Just what is a life purpose?

The whole issue of a life purpose or mission is bugging me. I've always assumed I would have one because I'm intelligent and thus have the potential to contribute. I would figure it out before the age of 40. Life would go smoothly once I discovered it and that discovery would happen naturally, it would "come to me." I also assumed it would be job-related. I expected the world would recognize my purpose in sync with me and provide me with success when I was aligned with it. I'm 45 and this is simply not the way things have turned out. I have not been moved by an overriding desire to do X. I did get my degree in poetry but it hardly feels like a purpose. I've published but in the larger scheme of things am not going to be a mover and shaker in the world of literature. I sometimes think I should have studied photography instead but am now not well enough to pursue yet another degree.

Jack Canfield's more generalized way of looking at life purpose divorces it from work, at least initially. He still has all of the other assumptions: you should use it in your work; if you do, you will be successful because 1.) you'll be good at your work, 2.) others will sense you're in tune with your purpose and be more responsive, and 3.) the universe will be pleased and send opportunity your way.

Jack wants a person to fashion a purpose out of talents or skills he/she enjoys using--as thought that automatically suggests a career and as though those talents/skills are truly exceptional. Yeah, I have some better-than-average skills but none of them are exceptional. Perhaps the one exceptional skill I have is listening to people thoroughly. It makes me a good, insightful friend. I expect it would make me a good counselor but I don't want to work with disturbed people (there's a sort of absorbsion that occurs with intense listening that makes working with unhealthy people make me feel unstable). It would make me a good coach--or half way since I lack the ability to motivate. It would make me a good naturalist but, again, I don't want to go back to school. It seems this leaves me with a lot of hobbies. :)  Sometime poet, amateur naturalist, good friend.  All of which have a little or no impact (being a good friend having the most).

Then Jack's assumption that one's purpose is found in an extraordinary skill or talent was challenged by another book I'm reading called What Should I Do With My Life?  The author interviews and follows some people who are actively engaging this question--without coming to many conclusions. The author himself has an exceptional talent for math which he has chosen not to use, instead honing his not-so-natural writing ability, because somewhere along the line he decided he wanted to be a writer. He doesn't make it clear why. Though I'm not done with the book, he has already suggested that not everyone has a life purpose or passion. Some people just pass through life. I had started to come to that conclusion on my own and further that I am one of those people that is just passing through, having a postive effect here or there but having no great impact or success. One of life's free radicals, I suppose (though without the destructive connotation it has in health), one of those elements that nudges another element, that nudges another and then another that finally makes some positive difference to someone who does have a passion or purpose to fulfil. Before my days are done, I may do a better job living up to my potential than I have thus far but I see no fireworks in my future. In fact, I'll feel pretty good if I manage to do a decent job of taking care of myself to the end of my days.

Now that I think about it, trying to come up with new ways of ensuring I can take care of myself to the end of my days is the reason I've been thinking about this again. Again thinking that if I could just get it right, gold would rain on me and I'd finally be secure. But after examining the question, I don't think I'm equipped for a life purpose or passion. I've got the intelligence but I think drive or ambition or boundless energy are more important prerequisites. Those I ain't got. It seems my life purpose is to be ordinary with some odd, enjoyable hobbies and to be happy with that.

Or is that a cop out and I should continue seeking? :)