I wish I could follow
without it leading to dissatisfaction

my excessive traits
leave me feeling left out

and when they're the same
my sum is just not enough

my concerns become toxic
until I can't think any longer

I wish for a balance
while understanding both sides

all in this world of many
whilst I am just one

In my striving to achieve
joy and happiness,
I find it useful
to study carefully
all the hundreds of cultures
of the world
to discover
how each culture
achieves joy and happiness
in their own unique way.
For example:
What food do they eat
to achieve nutrition-joy and taste-joy?
What music do they listen to
to achieve music-joy?
How do they dance
to achieve dance-joy?
How do they govern themselves
to achieve a joyful and happy society?
How do they feel and think
to achieve joy and happiness?

our purpose can be
one thing and many things
it draws us in while
pushing us away
it remains static while
evolving as we evolve
purpose is the light
that brings joy
defining who we are
in that moment

Without the bird, would we look up? Without the ant, would we look down?  If our souls never reached out would we learn to love the other? I believe there is no bird or ant if we never learn loves direction.  Curiosity.