+1 to Marc and his earlier post as well.
I image (badly) for my own enjoyment and for the challenges it offers to my technical skills and the things it has taught me about photography, the universe, mechanics, people, computers and just stuff !
I've entered a few minor competitions and never won but always enjoyed seeing other entries and interpretations of a subject. I've long ago accepted the fact that I see things differently from other people and what I think is 'right' ain't necessarily correct
The images posted on here and elsewhere and the fun competitions, APOD etc have just encouraged me to keep trying and to see things in a different light
This forum has been one of the best I've been involved with for sharing and encouraging others to grow and learn.
It's all good ...