Does the ginkgo exclaim how hard it works during autumn? Do you hear shrieks of exasperation? Of course not. It goes about its business of treeness and pushes its auxins.The yellow floods its leaves, then they drop and illustrate the street.
Why does the notion exist among human beings that effort equals result? It reminds me of the "Little League" mentality that everyone gets a trophy for hard work. What happens when a batter swings at the third pitch and misses? He's out! It doesn't matter how hard he tried. The effort did not produce a result.
Imagine the man who loves to work with his hands. He carves boxes designed with robins and roses. Purchasers love his work. One day he decides to take a ceramics class to learn how to throw pots. He spends four weeks throwing clay and the pots lean right and left. Some have thin sides and heavy bases. The wheel races, his fingers slipping in the water. Drippings cover him with gray. He's worked so hard with his hands but this new procedure defies his understanding. The result does not represent his accomplishments of the past. What has he learned from the process? He thought he could just crank it out as an artist but did not realize the nuances and techniques necessary to learn a new skill. Does he keep trying?
Hard work has value as it improved discipline and provides the opportunity for results. Many times one must fail in order to succeed.
Think about learning a new skill. How did "hard work" translate into result. . . or not?
How did failure assist the process?
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