What do you work for?

When was the last time someone asked you this question… What do you work for? The common questions asked are: Where do you work, whom do you work for, or what is your work about?

Recently, I met a client who works in an airline company. Every night, he snores, and doctors have advised him to use a CPAP machine. However, he did not require the CPAP machine whenever he was on a holiday. His snoring pointed to his work. When I asked him what he was working for, he said he was for money but was not interested in working. Such parents need to have the wisdom to guide their children.

Kids who have just stepped out of their teenage are all mentally distressed. The parents want them to study engineering so they can work in a software company and earn hefty salaries.

Work is for learning, not for earning. When you learn, you get better at your skills. The more refined the skills, the better your chances of choosing your work in the companies you choose with a growth index. Your job feeds your intellectual and financial growth. That’s how you enjoy your life. Most parents are impatient about their children’s career growth. The youth need to be educated about their natural abilities while they are in high school or before they choose their graduation stream.

My parents needed footwear, adequate clothing or money for their livelihood, which they did not have. So, they focussed on accumulating their necessities and were able to provide enough for our needs. We grew up with our tummies full. Our parents' dream was to see us achieve greater heights than they did. During this time, most families saw their children settle abroad. We worked for money. Our tummies became full, and we had crazy ideas like owning a house even when we did not need one, owning fancy gadgets and enrolling our kids in posh schools. We forgot everything about self-respect and self-worth.

Our children have everything they never asked for. We provided them with excess food, snacks, video games, electronic gadgets, and pocket money, which has caused them to believe that they don't have to work, and if they have to, then it is to maintain their lifestyle. They are also tremendously misguided by social media. Is that a substrate for their existence?

Suppose we don't teach our children the importance of work and associate it with vision, goal and purpose. In that case, we will all fail in our objective of directing a generation of influential thought leaders and entrepreneurs towards nation-building. Spiritual practices must be cultivated, including disciplining the mind, restraining the senses and nurturing the ability to dream big and contribute to a cause. Our service to our nation begins here.

At Nadichikitsa, we build training modules for corporate employees so that they can be standing examples for their children.

-- Dr Mahesh Krishnamurthy