“Labor was the first price, the original purchase–money that was paid for all things.  It was not by gold or by silver, but by labor, that all wealth of the world was originally purchased.”  ~Adam Smith

I love what I do for a living, but I coach a lot of people who are not fulfilled by the work they do, demonstrated by their answer to this question: If you won the lottery, would you still do what you currently do for a living?

The answer is generally “No!” They might want to provide the same service, but not for their current employer.

Most people would stop working where they’re working if the need to earn money were not keeping them shackled to their desks.

Yet, they would like to do something that brings them a sense of meaning, purpose and fulfillment. Something that makes their soul sing, so to speak, something that allows them to feel like they’re contributing to the betterment of the world as they define it.

Back in the day (like before electronics) we used to work with our hands. Studies show that those who do so live longer than those who don’t. This includes all craftwork, cooking, gardening, writing and the like.

Meaningful, rewarding work (and I’m not speaking financially here) is paramount to one’s quality of life.

And while meaningful work is important, taking a break is, too.

Labor Day (that’s Labour Day for all my Canadian readers) was established to celebrate laborers and to give them a day of rest.

Maybe this Labor Day we all might do that—rest and reflect—and acknowledge and take stock of what’s truly meaningful. Things like:

1. That we have a job at all—there are many who don’t;
2. That we legs and arms and eyes and ears that work—at least most of the time;
3. That we own a computer and can afford internet access and have a mind that can absorb these words;
4. That our children are returning to school tomorrow.

Because they are blessings, all.

“Labor Day is a glorious holiday because your child will be going back to school the next day.  It would have been called Independence Day, but that name was already taken.” ~Bill Dodds