‘Mehnat’
After working for 12 hours a day for over few months, today I got a few hours for myself. Today, I started reflecting on my journey along with my friends, and it all comes down to one point — ‘mehnat’. Does hard work mean one has to let go of all joy, friendships, fun, and relationship? Some people like to believe in extremes, but I have a different take on it.
/ Hardwork isn’t about letting go of what you enjoy, indeed it’s about doing what you love the most. It means you are ready to take the consequences of your action. Hard work is a blend of commitment, consistency, and perseverance.
/ Mehnat isn’t only about achieving that one big dream, a cheque of 8 digits at the end of the month, or becoming a topper in the class. Mehnat is also about letting things/feelings go. We are aware of the journey one needs to have to earn money, but we as a community don’t focus on the core of human beings i.e. feelings. Many of us, including me, don’t know how to handle our feelings. I’m still learning it day by day.
/ Mehnat is another word for courage. It’s easier for one to sit on the bed, and watch ‘Netflix’. Mehnat requires one to step out of the comfort zone, and be willing to take that one step which requires a lot of effort and a leap of faith. Everyone is eligible to be a part of ‘mehnat community’ but only a few dare to take a step of a leap of faith.
/When I was in 8th standard, I learned to use Orkut, and I found one quote on a random account that has stayed with me to date i.e. ‘ Try, Fail, and Try Again’. Hard work doesn’t guarantee success. So you can fail once or twice. The willingness to take the challenge has to come from within, and not externally. It’s a journey that has a lot of comforts to offer but at the same might ask you to stop at times.
/My dear friend Anany Shukla said it rightly, ‘ Sapne dekhne aur uhne poore karne ka beech ka faasla ko hi mehnat kehthe hai. Aur is safar ka sabse khoobsurat hissa yehi hota hai’. It’s very similar to it’s never about the destination but it’s all about the journey.
/ It’s also about getting up in the morning, and being able to fight every possible thing to not sulk in the feeling of sadness. It’s also about putting every ounce of effort into making sure you don’t text that person saying — ‘ please, come back.’
/There is no joy in the world without mehnat. Do you remember summer vacation, how bored we used to get if we didn’t have anything for the day? Life is all about the journey of small efforts in every task we do. The joy becomes much larger when you have done some hard work. It’s a proportional to happines/joy with some ifs and buts.
/ My question to myself is always, why do we use mehnat only in terms of external factors. Feelings of humans isn’t a very breezy ride. It’s a ride full of rain, thunderstorm, breezy vibes, collusion, and a bright day. Getting through the extreme ones is very difficult, and not everyone dares to do it. One who does it, appreciate them.
/ The one thing which will make your life from A to Z is only — ‘mehnat’. The amount of effort you put into turning dreams into reality is the real roadie work. Even if you fail after putting 100%, you have to learn to wake up again and start working. It’s easier to give up than to pursue it. Do not give up even if it’s your best friend, partner, or parents telling you, just don’t.
/ Mehnat isn’t about a journey like one magical path. It’s a journey of all types of ups, and days. But without mehnat, you are just going to be where you are today, tomorrow, and day after. The only thing that matters is moving forward, and upward.
/ Learn to trust yourself in the process.
/ I would appreciate two friends of fine Kajal and Anany Shukla who started their travel company named ‘firgun’ ( Instagram ID — firgun travels). The amount of effort, hard work , sweat, conversation, courage, willingness to keep going and trust in each other has made this possible. They started this company in April 2022, and today they are leading their first trip to ‘Leh-Ladakh’. It’s a feeling of liberation, and love, when you see mehnat converting into dreams. If they can do it, even you can!
With tonnes of hard work, one always needs to have hope and kindness. Please learn to unlearn, and be ready to explore. The world isn’t as rigid as folks have made it, and it’s a beautiful place to be in. I read something which is very meaningful and wholesome. Leaving it for you here :
“Little by little, I’ll learn to know
The treasured wisdom of long ago;
And one of these days, perhaps, we’ll see
That the world will be the better for me.”
Thank you. I hope you have enjoyed reading it.
