> To me, this is the purpose of the creative journey. Knowing yourself better, and enjoying all of the steps involved in arriving at what is always a surprising destination.

That's EXACTLY how I used to feel about creativity. I was an art major who didn't make it, and I found that expressing myself via my hobbies was good for the soul.

Then I almost died and completely lost interest in making art!

Facing my own mortality, I realized that the time I invest into my wife, kids and family will have a larger positive contribution on the world, I think.

I know that sounds like a Hallmark Card.

At the same time, I've often wondered what my life would look like if I appreciated my family MORE and my hobbies LESS when I was younger.