Labor Day is a day that was established to recognize the achievements of the American worker and was officially observed as a national holiday beginning in 1894.   It is a day that we often celebrate with picnics, public gatherings and parades, or shopping Labor Day sales which ironically are not tied to the meaning of the national holiday in any way.  Having been established so long ago and with the changes in working environments brought about by unions and protests, the meaning behind the holiday seems to have been lost.  For most people today, Labor Day signals the end of summer.  The end of sun filled days spent frolicking outdoors, the beginning of shorter daylight hours and the approaching cold weather of winter.  

I have always found it interesting and sad that this day has lost so much of its original meaning.  So many people can’t remember the difference between Labor Day and Memorial Day identifying them as the same just one is in the spring, the other the fall and they are not quite sure which is which.  (Simple hack here, Memorial Day is in May.)  I get it, having a paid day off work (or even just an extra day off work in the week) is always something to celebrate.  And, yes, the reasons behind the day have been muddied by time, memories and a changing culture but I still find it sad that we seem to forget lessons once learned by others.  

Maybe though, the true lesson for this day is there will always be change.  The day originally signaled a change in the way the American worker was perceived and treated and now Labor Day signals a change of seasons.  Truly, change is an important aspect of our lives.  Without change there is no opportunity for growth. Like stagnant water, when we don’t change, life begins to die.  So here is to celebrating change on Labor Day, whether it is harkening back to the changes made for the working class or to the current changing of seasons!  Happy Labor Day friends!

Here is to embracing change on your heartfelt journey! ~♥~

https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/labor-day-1