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“The Greatest Waste in the world is the difference between what we are and what we are capable of becoming”
— Ben Herbster
Sounds strange, but all of us have to learn to work. Most of us are working far below our capacity. Our abilities and energies are underutilised. We are like an industrial organisation with the installed capacity of 1000 units, but just producing 200 units. If we can substantially reduce the gap between what we are capable of producing and what we actually are producing, we can work wonders. Sounds strange, but it is true. One is reminded of the words of Thomas Alva Edison:
“If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves”
Why should one work?
Gandhiji has described ‘Wealth without Work’ as one of the seven deadly social sins. We do not have to look very far to see what happens, when people inherit large chunks of wealth and who, because they have much more than they need, stop doing any productive work and wile away their time. Wealth without work not only kills their desire to work, but makes them spend their money on luxuries, wine, women and what not. Therefore one has to work, and teach one’s children also to work, in spite of the wealth that one possesses.
Even Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita advises Arjuna to work:
“There is nothing in the three worlds, Partha, that should be done by Me, nor anything unattained that might be attained, yet I mingle in action.”
“For if I mingled not ever in action unwearied, men all around would follow my path, son of Pritha”
Krishna in other words says: If leaders in our society, who are occupying high positions do not work, they set an example to the rest of the society. It is therefore necessary that we work, and work to our fullest capacity.
How should we work?
Having concluded that we should work, one should also learn to work efficiently. People have the tendency to spread work over available time. We should not spend the whole day on work which can be finished in a couple of hours, and feel that we have been working hard for the full day.
What should be the manner of our working?
People have to work for earning a livelihood. The question is how should one earn. Let us remember what our scriptures tell us:
“Without causing any torment to others, without going to the place of villainous people, without causing any unhappiness to your soul, even if you earn a little, that should be considered to be more than enough.”
What should be the purpose of our work?
Working hard and making an honest living is not enough. We should work with a purpose, a noble cause. There is a difference between just breaking stones and working to make a temple. Working for a good cause brings a special kind of happiness and a sense of fulfilment, a joy which is difficult to describe. If we can bring a smile to the face of the poorest of the poor, and wipe a tear from the eyes of a person undergoing pain and suffering, we would have done something worthwhile. It is this small act of kindness and grace that really matters. In the words of Mother Teresa:
“We cannot do great things on this Earth, only small things with great love.”
What should be the ultimate goal of our work?
Ultimately we have to reach a stage where we realise we are working for God, as per His wish. We must then understand that it is not we who are working, but it is God who is working through us. We are just His chosen instruments. In words of Shri Haribhai Kothari.
Let us then work, work to our fullest capacity, work for noble causes and work understanding that it is God who is working through us. It will make our lives truly worthwhile.
