Pull the Plug

The Christmas season is in full bloom. Seems like everywhere you go there are signs of the season. Lights, decorations, "holiday" themed beverages at your favorite coffee joint. Yes I had to use "coffee" as an example. Why because I love it, and in case you're wondering my favorite is Dunkins. No matter where you go from the big box retailer down to the local diner it appears everyone is all dressed up ready to make merry.

This is a good thing right? I beg to differ. I was out and about the other day and it hit me, not that it hasn't before, but this time it really stuck out like a sore thumb. Ironic I would use that analogy given what I'm about to type... but all I could see were not the pretty lights, decorations, or signs of the season. All I could see were a bunch of people with their faces glued to a glowing machine and it bothered me. It really bothered me.

The holidays are a time for celebration. Connecting with loved ones, taking time to reflect on the year past and look forward to the year ahead. I know that this time of year can mean different things to different people. Some people deal with incredible sadness or depression this time of year as well, which is terrible. I wonder though, can we as a society for the love of all that is good and right in the world just put down the flipping phones?

One could think it hypocritical of a Greek Girl who uses technology to connect her music with the world to be complaining about people having their faces stuck in their phones, but hear me out. See that's just it. I "use" technology for a purpose, to accomplish a task. To connect, and that's it. For some it has become a very unhealthy addiction and if you ask me it is tearing apart the fabric of our society.

I've written about this before, but the truth is social media is both a blessing and a curse. It's a blessing to be able to connect with people whom you never could before. So for a business, or independent recording artist such as myself it is an incredible tool. For people in their personal lives though it can be very destructive. We've all seen it, a family out to eat all sitting around with their faces glued to the phones, including the parents. Some you can even see scrolling their Facebook feeds.

Many people today are not happy. In my humble Greek opinion they are not happy with their own lives because they are so busy scrolling to see what others are doing and how great everyone else's life is, that they are missing out the life that is right there in front of them... sad.

Everyone wants to be famous. Again, something I have blogged about on many an occasion. It's not enough for a kid to just play the piano and be good at it; we have to broadcast it all over social media. Moms blasting pics of their kids dancing, singing, baking, you name it. Video after video, and the younger the better. Um hello parents... hate to be the one to break the bad news but there is a creepy word lurking and trolling the internet and I'm just saying something to keep in mind before you post, pedophile.

Why can't it be enough to just live our moments and see where life takes us. Life is a journey... well these days it seems less and less of a journey and more like a race that some people are running fifty miles and hour trying to catch up to the person on instagram who has the most perfect talent, or thing, or life, or beat out the next internet celebrity who pops up.

I'm not saying not to share your moments and be proud of your kids, that is not at all what I am saying. I'm saying everything in moderation. It's like with the commercialism of retail. Stores are promoting the next holiday before the current one in many instances is even over yet. Why? Because of social media. People are far too busy these days. Kids, and even adults have to be involved in multiple activities after school and work. People are so busy running here and there that there is hardly any time left to just "be". To just enjoy life and enjoy some quiet time. Quiet time what's that?  You mean we don't have ten places to run today after work or school? My goodness what on earth will we do with ourselves? See what I mean.

Much of this stems from social media. There has been study after study about the dangerous effects of social media on people’s emotional well-being. At the end of the day there is a very wise saying... "Comparison is the joy thief" and it is. 

So this Christmas my wish is that people will pull the plug. Realize like the wise old Grinch did: “Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!”

I wish for people to take time out from social media to live life and enjoy the life that they have whatever that may be. No not everyone has a perfect life, and that's OK because there is always time to change it. Perfection is an illusion. There are no perfect people, and there are no perfect lives. Christmas does't come from a store, and life is not lived in a little glowing box.

Take some time to reflect on the year that was 2016 and look forward to 2017 with joy and anticipation that it is going to be the best year yet.

Blessings, Love & Music.
Ava xo
www.avaaston.com

Get Me to My Safe Space

To celebrate Veterans Day the Mr. (an Air Force Veteran) & I went to see the film Hacksaw Ridge. I was moved and saddened by the stark contrast. In the week or so that has followed I have watched a tragedy unfold across the country that sadly has proved my observations to be correct. 

WARNING: This blog is NOT politically correct. In fact sharing it on Twitter may result in account shut down. Which would also prove my observations to be correct, since Twitter is now in the censorship business. They seem to have no problem allowing child porn, and individuals or groups who post all kinds of hateful barbaric ideology. Yet if one openly posts the truth, or something considered "conservative" in nature... whoa nelly. That simply cannot be tolerated and must be banned.   

