Today is the day we celebrate labor, hard work, industriousness and the efforts of each employee and working person in the US. The uniquely American holiday was set aside to give thanks to hard working and industrious working men and women as acknowledgement for their daily unsung contributions to this country and our dynamic economy.
For many who are unemployed or underemployed, today is not a holiday (or a day off) in so much it is a reminder that things are dramatically different than just a few short years ago: unemployment is at an all time high, job prospects are lean, the real estate bubble nightmare is a recent but receding memory, credit and cash are short and financial distress is a growing concern to a broad spectrum of all Americans.
I talk to dozens of individuals and families each week, so I’m on the front line of these stories of fiscal doom and gloom. With each, I can offer no easy, glib or “snap your fingers” solutions to their financial, familial, health or employment problems. Some people I can help and others just lending an empathic ear are all that I can offer. I’m lucky that I enjoy my job and am thankful that I can help people in difficult circumstances.
But today I want to offer my thanks to this country that has afforded so many so many opportunities for a better life, including me. We do in fact live in the best country in the world. Just take a minute to look at other countries that even in this “Great Recession” their citizens are clamoring to come to this country.
The American Dream is not a guarantee (however you define this overused and over marketed term). Life is not a straight line from birth to day with a guarantee of a stress and wrinkle free life, but sometimes it can be messy and full of bumps, unwanted surprises, tragedy and seemingly unanswerable questions.
But as unfair and uncertain as some our circumstances may be today, we are fortunate and lucky to live in the United States of America.
I’m thankful for where I live – in a country that affords so many the opportunities that have made this country great – a place where hard work is celebrated as a cornerstone of our great country.
Thank you.