Hazel Ticas

March 6, 2026

Why I'm Grateful for Hardwork: Lessons From My Father

Growing up, my dad taught me that work was the solution to life’s most common problems. Work, he believed, provided not only a means to survive: it provided belonging, purpose, and a way to rise above difficult situations.
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For my dad, work was deeply personal: it helped him rise above poverty and protect his family from civil war and gang violence. Work was his shield against the world: he worked tirelessly and without complaint, pursuing every opportunity for a better life.
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He taught me that the value of work cannot be overstated. At his side, I learned to use a drill, drive a stick shift, and fix a leaky faucet. Though I sometimes found it difficult as a child, I look back to the lessons he taught me about the purpose and dignity of hard work.
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Work gives us the means to care for our families, find belonging, and develop purpose. It saved my dad, and I believe it still holds the power to solve the challenges we face today.
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I am grateful for the lessons of hard work that I learned from my father.
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Hazel Ticas Medical Student, Non-Profit Founder, and Author.