The first Monday of September is a day that we celebrate as a national holiday.
Labor day is the unofficial end of Summer. Well, Mother Nature doesn’t think so as 90 degree temperatures and high humidity are going to return to the northeast United States this week.
It is the unofficial start of a new school year. Really? I have been stuck behind school buses on my way to work for two weeks now.
I’m pretty sure there is a very pregnant woman in a hospital somewhere who is done with being in labor and may be screaming, “Get this baby out of me NOW!” She’s not getting a day off.
Ironically, on the holiday that is supposed to be a respite for laborers, many employers are forcing their employees to provide labor to meet the demands of Labor Day Weekend specials. There is something terribly wrong with that scenario!
“Labor of Love.” Dictionary.com’s definition is: work done for the sake of one’s own enjoyment or of benefit to others rather than for material rewards. Wait a minute now. The labor provided by a big box store employee on a national holiday benefits the employer, who gets the material reward. I’m sure there are not too many employees who love their job on that day.
Labor Unions. Those who are protected by them may love them. Most employers hate them.
The fact is, there is no holiday or day off from labor.
We are constantly working.
Does a mother of three young boys get a day off? No.
Does a recovering alcoholic get a free day to have “just one”? No.
Does a widow/widower not miss their spouse? No.
So you see there is no day off from our lives.
We have four bodies: Physical, Emotional, Mental, and Spiritual. They don’t play equal parts in creating the wholeness of our being. They form a symbiotic and beneficial relationship with one another.
A marathon runner whose physical body is breaking down may tap into his/her mental body to keep motivated until the finish line. A person struggling with depression may go for a run to “clear their head.” People may wake every morning and say a prayer before they get out of bed to help get them through the day.
Today, take a moment to celebrate YOU. You deserve it. No one knows what it is like to be you.
We all have strengths and weakness in our four bodies. But if we alternate exercise and rest/recovery we are sure to become stronger.
Be strong. Get Stronger. Stay Strong.
Here’s to you!
Be Kind. Be Thankful. Be Significant.
Peter
