It is wonderful to hear this question as well as the responses. I have not been around much because I had a change in my job status. I work at a university, and it appears that my (sole) office was downsized, though I think that is not the whole story and that it has a lot to do with my being a woman in a job where I have to tell people that they are doing enough for diversity. There is a big controversy about it and I have a number of faculty friends, and will take legal action, etc., but that is not the point here. I was actually feeling so downtrodden and marginalized that, for one of the only times in my life, felt dread about going to work. One of my friends commented that she could see why I rode my bike so much! I had concluded that I would quit by the end of the year if I was still unhappy, and this just sort of speeded things up. I've got a little severence, so have some time to contemplate the big picture. It is so wonderful to get out of the rat race!

So, I've been thinking about simplifying life for a while. I'm fortunate to live in a place that is pretty supportive of cycling, recyling and voluntary simplicity. It's important to have some support for a less materialistic way of living. It's amazing what we need to spend to make up for the frustration and unhappiness of our work lives! I'm in the process of paring down what I own, which makes for less to worry about. Learning to work on my VW Bus again, with a cycling friend, and will probably sell the Subaru and keep the bus (OK, I realize that is unusual, but that is my particular quirk).

The most exciting thing is that I am planning to go into a spiritual retreat for a year or so, which can be done reasonably, and I have so longed to do such a retreat.

Of course, I am also close to retirement age, so once I do that I will have a base income, but there are many people who find a niche for themselves doing something that they love. Women in particular have been doing this because too often the cultures of large organizations just do not work for us.

Although pretty well-paid, I have usually worked on the agenda of others. If you can manage to have a pretty good overlap of your passion with what you do, that is great. It is definitely, in my opinion, not worth any sacrifice of one's soul or health. My colitis is clearing up and my shoulders are less hard each day, and, I can ride my bike on Thusday mornings if I want. Which is what I plan do do right now!