I was a lot happier in previous non-programming jobs, they just were much worse at paying the bills. If i could make my programming salary doing either of my previous jobs, i would go back in a heartbeat. Hell if i could make even 60% of my programming salary doing those jobs I'd go back.

I enjoy the practice of programming well enough but i do not at all love it as a career. I don't hate it by any means either but it's far from my first choice in terms of career.