treat her badly. The same goes for drivers, security personnel, house keeping staff and everyone else around. We all need them to do our work. Without them, we are handicapped. But is there anyone who understands that?

For me my work is sacred and I shall forever be a workaholic. Being a woman, it is tough to handle work and a house, but it is not impossible. Also, I believe that only a working lady will understand an other working lady. Before I started working I used to take my mother for granted. I watched her do all the household chores, head to work, come back and get busy with the chores again. But when I started a full time job, I knew how hard it is. Today she is my inspiration as she has always taught me to be true to the work I do. And I adhere to it. Work will always be my first priority, as it is what makes me everything that I am today. Thankfully I know the art of multitasking well enough to not miss out on other things of life due to my work commitments. But if you ask me to choose between work and a vacation, I would say that I shall finish my work and then go on a vacation. Yeah, I'm like that only!

Tell me about your work. Do you love it or hate it? If you hate it, why are you still there?

Linking to the A to Z Challenge.

Comments

  1. :) I love my work too. I am glad that you do and more important that you truly understand the beauty of dignity of labour. Kudos to you :)

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  2. I have been working for 7 years now and I love my job too. I love to work but I am definitely not a workaholic in any sense.

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  3. J here, stopping by from the #atozchallenge - where I am part of the A to Z Ambassador Team! (I'm a minion/volunteer under Arlee.)
    Don't forget our after party. The Reflections Linky List will open on Monday May 4th. (For links directly to posts, not to general blog addresses.)
    I've followed you on GFC. Great post. Always nice to meet a fellow Leo.
    It really is valuable to have a job you enjoy. My grandfather liked the expression, "Never work for money." (Normally someone would follow it with, "Yes, better to have money working for you." Though then a lesson in investments would start.) Honestly, he liked what he did for a living. And really, I think that's more what he meant. To like what you do.
    -J @JLenniDorner

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  4. It is so great that you enjoy your job. Very important. In my case I have been retired for years although I did take a part time job for a while.

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    1. It sure is very important Jo. Writing is a job too :)

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  5. I had to take a career break for some years due to a big move (across countries) and a baby. I am looking forward to joining the workforce again this year and can't be more excited. I have always been a workaholic. However I think I need to figure out a balance, now that I have a kid. Great post, as usual. :)
    *Shantala @ ShanayaTales*

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  6. Soumya, you deserve respect for working hard and reaching a point where you have the culture of work. I missed few opportunities in the past but still remember I did survey for a gas products as an 18 year old standing near shops and earned some 1,200 bucks. What an awesome feeling! The feeling you've earned the morning. Respect!

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  7. Good to know that you are happy at work .. Well written lines soumya

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  8. lovely post Soumya!! No work can be ever big or small...dad tells me about his first job experience when he was just 16, he used to cut iron rods for Rs. 5 a day! and he used the money to fund his education and got a job in RBI where he worked till retirement!

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  9. I would certainly consider promoting a mall for two weeks to receive thousands - Wow! - as well! ;) I'm glad you learned the importance of work and to value it as well as money and other people's work. Good for you Soumya. :) For myself, I don't hate my job nor do I love it, though there are aspects to both. As long as I keep learning and growing, I'm there...well, at least for now...time will tell. ;) <3

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    1. Few thousands it was :)

      Learning and growing is all that matters! <3

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  10. a beautiful and straight from the heart write up. You have so much interesting experience. I so wish I was smart enough during my younger days. No job is menial, that's absolutely true. Unless we change our mindset, mutual respect cannot be hoped for.

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  11. Work is worship, such a lovely thought! Love your attitude. Great going!!!

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  12. Oh yes, no work is small. Love your attitude and spirit, Saumya! I love my current job. But the bestest was my last assignment. I remember getting up every morning with a spring in my step to go to my work station. :)

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    1. That's such an awesome feeling na. Thankfully I wake up like that everyday :)

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  13. A great post, Soumya. You've put it really well when you say that work makes you independent in more ways than just being financially secure. I am a working mum and I don't think I could have it any other way. :)

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  14. Honestly, my first job was something that I didn't aim for but got it while going with the flow. I slowly grew to like it but that was not enough for me. I wanted to go to office everyday and feel like am at home. That required something more. So I quit and switched a couple of jobs until last year, when I finally got the dream job.

    I love my work and at the end of day, I don't feel like I have to go home to feel satisfied. I get it at work. I have made great friends here who introduced me to a different world. As you rightly said, work is worship - if you find the right one for you.

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