It feels like I wrote and posted this letter yesterday; oh, it was. The random generator pulled up the letter from Labor Day a couple of weeks ago. This letter supported my belief that daily publishing has improved my stories and writing. The essay on work and labor day felt good. A few final design and layout changes were also in this letter.

And Animal on the drums!?

Below is the copy of the original post, enjoy!

Animal on drums.

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Happy Labor Day! Here are a couple of quick stories you can read tomorrow. A historical perspective on Labor Day and how losing resentment and gaining gratitude can help you love your work. Laugh with silly people and watch Animal play the drums with the band Goose to finish the day.

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A quick history of Labor Day: It became a national holiday in the late 1800s during a railroad crisis, and the first Labor Day parade may have been a protest. Labor Day may have been born from the need for workers to negotiate working conditions to keep the machines running. Today, it's less about workers' rights and more about another three-day weekend, and there is nothing wrong with an extra day of rest. In the U.S., in the 21st Century, a regular work schedule is about as antiquated as the school year relating to farming seasons.

I've been lucky and fortunate throughout my work life to be able to do the things I want to do. I've even made it past the part of my life where I resent the hours and realized that I like working as much as going to the gym or socializing. Instead of finding hobbies or picking up golf, I learn about emerging technologies or programming music and see if I can turn that knowledge into a product or service.

Here's another piece of contrarian advice: reduce the chase for passion. I like technology, organization, and system results; nobody talks to a parent or guidance counselor and says, “I dream of being a consultant.” Everything else I love to do fits into that category: writing, design, creativity, and even music. I spent many years under the false assumption my passion would show up or my businesses would be so successful that I could follow my passion; in the end, I've always followed my passion. If that doesn't resonate, do what I tell my kiddos ad nauseam – figure out what you don't want to do first, then work to do what you want, but the only way to figure out it's something you don't want to do is to do it.

The unemployment rate in the U.S. has been less than 4% for more than a year. Most data suggests the market will benefit the worker for a while. That means there will be more opportunities to do more types of work, and for those willing to branch out of their comfort zone, new experiences will be abundant.

Had not so many others gone before me, my ability to do the work I like to do would not be possible. Rest and relaxation are also part of building results; burnout and overwork hurt the mind like overtraining hurts muscles and performance. As disciplined as the Stoics were thousands of years ago, they took rest days, or rest days from labor; those were the days they contemplated and wrote what much of society uses today to form productive communities. 

Happy Labor Day! Special thanks to all the first responders, teachers, healthcare providers, and essential workers who make it possible for the rest of us to do what we do. Thank you to all those who protect and serve in our military and our cities and towns who swore an oath to protect a new democracy, even if, at times, we become what threatens it the most. Gratitude for what we've been given by those who labored before us and the honor of standing up for it is all we need to succeed.

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Let's finish off a day of relaxation in celebration of work with laughter. This story from DailyBee will make you laugh.

Why not watch Animal play the drums on Labor Day! If anyone or anything loved work as much as Animal loves playing the drums, we haven't seen it. This popped up in the feed, and we've never heard of the band Goose, but if you can get Animal to guest at your concert, you have a special place in our hearts.

Sounds better with Animal, but still good.

Click on the Apple Music image to listen to the song on Apple Music or on the Spotify Image to listen to Spotify.

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Thank you for spending a few minutes with us. Here’s one for the road!

With A Shout newsletter is written by Johnny Christian with the support of a thousand idea bits and the help of many people.

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