Prompt- Ikigai

“I have learned in my own research with older Japanese, what makes ikigai effective is its inextricable link to a sense of mastery – the idea known as ‘chanto suru’ that things should be done properly. As such, ikigai emphasizes process and immersion rather than a final aim.” — Iza Kavedžija1

"Ikigai brings meaning, purpose, and fulfillment to your life, while also contributing to the good of others." - Jeffery Gaines
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Title: "Purpose"

Wake with joy, purpose is known.
Don't stumble through your life alone!
Change the world, make a friend.
Find a hurting heart to mend.

I work, I strive, a check in hand.
My finger wears a wedding band.
I try to share joy, sometimes cause pain.
I try to be sunshine, sometimes I'm rain.

My purpose seems clear: love and progress.
Then I overcommit, collapse in stress.
Yoga for breathing, connection, let go,
Help meet the needs only I know.

I thought it'd be clearer, by 44.
I'd know what I was born for!
A statement of purpose, a clear direction
More clarity on who to give affection.

Instead, days vary: I help, then I fail.
My hardest striving to no avail.
Perhaps my best can't be counted, just seen:
A smile, a word, my energy serene.

I'm happy, but live unsure
What my life's purpose will be.
I guess my goal is the journey:
Who I can help, who I can see.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I took this ikigai test online: https://ikigaitest.com/en-personality-test/

My results are in the photo below (click to read it) and most ring pretty true to my personality, except I really am unsure of the conclusion, that I should become a member of the clergy. The test is long, but I do recommend taking it, as I found many of the answers illuminating.