Today We Rest From Our Labors
A chronic affliction of the American mind is the backwards notion that leisure serves work and not the other way around. Catholic philosopher Josef Pieper that people work to afford the luxury of leisure time. After all, that's ultimately why retirement plans and pensions are coveted parts of workers' compensation packages.
Yet most people are under the mistaken belief that the value of leisure is as a cool down period that freshens us up to do more work. But taken to its logical conclusion, that view leads to an infinite vicious cycle.
Now, the stumbling block that trips up most people in regard to labor and leisure is the corruption of the latter term's meaning. As originally understood, "leisure" didn't mean "idleness". Instead, it was meant as time to engage in intellectual or spiritual pursuits. Think painting icons or practicing lectio divina.
Medieval monks understood that concept and its importance. They also had a firm dedication to work, which some might see as contradictory. But along with the communists, American capitalists embraced one half of the great both/and. Sharing all goods in common was particular to the monastic life, and Marx erred by trying to universalize religious vows. Similarly, capitalists downplayed the ora helf of ora et labora.
The leisure we're now given to reflect on the value of work is the special blessing of Labor Day. Yes, it's a chance to attend cookouts and catch up with family. But it's also a keen reminder that a man's value is not measured by what he produces.
Today we rest from our labors. So let's make this year count and throw ourselves into leisure with as much enthusiasm as we do the daily grind.
The most iconic leisure activity is, of course, reading. And I'm here to help with the Lord of Fate Labor Day Limited Offer.
Claim this limited-time reward to get …
The Lord of Fate, Burned Book, and all Soul Cycle eBooks
All of the above books in paperback, signed by yours truly
Our glorious LoF t-Shirt
The brand-new Lord of Fate poster – also signed
A signed LoF bookmark
That monster haul would run you $150+ if you claimed each reward on its own. But today, that hefty hoard of dark fantasy treasure can be yours for just $99 + shipping.
So back the Lord of Fate campaign now. Because when Labor Day ends, so does this offer.
P.S. When last we spoke on Friday, the Lord of Fate novel had recently funded. Not only did we reach our first stretch goal over the weekend, we smashed the second goal and are well on our way to unlocking the third. That means we're just a stone's throw from the LoF deluxe edition, featuring an alternate hardcover based on this Marcelo Orsi Blanco sketch:
Get us to $5K. Unlock the alternate hardcover. Pledge now.