The value of work
Work gives you a sense of purpose and meaning by allowing you to pursue your dreams. Work can shape your identity by shaping how you see yourself. It enriches and sustains you. When we say ‘work’ we mean both paid employment and unpaid engagements such as household chores or any volunteering endeavors. Rastika Shakya from ApEx spoke to three people, from different fields, to know what work means to them and how it impacts their lives.
Meena Shrestha, 60
I’m an office helper at a ward office in Lalitpur. My responsibilities include cleaning the office and making meals for the rest of the staff. I take immense pride in my work and firmly believe that no task is small or insignificant. Every job deserves respect. For me, work is essential as I find it difficult to remain idle for long periods. I’m grateful for my job as it keeps me busy. It also gives me financial freedom. I don’t think any work can or should be assigned to a particular gender.
Bhale Lama, 33
For eight years, I have been selling vegetables. This is how I’m able to provide for my family and send my children to school. I have my own cart and I feel blessed to have what I have. Not many people are as fortunate. My wife also works and we support each other. I’m happy with what we have. I believe doing your own thing and living a happy life is better than working for someone else.
Suresh Thakur, 55
I’ve been a barber for over 30 years. I own a small shop in Patan and everything is going well. I’m able to provide for my family and meet our needs. What makes me even happier is that I’ve been able to educate my children in a place as expensive as Kathmandu. For me, work is a source of satisfaction. I believe that your hard work will pay off one day, so you must keep working diligently. It’s important to never cheat and not be afraid to work hard.
Good Reads
The Pivot Year
Biranna West
Self Help
This is the year you change your life. If you’re in a pivot period—if you’re still bridging the space between where you are and where you want to be—remember that the person you’re becoming is already within you. The journey is convincing your mind to act consistently on what your heart already knows it wants to do. The Pivot Year is a book of 365 daily meditations on finding the courage to become who you’ve always wanted to be.
The Do-Over
Lynn Painter
Romance / YA
Emilie is stuck in some sort of time loop nightmare that she can’t wake up from as she re-watches her boyfriend, Josh, cheating on her day after day. In addition to Josh’s recurring infidelity, Emilie can’t get away from the enigmatic Nick, who she keeps running into—sometimes literally—in unfortunate ways. How many days can one girl passively watch her life go up in flames? And when something good starts to come out of these terrible days, what happens when the universe stops doling out do-overs?
The Book of Doors
Gareth Brown
Fantasy
In New York City, bookseller Cassie Andrews is living an unassuming life when she is given a gift by a favorite customer. It’s an unusual book, full of strange writing and mysterious drawings. And at the front, there is a handwritten message to Cassie, telling her that this is the Book of Doors, and that any door is every door. What Cassie is about to discover is that the Book of Doors is a special book that bestows extraordinary powers on whoever possesses it, and soon she and her best friend Izzy are exploring all that the Book of Doors can do.
Good Reads
Wrong Place Wrong Time
Gillian McAllister
Mystery | Thriller
She doesn’t know who the victim is, or why Todd has committed such a devastating act of violence. All she knows is that her life, and Todd’s, have been shattered. After her son is taken into custody, Jen falls asleep in despair. But when she wakes up, it’s yesterday. The murder has not happened yet—and there may be a chance to stop it. Each morning, when Jen wakes, she is further back in the past, first weeks, then years, before the murder. And Jen realizes that somewhere in the past lies the trigger for Todd’s terrible crime and it’s her mission to find it, and prevent it from taking place.
Japanese Candlestick Charting Techniques
Steve Nison
Finance | Business
A longstanding form of technical analysis, Japanese candlestick charts are a dynamic and increasingly popular technical tool for traders of all skill levels. Known for its versatility, this ancient charting can be fused with every other technical tool available, including traditional Western technical analysis. Japanese Candlestick Charting Techniques is the most comprehensive and trusted guide to this essential technique. Informed by years of research from a pioneer trader, this book covers everything you need to know, including hundreds of examples that show how candlestick techniques can be used in all of today’s markets.
How Not to Die
Michael Greger and Gene Stone
Health
From the physician behind the wildly popular website NutritionFacts.org, How Not to Die reveals the groundbreaking scientific evidence behind the only diet that can prevent and reverse many of the causes of disease-related death. The vast majority of premature deaths can be prevented through simple changes in diet and lifestyle. In How Not to Die, Dr Michael Greger examines the 15 top causes of premature death in America—heart disease, various cancers, diabetes, Parkinson’s, high blood pressure, and more—and explains how nutritional and lifestyle interventions can sometimes trump prescription pills and other pharmaceutical and surgical approaches, freeing us to live healthier lives.
Goals take you where you are meant to be
Goals play a crucial role in your life. Without goals, you feel aimless and lack motivation. Achieving your goals fills you with a sense of pride and happiness. Even if you don’t achieve everything you set out to, goals give you a sense of direction and purpose. Rastrika Shakya from ApEx talked to three people to find out where their childhood dreams led them.
Shambhu Puri, Fashion designer
As a child, I often imagined my future career with excitement. Growing up in a middle-class family of eight instilled a sense of responsibility in me, especially since my father passed away early. From a young age, I wanted to become a doctor. But after completing higher secondary education, I had a difficult decision to make due to family circumstances and I shifted my focus from medicine to fashion design. Although this was a significant career change, I embraced it with unwavering determination and hard work. I began to receive orders and eventually launched my clothing brand, ‘Sam Sui Clothing’. I had the opportunity to work on various projects, including music videos, notable Nepali movies, TV commercials, reality shows, and many more. My journey has not been without challenges, but I have learned that the fashion industry demands perseverance and hard work. While my childhood dream might have been unfulfilled, I have found my passion.
Sumikchya Shakya, Chemical engineering student
As a child, I wanted to become a doctor. The idea of healing and helping others held a strong appeal for me, and I envisioned a future where I could make a positive impact on people’s lives through medicine. However, time went on and my interest changed. I found myself drawn towards the field of chemical engineering. The allure of problem-solving, innovation, and the potential to contribute to advancements in technology and manufacturing became predominant in my life. While my career path took a different direction than what I initially imagined, I’m grateful for the opportunities and fulfillment that my chosen field has provided me.
Unique Rajak, Data engineer
As a child, I always dreamed of becoming an engineer. Engineering always intrigued me because it offered the opportunity to apply logical thinking and creativity to build and fix things. I loved the feeling of accomplishment that came with creating something new. As I grew older, my journey took a different path and I explored different fields within engineering. I found myself increasingly drawn to the world of data and technology. The power and potential of data-driven solutions captivated me, and I realized that becoming a data engineer would allow me to combine my passion for problem-solving with cutting-edge technology. I struggled to secure an academic internship and had to settle for a different role to complete my degree. Now, as a data engineer, I get to design, build, and optimize data systems and pipelines, using my skills and knowledge to make an impact in the digital landscape.
