And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste,
it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the
gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy.
Kahlil Gibran

Matthew B. Crawford makes a good case for working with your
hands. A fairly long read but worth while.

I used to earn my living that way. Now currently employed as a
computer security programmer and DNS administrator. No where
near as satisfying as my previous occupation of electronics
servicing. Staring at a display eight hours a day. Not much
to show for it.

I really enjoyed repairing electronic equipment, audio, video etc.
but the profession does not really exist anymore. At least the
one I knew. Oh they call it the same thing when it's done at all
but now it just consists of following a flowchart to replace a
circuit board.  If the board is no longer available the unit is
marked as "Not Repairable" and that is that.

So now I build and repair my own equipment and repair things
for friends and family that I can. But to be fair today's gadgets
are really not very repairable. The parts are far too small and get
obsolete far to quickly.

I have a lot of respect for those who still work with their hands.
The mechanics, plumbers and carpenters. Skills I have yet to
master myself.

Far, far to many intellectuals look down the noses at them.
Though I'll wager few if any could master the skills needed
to work in the trades.

C