A very mixed up generation is coming up. Entitled, angry, arrogant, and hateful. It's OK though because Lady Gaga wrote a song telling them they were "Born this way". A generation who simply cannot handle opposing viewpoints. They demand their way be the only way, and must shut down all opposition.

While those who serve and who have served in our Military make sacrifices for others. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice. They work together with all kinds of people from different backgrounds, religions and walks of life. They unite to achieve a common goal. They learn many valuable lessons in the Military, one so missing in today’s culture, is learning to put others interests ahead of your own.  

The Greatest Generation stopped a mad man from taking over the world. They literally marched to hell and back in the worst of conditions in the worst of times. Now we have a generation of whiney babies demanding safe spaces, canceling college exams, having cry ins, protesting, out marching around destroying other people's property and "killing people" because they "don't like" an election result?

So let me see we bully people because we don't want to be "bullied"? Hmmm, watch the news for a few minutes. I'm not going to even begin to express the things my inside voice is saying because that would definitely get me banned from Twitter. Let me see, in the last ten days or so there have been people who oppose the election results who think it perfectly acceptable to do things such as:

Block an ambulance from passing, resulting in the death of the patient inside.

Standing outside a car full of "Trump Supporters" threatening to set it on fire.

Pulling a man (a supposed Trump supporter) from his car in an intersection in broad daylight. Beating the living daylights out of him while someone films it, loots the car then take off with it, leaving the man in the street beaten and bloody. 

Where are the news media on this? Where are all the MSNBC, CNN, and ultra left wing "journalists" or rather shall I say "personalities" (because we all know that journalism is the farthest thing from what they have been doing for the last decade and longer). Where are they? Why are they not speaking out against this disgusting behavior? I'm willing to bet that if Trump supporters where out there doing these things to "Hillary" or "Bernie" supporters in mass, it would be splashed across every TV news headline, and newspaper in the country.  

This is not acceptable in any way, shape, matter or form, to anyone, anywhere, period. We are all Americans, we ALL bleed RED. Trump is President, get over it, grow up and move on. No one acted this way when Obama was elected, and trust me there are many who did not support him or agree with anything he did. Did any of the people who didn't support him go out and create anarchy having temper tantrums in the streets about it? Didn't think so. Ironic the ones pointing the fingers calling Trump and his supporters hateful are the ones doing the destruction. We have a word for this in the Greek language, "Hypocrisy".

See this is what happens, when we celebrate mediocrity, everyone gets a trophy, everyone is encouraged to do whatever they "feel" like, and there are no consequences for our actions. My mom who is definitely not politically correct and has no filter says "We outta take those trophies they got for doing nothing back, and when they block public access or disturb the peace, we should bring out the fire hoses".  

Seriously though, people really need to take a deep breath. The season for giving thanks is upon us. People should stop and be thankful for the fact that they were born in the freest nation in the history of the world. A nation that even gives them the freedom to act like juvenile delinquents if they want to. They should stop to remember the men and women who serve and who have served to protect the flag that flies to keep them free.

God help us. I pray that people wake up to their idiocy. Go see the movie. It's a refreshing step back in time. A reminder of a few of the things that made America so great. May we once again return to those values and ideals that made us a shining city on a hill.

Blessings, Love & Music,
Ava xo
www.avaaston.com

Black Cat

I am now a cat momma. There I said it. What, whoa, whatchutalkinboutwillis? Greek Girl you have five dogs... That is exactly what I was thinking when I saw a skinny, dirty little black cat sitting on my moms doormat meowing his little head off.

My animal loving heart was saying, "Scoop this little fur baby up and keep him". My inside voice was saying "Cat... um, you have not one, not two, not three, but actually five dogs who do not particularly care for cats, did you forget?"

Now I know most everyone is probably more interested in the upcoming election and the latest wikileaks document dump, and Project Veritas videos than in my little black cat rescue story. However since almost everyone is on election overload, why not take a mini brain break? I mean even Hillary said looking at Cat gifs can be therapeutic. That she is right about. That may be the only thing in my opinion, but hey that’s a blog for another day.

So back to the story of how I became a cat mom. While we were on vacation in Greece and my mom was pup sitting our five furkids a little black cat starting sleeping on her doormat. Why didn’t she just bring him inside one may wonder. Well, that is because she already has a big fat spoiled rotten cat that does not like other cats. Besides, her own two dogs, and my five who were gracing her with their presence.

