In honor of the many who are returning to work today, we present this reflection by Dr. Amir Levine, contributing editor of Riverdale's HamletHub:
As I reflect on the meaning and purpose of Labor Day, which was created in the late 1800’s as, “… a tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country…” (Department of Labor), I can’t ignore the fact that working towards anything which truly matters to us in this life will entail some sort of labor. The word labor is defined as physical or mental exertion, especially when difficult or exhausting, and is otherwise known by its more commonly used synonym, work. And let’s be honest, everything in life requires some sort of work - dreams of achieving a degree in school, a particular position or job within a company, opening your own business, establishing a home, developing and building relationships, having and raising a family and for some even getting out of bed in the morning and getting fed and dressed. Yep, all of it and everything in between requires some degree of labor or work!
I remember the only times I truly grappled with the word "labor" was when my wife was painfully awaiting for the anesthesiologist to inject the epidural to muffle, even if only for a bit, the deep pain of delivery of each of our children. At those moments standing beside my wife, witnessing the strain and anguish her body and mind were enduring, I truly understood why the final stage of pregnancy is called “labor". Frederick Douglass once wrote, “Without struggle, there can be no progress.” As such, ultimately all of my wife’s pain, strain and struggle gave way to the emergence of two (at separate times) beautiful and amazing new little beings: what awe-inspiring progress I should say.
And yet, the process of caring for a baby and child is not without labor as many new and seasoned parents alike will admit. Caring is hard work because it often entails worrying, doubt, fear, sleepless nights, sacrifice and struggles. Because the moment you care for something you create and give birth to, whether a baby, an idea, a business or home, something new is also created within yourself and both will need your continuous care to survive and maybe even thrive. But like a baby, the more love and attention we channel to what it is we care for, the more we can watch it grow and develop into a creation that we were so proud to be a part of.
The issue is never if we work or don’t work hard, because at some point in our life we will all need to work hard. The question that can make a difference is: are we are laboring about issues, persons or things in our life which really matter to us, or have some relationship to that which we care for? When we work and spend many hours on matters which are devoid of meaning to us, we tend to feel empty, isolated, sad, lonely and resentful. Whether it is a job, a partner, a child, a task and/or an idea or matter of social activism, it is a true gift to find the labor which ignites your care. So this Labor Day maybe we can all take a moment to celebrate the labor of our care, because like a new life we are changed for the better the moment we can connect and care to what it is we labor for.
Amir Levine, PhD, LCSW, CASAC and Veronica Vaiti LCSW-R are psychotherapists and Co-Founders of NYC Therapy Group which provides individual, couples, family and group therapies in Riverdale, NY and Midtown Manhattan. Visit nyctherapygrp.com to learn more.