Personally, I've been all around the world (literally) and done some really interesting things, but being a dad is the greatest adventure I've ever had.
I want to reinforce this point Dude makes because it echoes my sentiments on parenting beautifully. (@Dude: I wish I could shake your hand warmly for that post!)
Fulfillment isn't always where you expect to find it.
Your best use of your unique gifts might be in an academic/professional realm...and it might not. I chose the professional route, published early and copiously, and then found myself in a "so what?" mindset. Frankly, my work made zero real impact in the world. It wasn't until I became a parent that I felt I was making a meaningful contribution to humanity, let alone achieving near my potential. This isn't to say parenthood is a blanket solution for everyone at every stage in his/her life, just that it was an excellent fit for me at this time.
There are many facets to giftedness beyond mere mental horsepower. People tend to undervalue the unmeasurable-- compassion, excitability, emotional sensitivity, ingenuity.
I think our best guide to our calling is accepting what we enjoy most and letting a vocation grow out of that organically. For me, this meant accepting that I will have serial callings. I took professional flack for choosing to be a stay at home mother and pursuing further university studies for fun. It was worth doing what I love. For you, it may be an unfolding process of self discovery and questioning around the arts.
I don't know a single person who has 100% clarity around major life decisions. I also don't know anyone who hasn't failed in some way. I could give you a dissertation of the ways in which I've come up short at one time or another. That said, I wouldn't trade away my failures because they each taught me important lessons I needed later.
I wish you every success and happiness on whichever path you choose. You are never alone- we're just a post away!
