Labor Day, we honor and recognize the contributions and achievements of people who work. The credit for establishing Labor Day as a federal holiday celebrated on the first Monday of September is often credited to President Grover Cleveland.

If you work and depend on your own paychecks to survive you find yourself dealing this year with higher rates of inflation, as well as paying more at the gas pump and the grocery store. Our spending power has gotten smaller, and the cost of living has gone up.  

On the bright side, Labor Day is considered the unofficial end of summer and is celebrated with a range of activities, events, and parades. While people celebrate Labor Day in different ways, one of the best ways is with a good old-fashioned barbecue.

Throughout history, American workers have been known for their dedication, innovation, and contributions to work. Our dedication to hard work and individual liberty, as well as the promotion of free enterprise and democratic ideals, has been an important part of the American spirit. We must pass that on to our children.

American workers have played a significant role in shaping the nation's economy and culture. Their efforts have led to advancements in technology, industry, and other sectors, contributing to the country's growth and development.

As individuals, we often tell ourselves that success comes to those who work hard for it. Do we still believe that adage?  Regardless we must instill in ourselves and the next generation the importance of diligence, effort, and perseverance in achieving our goals and aspirations. Those concepts build on meaningful accomplishments and require consistent and dedicated effort.

While hard work is indeed a crucial factor in achieving success, it's important to acknowledge that success can also be influenced by other variables such as education, opportunity, timing, resources, and ability. It’s also crucial to have a well-rounded approach that considers all aspects, including skill development, networking, creativity, and adaptability, to increase the likelihood of achieving our desired level of success.

Achieving success requires a combination of qualities and actions. It's not just about putting in long hours, but also about approaching your work with the right mindset, dedication, and adaptability. This holistic approach to hard work can lead to more sustainable and meaningful achievements in various aspects of our lives.

This Labor Day, our country is divided politically. We see conflicts, in our streets and in the media. We see the “us versus them” attitude that prevents us from collectively working to improve our communities, our state, and our nation. Rather than compromise, we choose to not collaborate on hard issues and pass along our problems to future generations.

Lack of leadership, whether at the local, state, or federal level, means our problems only grow larger. Anytime a voice is silenced, it eventually finds a place where it can be heard. Unfortunately, too many voices drown out those who offer attainable solutions to real problems. It's important to strike a balance between expressing dissent and promoting stability. Constructive dialogue, peaceful protests, engaging with the legal system, and advocating for policy changes are all ways individuals can work towards addressing injustice within the framework of the law.

However, it is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize that despite those differences, we have more in common than we can imagine. Nothing brings us closer together as a nation than when we face adversity, whether it is a natural disaster or a man-made catastrophe. “What unites us is far greater than what divides us,” as John F. Kennedy said.

Our great strength as a nation comes in our unity, which is the critical component of America’s perseverance. We should remind ourselves of this truth again this Labor Day.

##

Scott Cepicky is a Tennessee State Representative. 

JC Bowman is the executive director of Professional Educators of Tennessee