Fred Gallagher, of Megatokyo fame, shared an insightful article about the life of hikikomori.

I remember when my relationship with my first fiancee fell apart. I didn't really want to go anywhere, do anything. I had just graduated from college, and I spent my days playing Perfect Dark on my buddy's N64, and spent my evenings planning and conducting AD&D adventures.

Never would I think of spending years of my life shut in, but their plight is not far from the reaches of my empathy.

The thought of having all the hopes, dreams and successes of a generation on your shoulders. . . I can understand that. I am an only child and the only hope for the success of my family. No pressure there. But to shut yourself in and never come out. . .

I am grateful for such a wonderful life. My wife and I were reflecting upon that this morning. The opportunity to live together, have a beautiful child, and a modest existence. We get by. What we lack in money, we more than make up for in love and companionship.

One of the examples in the NYTimes article referred to a graduate school drop-out. Getting an MBA is rigorous. It is demanding; I'd imagine any master's program is. But to drop out after a bad grade. . . that is not an option. I have invested too much to do that.

My wife admonishes me to go to school full time, but the necessities of being a provider are too demanding. I know my wife loves me and supports me. . . because she does. Not financially, but spiritually and emotionally. She's the best!

In case none of this makes sense. . . the point is, never give up, never surrender, because the best things in life require work, devotion, and recognition.