Happy Monday!
Omgosh, it’s hot! I’m a cool weather person, and this crazy heat is certainly not my jam. I hope you found a place to rest and refresh this weekend. Maybe you’re planning a gathering today for Labor Day. We have a great reason to celebrate the past and present laborers and offer our gratitude whenever possible.
In the U.S., today is the day we recognize and celebrate the socioeconomic milestones of our workers. It’s a day when the strength of our laborers is recognized because they led the way for more equitable opportunities to achieve financial security and a greater realization of wellbeing.
The U.S. Department of Labor states:
“American labor has raised the nation’s standard of living and contributed to the greatest production the world has ever known, and the labor movement has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pays tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation’s strength, freedom, and leadership – the American worker.”
This quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is one of my favorites:
American laborers have traditionally modeled dignity in raising the standard of living that we enjoy today.
Others have similar thoughts on the subject:
“I learned the value of hard work by working hard.”
Margaret Mead
“Rest when you’re weary. Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit. The get back to work.”
Ralph Marston
“Without ambition, one starts nothing. Without work, one finishes nothing. The prize will not be sent to you. You have to win it.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
Steve Jobs
“Opportunity is missed by most because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”
Thomas Edison
Here are some thoughts from Scripture:
“You will definitely enjoy what you’ve worked hard for you’ll be happy, and things will go well for you.” Psalm 128:2 (CEB)
“Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage.” Ecclesiastes 5:18 (NKJV)
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (ESV)
Those who labor with integrity continue to uplift humanity with dignity. For this reason, our commemoration of what began in earnest in the 1900s continues today. Laborers have earned our honor and respect; we owe them a debt of gratitude for working hard to ensure our wellbeing. Today we thank the many workers for their unfailing toil and compassion, without which we would not enjoy many of our comforts.
Enjoy the day and convey gratitude to the laborers you know and will encounter this week!
Be Well & Be Blessed!
Lucinda
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