Installing drywall on the ceiling, insulation in an attic and deploying a floating wire antenna on a submarine were the hardest physical jobs I have had the opportunity to work. As a desk jockey, I will get my brain sweating, but the body is locked into one positon for hours on end. There is great benefit from getting your hands dirty and learning about the physical world. I had a part-time handyman business for seven years and would take my son with me on most jobs. He learned a good work ethic, understands what it takes to get a job done and gained confidence to tackle projects. After a very late night working on a toilet repair, he uttered my favorite reflective comment that “it would take us two hours to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich”. As a ten year-old there was no disrespect, just an honest assessment of how the night progressed. These were valuable times of learning about a full day’s work. These examples pale in comparison to much of the back breaking work that is done throughout the world every day. Since my days are spent in a cubicle clicking a mouse, I find it a pleasure to shake hands and encounter a strong grip that has been earned from years of being physical. The market demands these products and services and it is beautiful to see how creativity is expressed in all forms of work.

What satisfaction do you achieve from physical work? What were you surprised to learn on the job? What job do you never want to do again? What job would you like to do again? How were you exhausted after the day’s work? What health benefits did you experience? What health risks were associated with the job?