For many of us, Labor Day means little more than a holiday that marks the beginning of the school year and the end of summer. Like many of our holidays and traditions, somehow the meaning has been lost. In fact, I had to do a little research for this post, myself.

Labor Day was introduced in the 1880s in a time where the workers’ rights were still quite meager. The Industrial Revolution resulted in a boom in the economy and increased quality of life for many – but at the expense of workers who put in 12 hour days, 6-7 days/week and sometimes in some pretty wretched work environments.

Labor Day was instituted to recognize and acknowledge the hard-working men and women who were keeping the factories and plants going. It seems that it was a step toward finding a better work/life balance, which, interestingly, many politicians and business owners were in favor of. (If everyone is working all the time, then no one goes to the stores or restaurants!)

Today, many people still work very hard, but conditions and work hours are generally nothing like they were in the 1800s. Most people work 5-6 days/week, have paid time off and other benefits. Yes, there are almost always things that we wish were different, but overall, most of us have a lot to be thankful for.

In fact, for all the talk about the “1%-ers”… it is important that we recognize that nearly all of us reading this (since you are no-doubt on a computer or smartphone), when taken on a global scale, WE are all the 1%-ers.

And, in a historic sense, we’re like the 0.001%-ers! It’s pretty crazy.

So, happy Labor Day! Hard work is a good thing – but so is resting and enjoying the fruit of your labor. I hope you have a wonderful day!