Are you celebrating Labor today?

It’s Labor Day, today, in the United States. Like many holidays, we tend to take some time off and enjoy the day, but we don’t think much about the meaning and history of the day.

Labor Day was created to celebrate the contributions of the American worker in response to strikes, protests, and riots that occurred during the 1800s. Workers were upset about the oppressive conditions that accompanied the Industrial Revolution.

Today, I am very grateful for my fellow workers and my own ability to work. Work is one of the things that allows me to make a contribution rather than be a drag on the community.

Part of the message of Labor Day, however, is that work can be oppressive under certain conditions. We’d like to think that this is in the rear-view mirror of history. Unfortunately, it’s not.

Some people work full-time jobs doing honest work and pinching pennies, but are unable to feed their families. As a community, we need to continue to implement solutions to that problem.

Organizations, also, have a responsibility to ensure that their employees thrive in a positive environment.

As an individual, you have the responsibility to make good choices and not fall prey to "freedom thieves". I hear from people all the time who are working more than a reasonable work load, and can’t find time to enjoy life. For many of us, our own personal choices are the culprit.

I hope you will resolve today to make work something that you are grateful for rather than oppressed by.?