I posted this to the check-in thread but I think it might need it's own discussion. The key question is at the end...

So I've been thinking about how people only acknowledge me when I do something for them. I act like I should, I provide, I care, I listen, etc. My whole worth is based on how useful I am to someone else.

What it costs me to be useful is not relevant, that's my problem and no one cares about that anyway.

When I stop producing, people no longer show up because I'm no longer useful to them.

It seems my experience is not unique. It seems a lot of people live this way.

So I ask, what's the point of continuing when you're no longer useful? What's left?