Happy Monday and – to all my USA friends – hooray for a three-day weekend! Of course, once you retire, all the weekends are (pretty much) three-day but this one, in particular, is worth noting. It is the official signal of summer’s end. It used to be schools resumed the Tuesday after Labor Day but, as far as I know, everyone has already returned to school. But, for sure and for certain, it officially marks the time to stop wearing white pants. (Tell me you remember that rule. Which, for many, was very much a rule indeed. Way back in the day, when I worked in the Executive Office of a bank, this “rule,” along with several others was duly noted. I’m not sure there are fashion rules anymore!)
Labor Day is also a time for cookouts or outdoor BBQs, church picnics – I will be at one of those later today – that last beach trip, and the end of hot dog season (that one I totally read on the internet. I know nothing of hot dogs!) For those of you outside of the USA who might be wondering, Labor Day was officially instituted in order to recognize all those who work hard and contribute to the labor force. Not sure how many of us actually remember the day that way any longer!?
However, thinking about work, I read an interesting quote. It is from Earl Nightingale.
“We are at our very best, and we are happiest when we are fully engaged in work we enjoy on the journey toward the goal we’ve established for ourselves. It gives meaning to our time off and comfort to our sleep. It makes everything else in life so wonderful, so worthwhile.”
Is anyone else wondering who Earl Nightingale is? I was. According to the internet (and how could that be wrong), he “was an American radio speaker and author, dealing mostly with the subjects of human character development, motivation, and meaningful existence. Nightingale was the author of The Strangest Secret, which some have called “…one of the great motivational books of all time.””
One last question: has anyone ever read this book? One of the greatest motivational books of all time? I know this post has been a little less than serious but I am genuinely interested in this book. Have you heard of it…or of Earl Nightingale?? And what was his strange secret??
Whether you have this day off or it is business as usual, I hope your Monday is a good one! Wednesday’s post will be this month’s “Currently” post. I hope you will come back for it.
I have not heard of Earl Nightendale before or his book. But I am intrigued by it! I do like the quote you mentioned of his and agree with it. Work is (usually) hard but there are (hopefully) redeeming factors to it besides a paycheck. I think anytime someone is disciplined to do something necessary like work day after day, that person’s character is strengthened little by little. Not everyone who works has a great character but I think that showing up for work consistently improves character. And aren’t we all experiencing the impact of a populace that for whatever reasons(s) is not meeting the workforce needs? Well, I hope you are enjoying your three day weekend- and how true is the three day concept in retirement, lol? I hope your get together is a great one. Re fashion rules, I think the new rule is that there are no rules? Or if there are rules, everyone around me breaks them ;). I don’t care so much about them myself, that’s for sure!
Totally agree with you regarding work and one’s character! And the new “no rule” is the fashion rule – lol!! Hope you had a great day yesterday!