i started thinking yesterday - and yes, this is the irrefutable proof that i quite often tend to overthink - anyhow, i started thinking about the people that make the things i use on a daily basis. ok, bear with me for a sec.

this computer for instance, was probably assembled by a middle aged somewhat educated somewhat decently paid worker. now, think of the person who puts the microchips - and all those other tiny components that are part of the machine but not the machine itself - together. well, maybe they share a similar faith as well.

but, wait a sec, think of the miners extracting the copper used to mold the tiny little ant-like legs of those microchips. think of their crooked bodies, their tired lungs, their squinty eyes that never quite get used to the sun.

think about all of these things and realize how lucky you are.

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i met a man yesterday who spent 30 years of his life making turbines used in hydroelectric powerplants throughout the world. he is not an engineer, a draftman or even a quality control tech. he's a random peon. he's the guy who has literally been shipped all over the world when the turbine broke and they needed someone to climb up, down and across to go fix it. he'd spend hours bent down, his back against the cold surfaces of the turbine with little light and awkward tools to operate. he had 4 or 5 work-related accidents in 30 years and, when you think of it, it's quite fortunate that he can still go about his daily routine without too much hassle. he's not even 60 years old and looks way way older. though his company says he's still too young for retirement.

when he left my office, stretching his legs and back that now get numb when he sits for too long, i reminded myself to think of him next time i feel like complaining about life in my little cubicule.

things could be, oh, so much worse.