Tell us about your first day at something — school, work, as a parent, etc.
The piece reflects on unremarkable first days in various life events, emphasizing the significance of work. Initially burdened and unsure, the author slowly found satisfaction and purpose through hard work. This experience revealed the importance of dedication in transforming a novice into a professional, enriching their life journey despite past hardships.
Even after giving it a hard thought, I do not remember any remarkable or impactful first day. It went off plainly without excitement. There were many firsts: when I joined a job, when I tied the nuptial knot, when I became the father of a lovely daughter, when I purchased my first car or when I shifted into my newly constructed home…
Despite several firsts, I did not feel the excitement or any sense of accomplishment. There are several reasons for this apathy but discussing them here would be out of context. So, coming back to my firsts.
Out of several firsts, I would underscore my first day on the job because that was the day when, after a long time, I was assured of getting a square meal, which meant a lot. It was also an assurance of a modest future. These thoughts hovered over my mind suppressing other feelings. The day laid the foundation of my wish for a “self-made man”.
Well, sounds selfish? It is a selfish approach for those who pose to live for family and others but my thinking is different.
Life is like a train journey. Like a train, it allows us to see different shades of life while travelling, from pleasant scenes to the thrill of river crossing on a bridge and not-so-interesting scenes. It connects the beholder with life incidents.
From infancy to adulthood and from youth to advanced age, life is a continuous process of learning. It involves starting a task and tackling it with commitment and vigour to finish it. First hesitation or scepticism fades away after successfully finishing the task, resulting in immense satisfaction and pleasure.
I still remember my first day at my maiden job. The day was hot with blazing sun. After deboarding the train, I tramped up to three kilometres from the railway station to join the office. Homeless, with a frugal few hundred bucks, I had nothing. The place, nevertheless, was going to be my permanent address and the job a permanent one.
It was an entirely new experience. Like a new restless calf bull having a yoke around its neck for the first time, initially, I felt caged and burdened. Gradually, with time, the restlessness waned.
While sipping tea in a local tea stall, a display board attracted my attention that read that if a door seems closed, another is opened by the Almighty. It reminds me of Alexander Graham Bell, who said, “When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and do regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us”. What a foolish behaviour I was showing, I thought. A realization dawned, and I murmured to myself that my current was reality. The work needed to be done with full dedication.
Gradually, with involvement, I started picking up things. With a deepening understanding, my interest also started growing proportionately leading to pleasure. The more I was involved in my work; the more was the bliss. My superiors were more than happy with my performance, giving me satisfaction and encouragement. It had become clear to me that work is worship because it was the work which acted as a holdfast to ground me always. The dedication transforms a doer into an expert professional.
I was stopped by the guard on duty at the portal of a grand and imposing building. After carefully examining my papers, he guided me to go to a hall, pointing towards a direction. As I was a total novice, my mannerisms and behaviour were ludicrous and funny. After wandering in labyrithine corridors of the building, I finally reached the required hall. There was a crowd of about ten people, swarmed around a table across which a man was sitting with piles of papers and files. After a while, hesitatingly, I gave him my papers. With a dignified affection, my papers were taken. He directed me to give him my letter of joining. I was perplexed as I had given every paper. Sensing my condition, he politely told me to copy the contents of what another person was writing. I did as directed. After accepting my papers, he told me to wait for a while.
A gentleman whose demeanour was authoritative came after a while and occupied the central table. Handing over an order sheet he directed me to go to a particular section. I went there to complete the process. After a few brief formalities, I was directed to report to a branch. A man accompanied me up to the place and introduced me to the in charge of that branch. I was offered a desk. Seating on my assigned desk, I cast an eye around. Ostensibly a crowded room was bustling with activities. Men and women were at work. Some were doing their work while some were busy searching for something.
There was a wave of curiosity and interest. They already knew about someone’s new joining. On my arrival, they behaved like a flock of ducks who started quacking on anything that amused them. They inquisitively started enquiring about me. Perplexed and feeling awkward, I tried to reply to their queries in the humblest manner I could show.
After the office was over, I came out of the building. The city was new but not alien. I had no place to rest or spend the night. I decided to spend the night on the railway platform, but soon, I discarded the idea. With the frugal money that I had, it seemed impossible to sustain for long. There was no way out. I hired a room in a lodge, freshened myself and slept without eating anything as I did not want to spend the money recklessly.
While sitting alone in the room, suddenly, I burst into tears. I had received not what I wanted, but I did not let loose the frill of hope. I needed to be strong. Yesterday had become my past. My old city, which did not give me much, was left behind. Friends, acquaintances and places of cities were going to be etched on my mind as past happenings. They often come to my mind and make me nostalgic. Various experiences transport me to different worlds.
After so much time looking back and revisiting those moments, I realize what I gained or lost. As I said, it is a journey where most of the unfolded things unfold, giving an experience that enriches our thought process and, in turn, the quality of life.
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