HN user
Programming is an art, and you, and me too, we are like artists in the meaning we juts don't want to give up being creative, and solving challenges is a large portion of the reward we get. Besides of the money of course, we all need that.
What keeps me going? Obsession and passion. I got my first computer in December 1994. I was 43 then. The first night I did not sleep. Not the next either. Got hooked, immediately. I was in a full time job as a mechanic. In a workshop, wrenches, oil, welding, repairing, cars, machines, etc. Taught myself programming, besides the the normal job. In 1997 I got headhunted by a software company, having won 1. prize in a programmer's competition a Magazine ran. Now I am retired, and am programming more than ever. Will sell my own products, I have what they call an ISV, my own one-man company. Programming is as fun as ever. I do everything, Web, Desktop apps, plug-ins for the large multi media applications. Several languages, all is very fun :)