One thing that we all agreed on: we all worked so hard but we delighted in our work. We felt the passion, the energy each day because our labor uplifted others. It was dignified and important. And everything we did as teachers was undertaken with painstaking excellence-because that is what we expected from our students no matter what their background or circumstance. We also helped each other-encouraged each other-supported one another. We were always there for each other.
Our job wasn't a job. It was our passion.
I find it interesting when I think about our celebrating Labor Day. I think about how many people hate their work -how many individuals despise their jobs. I believe that many of us change occupations thinking that the next employment opportunity will create the perfect work environment or the greatest opportunity for advancement. It is as if we are looking for the industry that we will love every day-that with that job there will be no blood, sweat, and tears. We imagine the unimaginable; but in life, obstacles just appear even at work--at every job.
So it seems to me that it is how we approach our job that shapes how we react to the difficulties and challenges that come with each profession. We can approach our business with distaste, blaming others, standing on people's toes, pushing others aside, promoting ourselves as better than others OR we can choose to uplift others, promote dignity in the workplace, share the importance of each other's contribution at work, and undertake each project with painstaking excellence.
That, my friends, is worthwhile labor that brings joy and fulfillment even when times are difficult.