A Different Take On Labour Day and Prosperity

Happy Labour Day!!

Are you working today? 

Are you bemoaning the fact that Labour Day is traditionally viewed as the end of summer? 

Are you spending a last day with family before the kids return to school?

A little review of history shows that the first Labor Day in North America was celebrated as
far back as the late 1800’s, and it actually had its origins in the “Eight Hour Day” (or 40-hour week) movement.

That movement proposed that every 24-hour workday be split into three 8-hour segments
 - 8 hours for work, 8 hours for recreation and 8 hours for rest.

Now, I don’t know about you, but most of my days aren’t that evenly split.  In fact, there have been days when I didn’t remember what the word ‘recreation’ meant, and it’s worth drilling down on that as well…

Recreation can be defined as ‘refreshment of health or spirits by relaxation and enjoyment’.
It is, literally, a pause in the regular routine of activities in order to re-create ourselves and maintain balance and good health.

Whether you’re an employee or entrepreneur, I doubt that you are able to live the balanced life the Eight Hour Day movement envisioned on a consistent basis.  Work demands are higher than ever, with fewer employees being called on to produce an ever-increasing
volume of work.

We are stressed out, overwhelmed, racing the clock, under the deadline and then we hit
the wall - sometimes, literally!  Short-term and long-term disability figures are rising and
stress-based illnesses are more and more often the reason for prolonged absences from work.

Our culture seems to demand more…more…MORE!! from us and we feel less and less
well-equipped to deliver.

Our obsession with ‘MORE’ has clouded our understanding of what prosperity is.  Too often, when you ask someone why they are killing themselves with work to get “x” and why they want “x” anyway, they can’t give you a solid reason. 

The media made them want it, their next-door neighbour or boss has it so they think they should want and have it too…

…But what do they really want?

What do YOU really want?

Work is important because it provides service to others, for which they pay us.  Our revenues allow us to pursue the life that we deem appropriate for us and for our families. 

How we generate, and use, these revenues has a huge impact on our health and wellbeing.

Is it prosperity to have large sums on account but such poor health that we can’t get out of bed to enjoy the fruits of our labours?

Is it prosperity to be so devoted to work that you end up divorced…estranged from your children and alone?

Is it prosperity to have the latest technological gadgets, big home, cars, boats, or other playthings, only to lose them to repossession when you can’t keep up the payments?

Remember that ‘prosperity’ is ‘a successful, flourishing or thriving condition’ – and that means in every aspect of your life.

Ensure that you also have prosperity in your relationships, in your health, in your intellectual, spiritual and self-development pursuits.

Allow time for creativity, joy and fun – these are also necessary for your ultimate prosperity.

At the end of the day, we are not our bank accounts.  We are the sum of every moment of every day and how well we have lived them.

This Labour Day, please take a moment and look at how your days are divided. 

You may never achieve the perfect 8-8-8 that the Eight Hour Day movement envisioned,
but you can decide to bring more balance into your life and so be able to enjoy your true prosperity longer.

Wishing you health and wealth!

"Wealth is the ability to fully experience life." ~ Henry David Thoreau