I am a tour cyclist so I guess I have always gone for the: Do what makes you feel good.
The only way to kill the cycling spirit is not the cycle at all! For me a high cadence is important. Keeps you away from injuries and fatigue in the long run. Hell I would even prefer 32 as @bullettoothtony said. But of course I have never been a "true" road cyclist!
That's my spirit also! I'm way more in traveling and sight seeing then chasing numbers on the clock. I feel very comfortable riding the 40' cassette and even now that i dont have to face really huge hills im still keeping it on. Like you said, "Do what makes you feel good".