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5 Intentions for Labor Day

By September 6, 2010 2 Comments

Go to the barbeque. Enjoy the sun. And if you want to bring a little more intention and contemplation to your holiday, here are five creative intentions for Labor Day:
 
1. If you are a manager or employer, consider how you can do it better. What can you do to call forth the brilliance of those you work with? What might make work a part of their lives that they love? How can you show them greater respect?
 
2. Write an inventory of all the resentments you have toward people at work. One by one, let them go. Ask your highest self to dissolve them. Turn them over to the hands of a higher power if you believe in one. Decide you’d rather be at peace, free of them, than infected with anger or frustration. See how resentments pollute your mind and spirit and seeing that, set an intention to be free of them.
 
3. Brainstorm a list of ten simple ways you can be a light at work. Maybe it’s complimenting your co-workers more often. Talking to the guy that usually gets left out. Being the one that says, “actually, I try to never engage in gossip.” Seeing who needs help and offering to provide it. Being the bigger, more generous person in the office dispute. Being the one who takes the time to get the social responsibility program up and running.
 
4. Realize that everyone in your workplace is doing the best they can. The stuff that drives you crazy, the decisions you think are stupid or ridiculous, the behavior that boils your blood? Truth is, all of those things are just the products of human beings, who, like you, are doing the best they can to cope with stress and fear and boredom and woundedness – in their personal and professional lives. Today, hold that thought, and see if you can find a little more space for compassion and acceptance toward those you work with. See if you can find a sense of peace with the way things are. Exhale. Isn’t this nicer than holding on to the conviction that they should be different?
 
5. Honor your own work. Most of us work very hard at our jobs, and we rarely take the time to appreciate what we do. (And by the way, if you are angry that others don’t appreciate what you do, take a look and see how much you’ve been appreciating you.) Today, don’t honor your work because of a good review or a promotion or a raise, just honor your labor. Your effort. Your sweat. Your diligence. Your energy. Respect it. Be proud.

Join the discussion 2 Comments

  • Nadia Ballas-Ruta ~ Happy Lotus Lifestyles says:

    Hi Tara,

    Isn’t it funny how we call work “labor”? I mean…ideally speaking…we should love what we do and so there is no sense of labor when you are doing what you love.

    That said, all your suggestions were great. I especially loved the last one. We should honor our work because it is a reflection of us. When we pour ourself into our work, we share a part of our soul with the world. That should definitely be something to celebrate.

    Have a wonderful holiday!

  • lisa b. says:

    Tara, Thank you for this list, especially #2. I worked with this practice, making little slips of paper on which I wrote my resentments, both specific to certain individuals and in general about my work. Then I make another batch of slips, and wrote words of compassion for each individual that I have/had a resentment against. Lastly, I made another batch of slips and wrote down 1-3 things that I admired about each person. There was a huge difference in how I felt writing the resentments, pinpointing compassion, and finally articulating my admiration for their good qualities. I feel much lighter. Tonight (after I leave work!), I am going to burn the resentment slips and release them. Thank you for sharing this practice.
    Warmly, lisa b.

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