5 Intentions for Labor Day

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.