WE DO not only give something when we work, we also get something in return. That what makes work a fundamental aspect of our human existence. It’s not all about the salary that we get but a job speaks of our existence itself.
Wonder why there is that feeling of emptiness when we are jobless. Aside from the feeling of insecurity for not being able to get one, it also hinders our social development.
Many of us who happen to be out of work mostly stay with so called friends doing whatever. We only like to see the days go by. When we get home we are either hungry or drunk asking our dear mother if there is food.
There is emptiness because we do not use the whole potential of our mind and body. Our ideas are stuck at the back of our heads because there is no work where we can actualize them. Life becomes boring.
Work speaks of our dignity as persons. We get to share our skill and talent. We get to contribute to our society. Yes we are being paid in what we do but the impact of our work does not end when we receive our pay. Our work extends beyond our office and fields.
Teachers’ job is to teach students principles, concepts, and skills. The work is not defined by teaching alone. It goes beyond the classroom. A teacher can teach the virtue of honesty that may lead to a student giving back a wallet that was dropped by a stranger. The stranger gets to believe in the goodness of humankind. The student may lead a virtuous life.
The teacher sees the fruit of his/her work in spreading good deeds to others. This is the same with other jobs like being a lawyer or soldier. When justice is served it’s not one or two people that get the positive impact, it’s the whole community.
Our work speaks of who we are. Sometimes we could not stay long in a job because we are not happy with it. There are instances where we hear stories from co-workers who have resigned from previous companies even they are getting a salary far more than what they receive with their current job. This is a kind of work that do not speak of ourselves. It is not what we want because it does not embody our values, mission, and vision. We want a work that excites us. We want a job that does not frustrate us to get up early in the morning.
For many, work means life. Maybe it is even larger than life. It is from work where we get salary to put food on the table. It is work that sends our children to school where they can grow intellectually and socially.
It is work where we get to be appreciated or corrected. It is work where we spend perhaps most of our time. Work defines our lifestyle.
Work, therefore, should not be taken for granted. Our situation in the country makes it difficult for many graduates to get a job/work that are in line with their courses. Because of lack of job opportunities and poverty, many of us just grab the first available one in the market regardless if they are aligned with our educational background. This explains the rise of call center jobs. It’s hard to blame others for doing this. We cannot wait too long while we don’t have anything to eat.
If this is the case, we must ensure that we give our best for work. We must work to produce. Every job is important and once we are hired, we must give value to our work. It would be unfair for the next applicant who would have been hired if not because of us. Think about the hundreds of applicants who never get tired of printing resumes and taking the bus trips only to be rejected. Think about the wasted assets if we do not do our job.
If we have a job that we do not like that much, we must learn to be flexible. We need to realign our values. If it is not our dream job, put value to the salary we receive that pays our bills and buys our necessities. Without this work we could not acquire many of the things we have today. So learn to love the job even at the start it is not our liking because it gives us means to live. If we get disappointed with the kind of work as long as it is decent, legal, and ethical, think of what it gives us.
It does not mean that if we do not like our work, we will not work hard for it. If it is a stepping stone job, the more we must work harder.
Again it would be unfair to the owner who trusted you, to the next applicant who was put on the waiting list, to the clients and stakeholders, to the community and society, and, of course, to us.
In realigning our values, we will learn to love or put value to the job we do not want. Loving and putting value to our work are two different things. We would be lucky if we love our job. We would be inspiring if we put value to our job and still work well.
Job is not only working behind a desk. Motherhood is a job. Parenthood is a job. Farming is a job. Fishing is a job. Not all job pays salary but doing it the best that we can produces something that is oftentimes more satisfying than money.
When we have a job give it our best shot. Every job is equal to the other. Nothing is greater than the other because every job has a role to play just like the uniqueness of human beings. Just take note of the movies about the life of exemplary individuals that feature different jobs. You would see films about the life of a pilot, soldier, teacher, lawyer, farmer, astronaut, babysitter, writer, etc. All kinds of jobs are important.
Be thankful with our jobs and show it by doing it right. If we don’t have one, we must not stop looking. If all of us do our job well that is when our country moves forward.