It’s Labor Day weekend in America. This is, traditionally, the official end of summer here. It is our last chance to enjoy all the best bits of summer hedonism. And, for reasons understood by no one, it is also our last chance to wear white clothing until next spring. Theoretically, the holiday is to honor the social and economic achievements, contributions, and sacrifices that American workers made to enrich Elon Musk.
The holiday itself dates to 1894, when President Grover Cleveland created it following a violent railway strike in Chicago. Grover’s conscience was bothering him after the federal troops he sent to Chicago “to restore order” killed 30 striking railway workers (sound familiar?). This murder of Citizens upset enough people that the broligarchy of the First Gilded Age allowed Grover to create the “Labor Day” federal holiday (because it was more cost-effective than letting the peasants eat cake).
SIDE NOTE: The broligarchy of our current Second Gilded Age doesn’t have this problem. Our President does not have a conscience. He is more than happy to let them undermine democracy and replace humans with AI. Just as long as they keep feeding him those sweet, sweet graft dollars and feigned allegiance.
Anyway. This seems like a good time to clarify why “Labor” is one of the Sevenelles. (Short answer: “work” does not start with the letter L.)
ANOTHER SIDE NOTE: When I told my wife about this post, she immediately informed me that “Labor” is a loaded word for mothers, and obtuse males have no business trying to define it or its importance.
Duly noted. When I speak of “Labor,” I’m not talking about earning a paycheck working for The Man. Don’t get me wrong. There is no shame in working for The Man. I have done it most of my life. Trust-fund babies aside, most of us have to work to eat and find shelter. But working for a paycheck is not the soul-satisfying element that “Labor” refers to here. I am talking about the work you do to benefit yourself, your family, and humanity. The stuff that you’re proud to leave in your Legacy.
For example, you may make great money with International Toilet & Bidet, Inc, traveling the world to install custom-made, gold-plated bidets for the rich and tasteless. And that is great. If you enjoy the work and it puts food on the table, keep it up. But at the end of the day, you probably don’t find great personal satisfaction in pampering the assholes of the Epstein-class. The Sevenelles’ “Labor” is the other work you do in life. The work you do for free because it holds value for you. (Mazel tov to those lucky enough to find work that enriches both their souls and their bank accounts!) No matter what it is, satisfying work is good for the soul.
In Proverbs 16:27, it is written: “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop“*. This is evidently a prophecy that foretold the birth and reign of Keith Richards. It also implies we are more contented when we have valuable work to do. But beware. All work and no play makes Jack Nicholson a cinema legend. I am the last of six sons who all inherited their father’s workaholism (yeah, that too). The upside: it has been instrumental in my financial success. The downside: it has undermined my success in the other parts of life. Labor needs to be held in proper balance with the other Sevenelles.
Which brings us to our short definition of Labor:
Labor (work) isn’t just about making a living; it’s about making a difference. Whether you’re a teacher, artist, mechanic, or caregiver, meaningful work adds purpose to life. The philosopher Kahlil Gibran said, “Work is love made visible.” Find something that challenges and fulfills you, and give it your best effort. Service to others—whether through your job or acts of kindness—turns labor into legacy. Do good work, and take pride in it.
Click Here to Dig Deeper Into Labor
* – Note that the exact quote may differ depending on which of the 900 English versions of the infallible word of God you happen to read.