Fast forward to our return from vacation. We went upstate to her house and when I saw him I just couldn’t help myself. My mom had already brought him inside briefly to give him a bath, and try to get her cat to maybe accept him, which was not happening.

So for the few days we were there, I tried my hardest to find someone who could adopt him. I must have called or texted everyone I know, and got nothing. Sadly, since there are so many stray, abandoned, neglected and abused animals out there everyone I know is already over burdened with more pets than they ever planned.

Since Halloween was looming, there was no way I was going to leave a little black cat who was very friendly out on the streets for some lunatic to do God knows what to. He would actually go up to people walking by on the street meowing and following them. He clearly wanted a person of his own.

So, the day we were leaving I was on the way back from an appointment with the Mr. I started to ask him what we were going to do about the cat, knowing I didn’t really feel right about leaving him outside. Before I could even finish my sentence he blurts out “I think we should just keep him”. After I picked my jaw back up from the floor, I said “Really?” and he said “yup”.

So we made a pit stop to go buy kitty supplies. Carry bag, toys, food, etc. We got all the necessities. I let the Mr. name him, since it was his idea after all, his name is "Jaxson".  Then we made the three-hour drive home with five dogs in the car and one little black cat at my feet in his brand new carrier.

Since then I have learned the skill of wrangling animals. I keep the dogs in one area of the house locked into a few rooms, and the cat gets the run of the joint. Or, the dogs are out with run of the house and the cat is safe in his room along with his kitty dream house in front of the window, and about a bazillion toys.

I have learned all the things about being a kitty momma that I never knew before. Such as, if he eats too much too fast (which he likes to do since he was a stray) he will vomit and that can lead to an expensive vet trip, eh hem. Along with not to leave any kind of toys that have little strings out as they can cause a blockage due to cats tongues grabbing onto.

I have learned that kitties think they are ninjas, and that he pretty much can scale a small building in a single bound. The best thing I have learned though is that there is no greater feeling than to save the life of a helpless animal. Yes it may be a lot of work; yes you may spend money you did not plan to spend. At the end of the day though, when they are all curled up in your lap and they look up at you with that gaze that almost seems to say “thank you for saving me”, it makes it all worth it.

Can't forget to share the doggies in their Halloween Costumes...

October is “Adopt a Shelter Dog Month". Dog or cat, it’s always a good time to save a life and bring a little happiness to your life. Hey it’s good for your health too. Having a pet can lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol; bring companionship, and so much more. So what are you waiting for? Make everyday a happy day, don't shop adopt... your life will never be the same.

Blessings, Love & Music,
Ava xo
www.avaaston.com

You Can't Make Me

Ever had the joyous experience of watching a child throw a temper tantrum? Not too much fun one could say. Well lately I feel like I'm watching a great big giant collective temper tantrum.

In case you hadn't noticed there is an election looming. Hard to escape the fact, since the news never misses an opportunity to remind us. I have to admit though; I'm finally starting to see why some people don't pay attention. All too often the topic can be maddening. With so much "opinion" vs. "actual "journalism" being dished out as "news" it's almost enough to make me want to "tune out" what's going on. Almost... but I can't. Why? Because, it is just too important.

America and our future are too important. That's why it literally makes me go off the rail bonkers when people say they are not going to vote. Or when they say they haven't voted in years, sometimes even decades. It just does not compute. Sure one could say, "it's a free country, it's my right to not vote if I don't want to."  Whenever I hear something like that, my inside voice is saying something like "tell it to the men and women who bled and died for that right." 

In my opinion it is highly disrespectful to not only those men and women, but also to our creator. A creator that was highly instrumental in America's founding, and founding documents. One may never know this since the leftie loons have done a good job of twisting and turning history to remove him from everywhere he might be able to offend anyone (or invade their safe space). Meanwhile we Christians just roll over and live in our little bubbles. It's also disrespectful to the millions of people all over the world who would give anything to live in a free country, and be able to have a say in their government. Some people think their vote doesn't really "matter" so they just don't bother. Whenever I hear someone say something like that my inside voice is saying something like "well maybe if everyone participated your vote actually would matter". 

For the people, by the people only works if "we" do. I actually had a guy tell me the other day a Christian and a veteran (a marine mind you) that he had not voted since Dole because there was no one who "reflected his values". There were just so many things wrong with that statement I didn't know where to even begin to unscramble his noggin. Yes I know he is free to think what he wants, but really... hasn't voted since Dole? Oh my nerves.

