Labor Day may have been set up to pay tribute to the worker, but it has become just another excuse for a barbecue. This holiday weekend has become less of a celebration to our American workers and more of a depressing reminder that summer is officially over. Let’s keep in mind that while we are taking Monday September 7th off, plenty of other employees will be grumbling because they have to work to make sure we can still buy groceries, shop for back to school items, be entertained, dine out, etc which is great for most of us. However if this is truly a holiday that is a celebration of the American worker, the least we can do is show some gratitude and celebrate the jobs we have.
Let’s reclaim this Labor Day by returning to work on Tuesday, with a little different attitude than usual. Celebrate our jobs by remembering our ancestors and their work ethics and basic values. They displayed dignity and endured by doing whatever it took to get the job done right. There was nothing wrong with them for working at whatever job they could get because they truly understood the value of a hard day’s work.
Perhaps we should celebrate this Labor Day simply by understanding that instead of feeling stagnated at work we should be happy we have a job. Instead of feeling that the long hours we devote to our jobs are not getting us anywhere, we can feel confident that it’s this commitment which has kept us employed. Some of us think there should be more laughter and fun at our jobs, but maybe we should realize it beats the heck out of crying that we have no job at all. Perhaps you don’t feel you have accomplished very much at the end of your work day. Well, maybe you need to take responsibility for that one too; because we all have the ability to add value to our jobs on a daily basis.
Now of course we all know those solid employees who are up-beat and optimistic. They understand that they have the ability to breathe new life into a company. It’s not a job to them. They want to be part of the team; they have a commitment to their clients, coworkers and to their company. If we watch them closely we will see they are positive, upbeat individuals. They happen to be just plain happy people, on or off the job. They have stable, fulfilling lives, they have interests outside of work, and they are confident in their abilities. Sure they have their ups and downs like the rest of us but they understand that’s part of their life too. And if you ask them, you will find that they are grateful for their jobs and everything else in their life.
For those of you still grumbling about your boss, company or coworkers; remember, there are plenty of people who have been laid off recently. Perhaps if you invite them to your barbeque and listen to their concerns you will celebrate Labor Day a little differently.
By Jennifer Reynolds
