There is something wonderfully old-fashioned about being tired because you worked hard. Not exhausted because you spent six hours arguing with people on Facebook. Not worn out because you binge-watched an entire television series. I mean the kind of tired that comes from putting in a full day’s work and knowing you earned the right to sit down, put your feet up and say, “Well, that was a day.”
With Labor Day approaching, I want to salute the working Americans who believe there is dignity in a job well done.
I salute the people who take pride in their work, whether they are running a company, repairing a machine, waiting tables, driving a truck, stocking shelves, teaching children or working behind a desk. They understand that a paycheck is nice, but there is also satisfaction in knowing you did something well.
I salute those who understand that the customer is the real boss. They treat customers with respect, even when the customer’s only goal seems to be to test their patience.
I salute the workers who understand that a workplace does not need a ping pong table, a beanbag chair and a refrigerator stocked with artisanal sparkling water to be a great place to work. Sometimes what makes a job great is simply good people, a fair boss and the satisfaction of accomplishing something.
I salute those who realize that every job has its miserable 20%. No matter how much you love your work, there will be days when you would rather clean the break-room microwave with a toothbrush. You do it anyway. You show up, focus and get through it.
I salute people who understand that expertise takes time. There is no shortcut around experience, practice and making enough mistakes to eventually learn how not to make them again.
I salute those who show up when they are supposed to, arrive on time, leave when they are supposed to and do not mysteriously develop a severe case of “Friday afternoon” at 2:30 p.m.
I salute the workers who spend their hard-earned money locally when they can, support American-made products when possible and understand that strong communities are built one transaction at a time.
Finally, I salute the retirees who spent decades doing these things — working, learning, providing, improving and showing up — while making life better for their families, coworkers, companies and communities.
So this Labor Day, let’s celebrate more than a three-day weekend and a good excuse to fire up the grill. Let’s celebrate the people who still believe that showing up matters, hard work matters and doing a job well matters. Because sometimes the greatest reward for a day of honest work is being tired at the end of it — and knowing you earned every bit of that tired.
Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital newsletter
shane@gctimesnews.com
641-332-2707