Is purpose a profession — or a soul lesson?

The word purpose is everywhere today.

People search for their purpose, wonder whether they are already living it, and ask how they can even recognize it.

But what do we actually mean when we say purpose?

Is purpose a profession?

Is it connected to what we do in the world?

Or is purpose, perhaps, a soul lesson — an inner process, quality, or learning that the soul seeks to experience in this lifetime?