The Curse Of Idleness: The Beauty Of Honorable Work

The Curse Of Idleness: The Beauty Of Honorable Work

Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going: Sam Levenson

The first rays of the sun had barely begun to break through the crisp morning air as Ahmad, a young laborer from a remote village in Jammu and Kashmir, made his way towards the construction site where he worked. His face was weathered, and his hands calloused from years of toiling in the sun, yet there was a fire in his eyes that belied his humble occupation. As he walked, he couldn’t help but ponder the stark contrast between his life and those of his peers, many of whom had pursued higher education but found themselves trapped in a cycle of unemployment and hopelessness.
Ahmad was born and raised in a small village in his district. He had a humble upbringing and knew the value of hard work from an early age. He was an excellent student and went on to complete his post-graduation from a reputed university. However, instead of waiting for a government job like his friends, Ahmad chose to work as a laborer.
In fact, he had learned from his father that hard work and perseverance are the keys to success. And so, he worked diligently, never shirking from his responsibilities. He took pride in his work, knowing that he was contributing to society in his own small way.
One of the things that set Ahmad apart from his peers was his attitude towards life. While many of his friends complained about the lack of job opportunities and cursed their fate, Ahmad always remained optimistic. He knew that the only way to improve his situation was to take matters into his own hands. And so, he did.
Whenever his friends were in financial need, they would turn to him for help. Despite being less educated than most of them, Ahmad always had something to offer. He had a positive outlook on life and believed that anything was possible if one worked hard enough for it.
One day, while sitting with his friends, smoking a cigarette, one of them lamented about the curse of unemployment and the sorry state of affairs in the country. Ahmad simply in response smiled and told his friend that the only curse was the one in his mind. He reminded him that they had all been idle for years and were now reaping the consequences of their inaction.
Ahmad shares his vision for a new reality in their valley, one where education and labor are not mutually exclusive, and where every individual has the opportunity to create their own path towards financial stability.
The state of Jammu and Kashmir has a relatively low employment rate, and the government has not been able to provide jobs for everyone. Despite this, thousands of people from across India flock to the valley each year to earn a livelihood. Ahmad wonders why the people of his own state cannot do the same.
In Islam, Ahmad notes, we are taught to work to feed ourselves and our families. It is not a sin to earn our living with our own hands. So why are the people of Jammu and Kashmir so resistant to the idea of working as laborers or creating self-employment opportunities?
Ahmad believes that the mindset of the people of Jammu and Kashmir must change. Instead of looking down on those who work as laborers, society must learn to respect them.
The state government, too, must take action to address the issue of unemployment. Ahmad suggests that the curriculum in colleges and universities needs to be reevaluated to ensure that students are being taught the skills that will enable them to secure jobs.
Additionally, the government could introduce short-term vocational courses in every district, free of cost, to help people develop the skills they need to find work.
In his conversations with his friends, Ahmad emphasizes that there is no shame in working as a laborer. He notes that the buildings people call palaces and the cars they call luxurious are all products of the hard work of laborers like him. He encourages his friends to stop wasting their days and start earning a living with their own hands.
“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” – Jimmy Dean
Ahmad’s story is not unique. Across the world, there are countless people like him who have had to work hard to make ends meet. These individuals often lack the opportunities and resources that their more privileged peers enjoy. But what sets Ahmad apart is his attitude towards his work. He does not see his job as a burden but as an opportunity to earn an honest living and provide for his family.
His story reminds us that hard work is not something to be ashamed of. In fact, it is something to be proud of. As the writer Elbert Hubbard once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Ahmad’s work as a laborer is a form of service. He is contributing to his community by building homes, roads, and other infrastructure.
Ahmad’s story also highlights the challenges faced by many people around the world who struggle to find work. In many cases, the issue is not a lack of motivation or work ethic but a lack of opportunity. Governments and other institutions must do more to create jobs and provide people with the skills they need to secure those jobs.
Over time, Ahmad’s friends also started to change their attitude towards work. They realized that sitting idle away their time, glued to their screens and drowning in despair and complaining about joblessness would not help them in any way. They started taking up odd jobs and learned new skills.
In a few years, Ahmad and his friends had transformed their lives. They had all become self-sufficient and were able to support themselves and their families. Ahmad had become a role model for his community, and people looked up to him with respect.
In conclusion, Ahmad’s story is an inspiration for all those who are struggling to make ends meet. It shows that hard work and determination can help people overcome even the toughest challenges. It also highlights the importance of vocational education and the need for society to accept that there is no shame in working as a laborer.
Ahmad’s story is a reminder that everyone has the potential to succeed if they are willing to work hard and never give up.
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
The author is a freelancer and can be reached at [email protected]

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