Hardwork has a stereotype.
An “office or a place” you go to and put in “x” hours and finish “x” amount of work.
I’ve often heard it being said, either with pride or respect “He/she is such a hardworker”, but I’ve begun to wonder What does that word really mean?

For Beckham hardwork is hours of tossing and playing with the ball. For Mozart, its endless hours on the piano creating new tunes. For a dancer its endless hours of training her body in movement. For a singer, its endless hours listening to music, practicing with their voice and messing with the guitar. For a painter, its staring for hours at things and then playing with colors to capture it on a blank canvas. To the photographer, it’s the endless clicks on his camera. To the designer, it’s playing with lines and bending them to create new form.
To the gardener, its hours of meddling with the soil.
To the journalist, its being out in the world, capturing what’s happening in words and pictures. They ALL “work hard”.
And for many its travelling endlessly to unearth new treasures, meeting people and being inspired to create something new; an idea, a piece of Art or a new way of working even!

I think its high-time we redefined that word, not as something that tires us, making us weary and exhausted, not without reason or passion.
And be saluted, why? Neither should it be revered aimleslly. Someone could put in endless hours at a job that means nothing to them, just because they feel important only by “staying busy”. Even if being busy has no greater purpose.
I don’t think the same rules apply if you’re a filmaker or a gymnast.
Hardwork isn’t only an office. It’s giving all that you are to what you love, to your purpose and reason for being here on earth, to your dreams. It’s time to respect that word when it’s endless hours of passion in motion, whether its in the office or the playground that is, this beautiful delicious world.

I’m all for the discipline, dedication and enthusiasm that any task requires, neither am I against the office.But it’s time we expanded our limiting definition of that word.
Rumi says “Everyone has been made for some particular work, and the desire for that work has been put in every heart.”
I’m saying lets respect every heart’s unique desire.
It’s time we respected everyone’s definition of hardwork. Heck its time we respected everyone’s own unique definition of everything!

by SHENAZ WAHID