I am writing this because… well, let’s just say, I was inspired by a few things to write this topic. One is negative,1 the other, positive. But in any other way, I needed to write this, because I can.
Here’s the thing. I don’t have a very high tolerance towards people who don’t know the value of hard work. I won’t have to name names because I’m already sure that many of you have one or two or more in mind whenever I mention this. For me, the best way for you to actually learn how to appreciate the value of hard work is to get yourself involved into something that does involve hard work. For instance, say, learning server-side coding, or learn how to create an original art and showcase it to everyone, or even most of all, contribute to a project that involves other people aiming for the same common goal. You know, artisan and collaborated works. This is why I encourage everyone to visit your local fair, whether it’s a county fair or a state fair or even an arts and crafts festival. For example, this October, our second annual Arts and Wine Festival will be held across the street from my house (a community park) and I can’t wait to visit my friends from middle and high school (who became artists and crafters themselves), as well as checking out new and original items created by local talent.
Maybe one day, when I do become really good at my art, I can open my own booth and create something for the visitors for free.2 I actually thought about using ATCs as my giveaways or prizes for some upcoming contests (if I actually end up doing something like that) one day, maybe a monogram with zen art and doodling or a mini-lettering type of art. In a way, I think it’s kind of original, plus I’m kinda cheap,3 so I think this would be the best route to go to.4
These past few days, I watched the DNC with the parents (I watched the RNC last week too… not only it was boring, but it’s just overall… BLEH.), and it was because of then that I began to realize even more on how important hard work really is. We become successful in whatever accomplishments we have made through hard work, whether those accomplishments may be planned or accidental. I also learned the real worth of hard work really is and what it should be. I know I’m being repetitive again, but I feel that a person would finally realize the real value of hard work when he/she starts to do something that actually involves hard work. Why do I say this? It’s because there are people out there who asks (or hire) others to do the hard work for them in exchange for nothing. No hard worker should feel undervalued by those people, because if you think about it, it’s kind of like stealing. You’ve done this wonderful piece that you created with your own hands, your mind and focus, and the time you have spent on perfecting this particular piece. Shouldn’t you be rewarded for your hard work from the simple words of thank you to yet another favor in return that also involves some form of hard work?
I know, this is more of a mumbling drabble than a complete entry, but thinking about hard work in itself really does make me feel a lot more appreciative. If it weren’t for the hard work of my parents, I wouldn’t be here where I am now. I wouldn’t be living a better life in this great country compared to the old country I was born and raised my first ten years at.5 And, most of all, I wouldn’t be having the opportunities that anyone could possibly ever dream of, from the chance to learn new things to have a better way of living and everything else.
I am not a political person, therefore I am registered with no party affiliation at all. I care more about the alignment of the values I learned from the parents and elders of my family along with a real platform that can make our quality of life a lot better. And of course, with that being said, I believe that one person’s accomplishments are a lot more highly value through hard work, rather than just being handed over from someone else who did the hard work for someone else.6 Whether if it was just for enjoyment or from the kindness and sincerity, it’s still hard work. After all, with hard work being put into something you create shows a lot of who you are as a person too.
That’s why I am proud and happy whenever I make something that may be great to my eyes but not so great to others.7 I am a lot more proud and happy whenever someone else likes something I have made even though I may not feel the same. But most of all, I feel a lot proud and happy with just a simple appreciation of all the time, work, and effort that I have installed to the things I build with my own hands, be it a piece of small art, an origami piece, a digital art piece, or even a WordPress theme.
For me, I know I may sound a little greedy with this, but the only time that I would feel appreciated is when someone puts what I make to good use. I’m not talking about something temporary, like “design of the day” and then it gets discarded the next day. If someone likes to do something like that, it would make a whole lot more sense if that someone also put their efforts on their own creations. That’s what I believe in.
It’s late night and I’m half-asleep. Half of what I wrote now probably doesn’t make any sense. But you know, without hard work, there won’t be any progress, no success, no results.8
- ehem. [↩]
- ATCs/artist trading cards, maybe? [↩]
- can’t afford to buy stuff just for giveaways… how about making stuff for giveaways? [↩]
- My middle sister works for Shutterfly, so she gets discounts on papercraft and certain art supplies like cardstock, and I’m fortunate enough to play around with them myself. ???? [↩]
- long story… [↩]
- again. ehem. [↩]
- subjective, of course [↩]
- and this person better read and understand this very carefully… [↩]
July 29, 2016 @ 4:22 am
Agreed that hard work is important. Dedication and diligence really makes a difference, and while for some things, we may lack in skills, but we can make it up with hard work. Like I look at myself — I may not be the most coherent person verbally, but I make up for that with my other strengths when I work. I stumble upon my words a lot, but I’m organised, and I can be very stubborn and determined to see a task through. I think about the days when I did my master. I dedicated a huge chunk of my day everyday to ensure I kept up with all my work. In fact, despite how I may grouse and complain about sometimes, in the end I feel happier knowing I’ve accomplished a lot through hard work, especially when it’s something I am not great at.
I appreciate the value of hard work. I watch my parents work hard, watch my dedicated boss going above and beyond compare to other managers in her feel, and watch how people juggle 1 or more jobs and still manage to go to college and even have a family . . . I am thankful that I learned the value of hard work.
Tara recently posted Blogger Dossiers: Pauline on her blog!
July 29, 2016 @ 11:52 pm
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Tara. I feel though that the ones who don’t get enough credit for the hard work they have done are the parents, who have sacrificed a lot of their own desires to create a better life for their children. I’m sad because I know quite a lot of people who complain so much about their parents with all the nagging and crap that they wished that they would go away or have their own place without the parents around. I know not all parents are perfect (some are just dead beat), but most parents instill their worries and their nagging on us so we can have better decisions on how we lead our own lives as independent people. If you think about it, everyone should be thankful for their parents for giving them life in the first place.
