Why I didn't go to the movies on Labor Day

I was in the car. The music was cranked up. I had my perfect French press coffee in my mug and was headed to the 10 a.m. show.

It's the 50th anniversary of the release of Jaws, and when it came out I was four, so obviously I have never seen it on the big screen. I was pretty excited. Nerd.

I was about half way there when I thought about it. Like, really thought about it. And the car slowed down:

When I arrive at the movie theater, someone is going to take my money and give me a ticket, assuming I don't purchase it online. If I decide to get snacks, someone has to give me those snacks from behind the glass and be helpful. No matter what, though, there will be people cleaning and cooking and handing folks' stuff and interacting, with the intention of making our movie watching experiences pleasant.

In other words, someone's labor is allowing me to consume and spend on a day that is designed to celebrate the labor of those who need the rest the most.

And that's when I turned the car around.

1. Going to the movies is not an essential activity. This can wait until another day instead of doing this on a day when workers should be resting. If I miss it, I miss it. I mean, I was doing fine up until now.
2. I want to do my best to not be part of the demand that justifies someone else losing their day off.

My turning the car around is not going to shift the entire labor-capital dynamic, I get that. However, this small action helps lay the foundation for a strong company that will last.

We teach a lot. I am learning this.