I love this and think you are 100% correct. Sure, anything can fail but what you have learned and what you have taken away from Steem is worth all of those hours. It is another form of education and education is wealth.
I too have questioned if creating and spending time of Steem was worth my time and I decided it was for similar reasons. Plus, I really believe in helping others and if my posts help a single person, that is enough for me.
Amazing post! Follow and an upvote from me!