> especially when your old friends mock and ridicule you for caring about something absolutely pointless.

My dad flew 32 missions over Germany. He watched men die. 80% of his cohort did not return. He expected to die and made his peace with it. He told me once that when he returned home, he was struck by the trivial problems people had and obsessed over. After all, they weren't flying a mission tomorrow with near certain death.

He said whenever he felt down, he'd recall the men that never had a chance to grow old, and his problems would melt away.

I always feel like this is elitist (oh, look at your silly little problem, I risked death, and you are complaining about rent.

And I always respond with, yes, not everyone risked death, and they do have a right to complain about rent. You did it because of your own free choice.

Another aspect of this silly stance is that if we always compare with death, nothing ever gets done. It is perfectly reasonable to have everything, and still aim towards other goals. If one is not risking life, you are well justified in complaining about the traffic jam.

> He told me once that when he returned home, he was struck by the trivial problems people had and obsessed over.

I always feel put in a position when I'm in an interview and they ask about handling pressure in the workplace.

I sometimes wonder what my widower grandfather thought, sending his only son off to war.