Hi everyone,
Happy Labour Day weekend. Long weekends are often seen as simply days off, but all of them celebrate some common aspect of our life as a society and this one is a biggie in my world. So this week I have been musing about work. Labour.
In the ancient liturgy at the end of life there is an ancient prayer that goes like this: “We give thanks that she/he who knew creative labour, joy and suffering now shares Christ’s risen life and happiness.” Since ancient times “creative labour” has been a core element of what it means to be alive. I have long believed that creative labour is one of the core elements of ongoing mental and physical health. John C Maxwell, American writer, pastor and teacher of leadership has said, “We are created for meaningful work, and one of life’s greatest pleasures is the satisfaction of a job well done.” It is not an understatement to say that the value of a job well done was one of the core lessons of my upbringing.
However, Labour Day is not just a celebration of creative labour. It is a celebration of the movement that has protected creative labour and human work from exploitation. As the bumper sticker used to say, “The 5 Day Work Week: brought to you by the Labour Movement.”
This weekend in its origins is a celebration of the gift of creative labour and all who help to protect its dignity and goodness from exploitation. This weekend, whether you are just starting out in your working life, are in the wild fray of a career, or looking back in retirement, may you be blessed with a feeling of satisfaction that your life includes the dignity of meaningful, purposeful, creative labour.
Happy Labour Day.
Blessings, Will