I understand and agree completely. I have 30+ years experience in what I do and I have people who think I am over-paid. My boss recently said to me that, while most Americans, on a scale from 1 to 10, deal with a 6 to 7 stress rate, you deal with a 12! They were right, but I’ve earned that right to the dollars that go along with that. I am not wealthy, but earn upper-mid 5 figures for it and have paid for a home and college for my children along the way. And yes, earlier in my career, I worked roofing jobs, throwing newspapers, and fast food (not unlike Papa John’s) to supplement my income along the way. Played guitar in a band as well (one of my more rewarding sidelines)
I come home every night and do not feel one bit guilty that I have earned my pay.
Heh. I’m “unflappable” too. Had one boss ask, while freaking out over something, how I managed to stay so calm - reply: “I’ve studied self defense; when you’ve considered how to deal with someone trying to kill you, everything else pales in comparison.” Some 8 years later I spent about an hour borderline dead, making me even more calm about life.
With that and other skills, I too earn my pay. And I respect the ability of those who can earn more - a lot more.