by Jeremy Orbell

Created on: February 14, 2008

Finding your life purpose is something very personal and I am not the one to help you find it. However, I would like to share a story relating to a friend who has rediscovered his love of life and direction in life.

This friend of mine had been making music since about 1990 and I always felt he was a really talented musician. I was briefly part of his band but my guitar playing was clearly not up to the job so I sold my guitar and a later attempt as a vocalist ended in fits of giggles thus finishing my career before it even started!

Over the course of the next eight years he released three albums with his new band - people who could actually play - one on tape and two very accomplished CDs. They got national radio play in the UK and across Europe plus they played a handful of dates in the US.

Then, when it really looked like taking off, he just stopped. He'd had enough, consumed by bouts of depression, self-doubt and disillusionment with the music industry. It's a long story but he was royally screwed by his label it seems.

He didn't pick up his guitar again for seven whole years!

Then, after some encouragement from a new love he was persuaded to begin writing music again thus beginning a new phase where his creativity has just blossomed. He's a completely changed man.

During those years he didn't make music he was generally pretty low and lacked direction. Now you can feel the excitement is there again.

He was recently on TV promoting a single he'd written to support his local soccer club and for two weeks it was the number one - yes, number ONE single - in the town's HMV record store, selling several hundred copies. .

He's recorded a new album which out of love he recorded it again so he got it as good as it could be. He has also just released a totally free single with four tracks and an animated video.

This ultimately means he's not seeing much of a financial return at the moment but that's not the point. He's doing it because he loves it and he really impresses me with his commitment. The important thing is that if he did it for the money he would've given up when I did over 15 years ago. He's spent thousands in the pursuit of this. He has the talent though - I don't.

His contribution is through music and I am incredibly proud to have him as a friend.

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