Douglas LaBier, Ph.D., begins by telling us:

Like many of us, you might feel that there’s a true purpose to your life but you haven’t yet found or discovered it, especially when trapped within a life that’s unfulfilling or feels out of synch with your true purpose for being. Teachings of Eastern mystics say each of us have a particular purpose in life, though we might not know how to recognize it. Interestingly, some new research suggests ways to discover and pursue your true purpose. Moreover, having a purpose in life is found to protect yourself from mental decline – not a bad bi-product. http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/...-lifes-purpose

I have taken many aptitude tests and have scoured career manuals to help put me on to the purpose that would make my life more meaningful. The process was interesting, but simply told me I had no overtly discernible purpose that I was aware of.

As with many things, whatever purpose I have found was distinguished by trial and err.