It's no secret that I am a Christian. I am also not a perfect person (shocking I know, please put on your surprise face) but since there are no perfect people, and the only perfect person to ever have lived was Jesus, I am just not looking for a candidate for President who can walk on water. Maybe it's so I won't be disappointed when I find out they are human like the rest of us.

I do though find it very ironic when a Christian takes this position of not going to vote because they "don't like the candidates". The bible says we are to influence and occupy until he comes. So how does a Christian think they are doing that if they sit out elections because they "don't like" the options? Christians believe God is in control of everything don't we? Or do we only believe this to be true when we like the outcome?

To quote my veteran husband who is also a Christian; "I would much rather see someone exercising their right to vote, even if it's not for my candidate than to stay home and whine and complain about the outcome."

There are two choices. There is no viable third party candidate that can beat either of the two major party choices. As much as people want that to be, it is not. Possibly someday in the future it may. So for now lets just deal with what's real. There are two choices, Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump. Neither is perfect. What a person should be asking himself or herself is: who out of the two aligns "most" with my values, and worldview. It is really that simple.

Someone saying they are not going to vote in my view is the equivalent of a child having a temper tantrum, taking their toys and leaving the sandbox in kindergarten when things don't go their way. It's actually quite stubborn and selfish in my opinion. Especially for people whom are known to be diametrically opposed to one candidate, yet they have no problem at all staying home and allowing her to walk away with the election (with the media's help).

There's about one hundred days left for people get their heads screwed on right and do what is right..., which is vote. Republicans and conservatives complain that we can't seem to win elections. Well did they ever stop to think and observe the Democrats? At the end of the day they stand together even if they can't stand each other. What do we do? We fight and argue and complain so we can all have the last word. The vitriol and degree to which it's going on is shocking to say the least. What in the heck in the world would our founders say if they were here today to see all the malarkey going on?

So here are a few nuggets of information for anyone who was thinking to sit it out to consider.

Watch: https://youtu.be/C9Eg2jBEQtg

Read: http://townhall.com/columnists/wayneallynroot/2016/06/24/a-message-for-christians-about-donald-trump-n2182796

Watch: Genius from my bud Alfonzo Rachel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyqLsQZmBMw

Watch: Clinton Cash Documentary: The truth about what Clinton cares about not people, money. https://youtu.be/7LYRUOd_QoM

Lastly Watch: "Hillary's America" Film a MUST SEE!
https://youtu.be/Bxn5I6tnU_Y

After reading and watching all that it can be no secret that I roll to the right; it's not about that though. It's not about left or right; it's about right and wrong. It's about America. America is about freedom, a government for the people by the people, and it can only work if we do. So as an "American" regardless even if you love Hillary (though you might want to get your noggin checked if that's the case) but seriously, it's about America. No-one can make you vote, but it is the right thing to do. So, don't be a dope... vote!

Have a great day! Blessings.
Ava xo
www.avaaston.com

Am I Alone

Please tell me I am not the only person in America who has this look this week. You know, that desk is piled so high in papers and receipts you can hardly make out the person who is sitting there look. I hate to admit it but I let it happen again, and I swore I wouldn't, I waited until the bitter end to do our taxes.

Normally I am the kind of person who gets the jump on things early, and has the taxes done by February. However this year it just seemed like other things took priority. Family visiting from out of the country, medical maladies with some of the furkids, auditions, working on music, life, stuff, and then all of the sudden it was spring break and tax time was just around the corner. Yikes!

The Mr. and I had a trip planned to visit family in Florida for Easter and as much as I wanted to get them done before we left, it just didn't happen. Why is it that sometimes as good as your intentions are when you set aside time to do something, it just seems like something always comes up last minute to interrupt the best laid plans? So here I am, the week they are due and now it's crunch time.

It wouldn't be so bad except that it's not just personal taxes for us; it's for an LLC, which can be a bit more complicated. Especially for those of us who are not you know rocket scientists by nature. So I'll be sitting here with a hot cup of happiness in my hands for the next few days organizing and adding up all the activities of the last year. Thank goodness for Dunkins' because I know one Greek Girl who will surely be "running on Dunkins'" for the next few days.

I will say it is always interesting for me to see where and how money was earned and spent. One thing I especially like to do is add up what we gave away. Some people don't necessarily give often or a lot because they think they can't make a difference. When you add it all up though, it does. I find that for me anyway, one of the best parts of the yearly taxes chore is seeing how we were able to impact the lives of others by giving in the previous year.

