As the Labor Day weekend approaches, I wonder how many of us will take off even one day from our labors and enjoy some down time. I know I will…at least portions of one day throughout the weekend, if not more.
I decided to look into the history of Labor Day and learned:
“Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.” U.S. Dept. of Labor
I look at my own labors and ponder what contributions I have made. I know I’ve written many articles that have educated and informed businesses and consumers, so I guess that has contributed to the well-being of our country. But today I’d like to contribute some words of wisdom on the value of enjoying some down time.
For me, taking some time to do nothing is a vital necessity. It helps to clear the clutter from my brain. It gives me a fresh mind and renewed energy. It provides an opportunity to step back from the daily grind, responsibilities and pressures to experience the finer things in life…peace and quiet. A walk in the woods or bike ride on the trail are my favorite ways to enjoy down time, but I don’t have to wait for a holiday to do that. I can use those activities throughout my week to help refresh my mind, body and spirit so I don’t get burned out by work or other stresses.
That time away from the world also re-energizes my outlook and prepares me for what lies ahead. When I come back to my work and responsibilities, I find myself with a smile on my face and an uplifted attitude, and the work tends to flow more easily. For example, I’ve been working with others on wording for a rack card to promote a church — a project that’s been ongoing for months. The parties could not agree on some critical wording. So we put away the project and I gave a presentation on how to meditate. During that 15 minutes of meditation, the right words flowed effortlessly from my mind. How productive that down time was…and it was only 15 minutes!
Enjoy your Labor Day weekend and be sure to enjoy some down time. You’ll be happy you did! I’m positive your contributions will provide added strength, prosperity and well-being to your lives as well as the lives of others.
