by Christy Carlyle
Like most writers with a full-time job doing something other
than writing, I long for the day when I can devote myself exclusively to
telling great stories. I grouse about how much my day job tires me out and prevents
me from doing what I’m truly called to do. During a recent writer’s meeting, we
discussed our motivations and goals as writers. I didn’t have to think twice
about the fact that one of my main motivations is to quit my day job.
What does that have to do with Labor Day and gratitude, you
might ask. Well, I don’t necessarily remember Labor Day as a reason for family get-togethers.
In the Midwest where I grew up, Labor Day usually marks the beginning of cooler
weather and the start of the rich, stunning array of colors that autumn puts on
for the season. By the first of September, our family cookouts were a summer
memory and everyone was getting ready for fall, winter, and the start of the
new school year.
As an admitted history geek, I usually seek to understand
the history and meaning behind a given holiday or event. The history behind
Labor Day has to do with something I often bemoan: my eight hour workday. In
the U.S., the holiday was proposed as a day to honor workers. However, its origins
are tied up with the Haymarket Affair, a tragic event in Gilded Age Chicago
that I recently researched for an historical mystery I’m writing. During the
event, workers rallied in support of an eight hour workday. The assembly was
mostly peaceful, but when a bomb was thrown at police, the ensuing riot resulted
in police and civilian deaths and many injuries.
Just a little over a century ago, the notion of an eight
workday was controversial. Most workers could expected to work ten hours per
day, twelve hour days, or perhaps more. The work week was often six days long,
not five, and children were often working such grueling hours right alongside
adult co-workers.
Around Labor Day, I try to complain less about my day job
and take a moment to remember how lucky I am to work an eight hour workday. Yes,
I’d rather be writing, but, truth be told, those eight hours do still allow me
enough time to write. I just need to be self-disciplined enough to get up early
or take my laptop and write during my lunch break. Then again, and perhaps
contradicting everything I’ve just said, I do love that I get Labor Day holiday
off at my day job. More time to write!
2 comments:
I'm a great believer in gratitude, Christy. Loved your post! I knew in general that people had to fignt for an eight-hour work day, but I didn't know about the Haymarket Affair. Doesn't the fact that people died so we could work oonly eight hours a day, five days a week, kind of floor you?
I start my day off writing out 10 things I'm grateful for. It sets a positive tone for my day and I like that.
When I think back to how people used to labor I know I've been blessed to have safer working conditions, employers who care about my welfare and safety, paid vacations, sick leave, benefits.
One hundred years ago and more I would have had none of that unless I owned the company. There are times I've thought Unions push for too much for their members but then I think back to how workers were treated (men, women, children, old, young) and know that Unions helped me have the working conditions I had (semi-retired now).
Also, when I start my day from a position of gratitude, my writing is different (easier for one thing) than when I don't.
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