I think you’ve hit on a really important point–the American idea of success is very narrow. Last spring, I spent two wonderful weeks in France where not one person asked me, “What do you do?” The French folks I met weren’t interested in my J-O-B but were more interested in: Was I enjoying the scrumptious cheese and bread I was gorging myself on, or how did the landscape near Beaune compare to this place called Missouri I spoke of?

If we are strong enough, we get to choose how we define ourselves, our time, and our Work (which I define differently from Job). Many resources exist to give us Gap Years and passion-filled lives that don’t necessarily come with houses (different from homes) and childrens. These are both huge commitments though houses and children of course are wonderful things if you choose them. But it sounds pretty daring and pretty fun to swim with the sharks…in all facets of life.