make it so!

Following an unplanned Hiatus for AOS, we’re delighted to be back and to once again welcome our friend and guest contributor, Marco CAfolla, with his blog post #3…

a very inspiring piece about the importance of finding your purpose and following your own path. A calling that leads to happiness, enlightenment & ultimately fulfilment…

When I was 17 years old I proclaimed - “If I haven’t ‘made it’ by the time I’m 21, then I’ll quit!!!” This statement of intent was made a few months into a music college course at North Glasgow College, sitting in the rehearsal room with my first band (that the lecturers assigned us to - how very rock n roll!), turns out it was absolutely the worst band in the history of all music (I have witnesses who can testify to this) and we hadn’t played a note yet.

It wasn’t all bad though, one of the lecturers on the course was Ted McKenna, Drummer for ‘The Sensational Alex Harvey Band’, and I just happened to be a huge fan! Not only was Ted one of the best drummers the U.K has ever produced, but he was also the nicest guy you could ever meet. He was charming, charismatic, funny and really wanted to help us all get going with our careers - “Any advice you’d need, anything you want to ask me or about the business - I’m here!” His lectures would mostly consist of road stories about his time with SAHB, Greg Lake’s band & the Michael Schenker Group - from ‘smokin with Bob Marley at a show’ to what it felt like opening for ‘The Who’, every word was priceless. I just looked forward to his class every week, soaking it all in, he was a great story teller - you felt like you were there with him on every story and did I mention, he played in one of my favourite bands - what a dream!

I was a sponge for the whole music experience, coming out of school with no real music community, to suddenly class mates passing me mix tapes of bands/songs I should listen to, hanging out with band mates, gigging for the first time around Glasgow and only 4 years to go until I ‘made it’ - what a time to be alive!

As you have probably surmised by now I was a very naive but passionate young muso back then, but in retrospect, there really was no other way to be!

As you have probably surmised by now I was a very naive but passionate young muso back then, but in retrospect, there really was no other way to be! Something changed a few months later though, sitting in one of Ted’s classes and still hanging on his every word, as was everyone in the room of course, all of us excited and mesmerised by the stories, and then he would ask “any questions?” I stuck my hand up and asked “Yes, what are you doing teaching here?” I still cringe for asking the question even as I write this, but it came from a genuine and honest place - I wasn’t for one second trying to be funny or smart, I just couldn’t understand how someone who had all these stories, such success, world class drummer, and as far as I was concerned, had ‘made it!’ was lecturing at North Glasgow College?

There was no definitive answer to my question either, he quipped about being ‘screwed by the label’ at some point and that’s the music business - ‘full of ups & downs!’ It really stuck in my head and it changed my thinking about what ‘making it’ is!

Marco Cafolla's new project, Mama Terra - purchase the album here

Ted did ‘make it’! I just didn’t know it at the time, but much more importantly - he did. He played in one of the best bands every recorded, he toured with a band pushing the genre they were trying to be shackled to, he is regarded as one of the best drummer / musicians; inspired every single person who he had in his classes, was loved by everyone - and did it all with such talent, style, flare, charm & with a smile on his face. I learned that then, and I am still very mindful of that now.

Ted did ‘make it’! I just didn’t know it at the time, but much more importantly - he did. He played in one of the best bands every recorded, he toured with a band pushing the genre they were trying to be shackled to, he is regarded as one of the best drummer / musicians; inspired every single person who he had in his classes, was loved by everyone - and did it all with such talent, style, flare, charm & with a smile on his face. I learned that then, and I am still very mindful of that now.

Ted McKenna was an absolute inspiration to me both being around him during classes and every piece of music he played on, that I in turn, digested. He shaped my music and thinking with his honesty, talent, generosity and presence. I learned more about music in his class once a week than I did at University for 4 years studying Music on an honours degree - because he had ‘made it’ and wanted to share it with us all. I feel grateful to have had that hour a week with him and his music in my life.

He was 100% correct, life is a path of ups & downs - isn’t that great? I am inspired now more than ever, i’m on my path and it’s going, slow, but it’s going, ‘making it’ can only be found on that path somewhere along the road, but not quickly, and definitely not at 21 years old. Even if I’m totally delusional about the whole music thing, it really doesn’t matter - find purpose and you’ll find happiness. Share your wisdom, worries, successes & failures - the road doesn’t have to be a lonely one, in fact I’d quite confidently say you’ll enjoy it more if you keep moving along your path with others around you supporting each other!

Having purpose is hard work and it isn’t easy, but you’ll feel good for it - I promise.

Make it so!

Marco Cafolla x

“Become who you are. Become all that you are. There is still more of you—more to be discovered, forgiven, and loved.” Carl Jung

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knowing that finding your purpose can be challenging, here’s 5 simple strategies to help you “zoom in” on your own calling:

1. Reflect on Your Journey and Core Passions

Action: Take time to reflect on your personal journey…what activities, interests, or experiences have consistently sparked passion in your life? Pop your thoughts down on paper and try to note any patterns or themes that emerge from your past.
Purpose: Understanding where your passion comes from is the first step toward finding your purpose. This can be a challenge is a distracted world, but with time and focus you can reconnect to what really makes you glow. Often, our purpose is closely tied to the things we naturally care about, and reflection helps uncover those deep-rooted interests. By identifying what has consistently energised you, you'll gain clarity on the direction to pursue.

2. Pursue What Brings You Flow

Action: “Lean-into” the activities that make you lose track of time - where you feel fully immersed, energised, and which sharpen your mind and focus. This could be in creative work, problem-solving, or helping others. Take note of what activities bring you this sense of flow…watch children, they do this so naturally, we would do well to notice and try to reconnect with play.
Purpose: Flow states usually form from an alignment with your strengths and passions. When you are fully immersed in something that bring you joy and total immersion, then you're one step closer to understanding that which really drives you.

3. Connect With Like-Minded Communities

Action: research then think about joining groups, attend events, or networking with people who share your passions. Whether it’s a professional community, a social cause, or going to see and hear a fantastic band; connecting with other people who have similar interests can be provide the inspiration you need.
Purpose: Being around passionate, purpose-driven individuals can inspire you to think bigger and see new possibilities. These interactions can also help you define your own role within a community - whether it's as a leader, a supporter, or a creator. You might discover your purpose through collaboration, mentorship, or even collective action.

4. Volunteer and Serve Others

Action: Try getting involved in volunteering, service projects, or mentorship roles that resonate with your values. Whether it’s in your local community or on a larger scale, offering-up your time and skills to help others may lead you to further clarity on how your talents can make a difference to people.
Purpose: Many people find their purpose by serving others. Purpose is often about contributing something meaningful to the world, and through service, you can experience firsthand how your own passions can connect like a vibrant energy to others and create positive and lasting change. Never underestimate how your unique energy can make a huge impact on others.

5. Set Time for Deep Introspection and meditate your life.

Action: Work to set aside regular time for self-reflection, meditation, or writing to explore deep questions like, "What do I value most?" "What do I want to contribute to the world?" and "Who do I value, and why are they inspiring to me?" definitely try to avoid distractions during these moments and focus solely on your internal thoughts. And put away the phone!
Purpose: Your purpose often emerges from the clarity of thought that follows calm reflection. By giving your mind the time to work-out at it’s own pace, and away from distractions, you can slowly start to uncover your own map: your guiding values and aspirations. This process allows you to set your own Northern Star, and realign your life with those values and explore how they can shape your purpose.

We wish you a warm and productive search for your own purpose…You have your own, you just need to find it.

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