She had an epiphany.
After her stroke experience enlightenment became her purpose. Life altering situations do that...they shift the paradigm. We begin to find happiness in a different direction.
She used her academia the first half of her life for mankind. The second half will be for the betterment of herself...she grows selfish in a good way...she searches for peace. I do not think she realized this until her gift...the gift of her stroke...
Yes we need both...but balance is the key....