In praise of hard work

The Bible says, "Deny yourself and take up your cross." When we put that into everyday words it has to do with self discipline and hard work. It speaks of unselfishness and commitment to something greater than ourselves.

The Bible doesn't have an "exclusive" on those words. We can find almost the same thing written in the teachings of Buddha, in the Koran written by Mohammad and in the Little Red Book with the sayings of Chairman Mao Zedong of the Republic of China. All four sources tell us to think beyond ourselves, focus on commitment to others and work hard. Do you know of anything of note ever accomplished without the overriding effort of hard work?

Ignacy Jan Paderewski, a great pianist, said he never missed a day of practice and his sessions often ran on for hours. Michael Phelps talks about rolling out of bed every morning at half past five to swim laps for two hours before school. His sacrifice resulted in his shelf full of gold medals and a place in Olympic history. Computer genius Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard University and started his computer software company in a garage. He made his first computer out of spare parts from old radios and X-ray machines. His genius is legendary, and his commitment and dedication has revolutionized the world's communications and information sharing. He still hasn't graduated from Harvard.

Mothers of recognized geniuses have often testified that another child in the family had the greater talent, yet the one who had the greatest determination and worked the hardest was the one who succeeded at the highest levels.

America has long been called the land of opportunity. That phrase -- land of opportunity -- tells us that one has the opportunity to achieve much. It does not say that much will be given to us, or that if we live here we will be rich. It says, instead, that we have an opportunity. Those who become successful put forth the effort and the hours of labor. They may deny themselves today's rewards and focus on goals that may be years away from fulfillment. They plan, they commit, and they work.

When Pablo Casals, one of the world's greatest musicians, died at the age of 99, he was in his music room -- practicing. Almost 100 years old and still practicing. We have all heard it said "Ohhhh, if I had his talent, I would do wonders." No -- the real answer to the old joke about a visitor to New York City asking, "How do I get to Madison Square Garden?" is, in fact, "practice, practice, practice."