September 4, 2012

Laboring Days

We are all so greatly helped by the labor of others. That doesn't mean that we do nothing for ourselves, or that we should not recognize individual achievement. Instead, it means that we should be grateful for individual achievement that helps others. Nowadays it's fashionable to sneer at achievement that was done for hope of a reward. But why shouldn't people be rewarded for doing what is right? We should do what is right regardless of whether we get rewards or punishments for it, but we all expect that doing what is wrong should be punished, and what is right should be rewarded. Getting a reward or a benefit from doing good does not negate the fact that good was done. Instead, it should be regarded as a good situation, a "win-win" as we once said, and should be able to say more often.

Furthermore, as we rest on this Labor Day, let's be grateful to soldiers and emergency workers who don't rest so that we can be safe. Their labors mean the difference between life and death, and I'm glad for the benefits that they get from it.