I’m seeing this with a few of my friends in real life. I also see a lot of these on other people’s blogs too. Yes, we can all get angry, but I find it rude for them to write/rant about their own parents and how “lame and annoying” they could be and then going on and on about “it’s my life, I can do whatever I want.” These people (and I’m sorry if I have offended anyone here who does this or hve done this on their own blogs) shouldn’t forget how and where they obtained their life in the first place. Anyway, just saying. ^^
Adri recently posted The Value of Hard Work on her blog!
July 31, 2016 @ 3:06 am
Yes, parents aren’t perfect, but they’re the ones who take care of us and raise us with love — I know I’m thankful to mine! If it weren’t for them I’d have never be the person I am today. Sure, I may grouse about my mother at times, but I deeply love her and my dad. But sometimes, we just need to air out our grievances. I know I rant on Twitter because I need to vent, haha!
Tara recently posted Blogger Dossiers: Pauline on her blog!
July 29, 2016 @ 12:07 pm
Hard work does get you far, but only so far, I guess skills and determination help a lot too. I’m doing what I can with hard work and determination to reach my goals and dreams, even if they changed. Unfortunately, a lot of people want it easy and those squander hand work and just want to cruise throughout life without putting in the effort, but I see it like this: you are what you put in with life, and sometimes that can be good or bad depending on how much you do, and sometimes like with me it isn’t my fault, but I get back up and continue trying
I’ve accomplished a lot in my short time of working, and I’m proud even if they weren’t on the best of circumstances, I still managed to pull it off. <3
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July 29, 2016 @ 11:57 pm
Good to hear Michelle. :)
If you think about it, what drives us to work harder (and smarter) to accomplish our own goals is that we need a form of motivational trigger to push us to work. It annoys me to see others bragging about the things they have and then give credit to others who *gave* them these things. How did these people able to afford such things? By WORKING HARD for them, of course. And what even annoys me even more is that these people who brag about what they have (given by other people) don’t really show their appreciation enough. It’s like, a few times, you’d be wearing a new dress given to you. Then later on, you talk about having a new dress and then thinking of donating (or throwing away) that other new dress that someone has given you. Nothing wrong with donating, but if it were something that I really own using my own money (earned from working hard), I wouldn’t mind, but if it’s a gift, even if it may not last, I would keep it. :)
Be happy always. Keep doing what you always do. Persevere. :)
Adri recently posted The Value of Hard Work on her blog!
July 29, 2016 @ 7:17 pm
Hard work is definitely important! I know sometimes I don’t always try as hard as I could, but usually make some form of effort. And it can be frustrating when you feel like you’re taken advantage or you see people just handed things. Trust me, I know that feeling.
But I guess its most important to be satisfied with yourself.
On a side note the making stuff for a give away sounds awesome! Actually I made have to try that myself.
July 30, 2016 @ 12:00 am
You’ve read my entry before this one and the one before this one, right? :D
That’s why I feel that it’s worth a whole lot more if you go DIY (do it yourself) with everything. It’s like with graphics, web designing, WordPress themes, and what not. I don’t like asking other people to give me something when I could simply just learn them by myself, you know? They take awhile, but the words “hard work” was my main motivation to be a lifelong learner. :)
With ATCs, maybe we can start trading too when the time comes hehe. :D
Adri recently posted The Value of Hard Work on her blog!
July 29, 2016 @ 9:00 pm
Hard work definitely pays off in the long run. The more work you put into creating something, the more you’ll enjoy it. I really loved this entry by the way.
I have made a lot of WordPress themes for myself since 2003, a lot of digital artwork since 2011, and poetry/fiction since 2012. However, I have had at least a few artworks of mine stolen and defaced and uploaded somewhere by this same person and claims it is their work. Uhm, I think not. One of my earlier digital artworks was stolen and defaced, but honestly the person kind of made it better. Still, it was my piece and none of us artists’ enjoy having our art or theme stolen. Ya know? It’s through hardwork and dedication that we take pride in.
I like your idea of the give-away!
Jamie recently posted I won’t quit on her blog!
July 30, 2016 @ 12:03 am
Fanart and other types of (illustrative) artwork, whether traditional or digital, is still a huge issue around the (hobbyist) web designing/development scene. I wish I can be a lot better with my drawing/art skills, but you know, as one person, you can only do so much, right? I love messing with Photoshop and Illustrator and create something cool (primarily for web designs) but I still feel a whole lot more comfortable with pen and paper, you know?
As for the ATCs idea, I think I’m gonna do it that way. Now I just gotta figure out what contests that I’m going to be holding, or some kind of an event LOL. <3
Adri recently posted The Value of Hard Work on her blog!
July 31, 2016 @ 5:30 am
Hard work is important. I have learned that a lot more since starting university and being able to dedicate time to learning things that I care about. Creating art is wonderful. It takes time to improve your skills, but it can be done with a lot of patience and persistence, like a lot of things. :) I actually like to create some things that can be used by others, because it feels like it gives my artworks a bigger purpose. It might just be simple free avatars to use, or printables. :D
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July 31, 2016 @ 8:40 pm
Hi Kya, that’s also my aim too— creating things that can be used (and valued) by others. Apparently, I know a few people who doesn’t get the value behind something they have in their hands specifically created by others for them. I really do wish I have the time and motivation to create these graphics, like avatars or even printables, but I’ve got so many I want to delve into on my plate right now. ^^
Adri recently posted The Value of Hard Work on her blog!