Back to reality, back to the job at hand. Makes me hope one of the candidates for President actually will eliminate the IRS and make it so we can file our taxes on a postcard. That would leave more time for other things we all would like to be doing instead of burning up the calculators. Oh well, one can only hope. In the meantime, if you have this crazed last minute doing your taxes look about you like I do, here's to all of us finishing on time. Happy Filing.

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava xo
www.avaaston.com

Leap Please

Leap day is here. Pretty neat indeed, but I think I'd like to leap to the next one please. Normally I'm not the kind of person to want to fast-forward to the future, but this particular leap day, America seems to be relishing in the politics of hate. So if I could I would fast forward to four years from now when it's all over.

Funny, the last time we had a leap year it was also an election year. I think the extra day has done something to peoples brains. It's not surprising to find the usual suspects in an election... opposing ideas, plans, and debate. It's when you toss the media in the mix that things start to really boil, which is expected. However this year I think someone turned the heat to high and it's turning everyone's noggins to mush.

The vitriol is at levels I have not seen in my lifetime. Maybe it's that social media is playing a part in this election like never before. Access for everyday people to sit behind a computer screen and type whatever they like without regard to whether it is actually true or not. The rise of the "new media" has produced a multitude of blogs, and pundits popping up out of the woodwork. Suddenly everyone is a "political expert". People can now hide behind a computer screen and cut, paste, twist, splice, dice, and concoct articles and videos that are used like bullets to wound those they view as needing to be taken down. I find it frightening because often these efforts are not promoting the truth, but instead deepening the divide.

The high and holy conservative pundits sit on their thrones telling people essentially: "You must support thus and such or you cannot possibly be a real conservative or Christian". The same bodes true for the opposite side of the political isle... liberal pundits pushing their guy or gal as the case may be. It's like some of them are literally having a temper tantrum from atop their media perch: "How could you evangelicals choose Trump, oh the humanity."  

Many of us have seen it; a "friend" announces on their Facebook something to the effect of:

"If you support thus and such candidate for President then you can just delete me now. In fact I'll even save you the trouble, if you post or like anything by said candidate I will delete and block you myself."

These kind of posts always give me a giggle. I'm not sure the people who post them even see the irony of making such a statement. See we have a word for this in the Greek language it's called hypocrisy. Let's see according to the Merriam Webster dictionary the word means the following:

Hypocrisy: the behavior of people who do things that they tell other people not to do: behavior that does not agree with what someone claims to believe or feel.

What a silly thing for a person to post. Stating that one is so staunch in their belief of freedom that they can not possibly tolerate anyone in their "safe space" (in this case personal Facebook world) who does not agree with their deeply held convictions of personal responsibility, liberty, independent thinking, and most importantly freedom of speech that they have to ban anyone who does not think exactly like they do. Doing so is completely and totally hypocritical. Actually I find it pretty funny, and seem to be having more and more laughs about people doing this very thing, as we get farther along in the election cycle.     

Which leads me to just a little bit wish I could hit the switch and jump onto the next leap year when all of this is behind us. To that magical place in time when people will have woken up to the fact that this is the real world, and there are no "safe spaces". When people will have put on their big boy and big girl pants and finally figured out that we are all free to think and choose our own thoughts. What we like, dislike, and even whom we choose to support for President. That even if we "agree" on some things, even most things, there will always be something for we the people to disagree about, and it does not make us bad people. My wish is that this practice of character assignation of people who do not 100% agree with each other is a fad that dies, and quickly.  

Happy Leap Day and Super Tuesday!

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava xo
www.avaaston.com 

Love to Hate

Something has been bugging me for a while now. I try to ignore it, but the more I ignore the worse it seems to get. So like any good creative person, I decided to write about it.  

I've noticed a disturbing trend in the past few years. It started slowly and has grown to the point that it makes me want to pull the plug. Pull the plug... What in the heck in the world are you talking about Greek girl? We all know the Internet can be a powerful tool. However these days it seems more and more like a weapon. 

For people like me (an independent recording artist) the Internet is a powerful tool that has opened up an entire world of opportunities (literally). Opportunities to share my music and brand with people in parts of the world I never would be able to without it. Artists, businesses, non-profits, the list of people who benefit from the freedom and connection of the Internet are endless.

For some it's a powerful tool to share ideas and products. For others it a hideaway to hurl hate. Don't get me wrong, I firmly believe everyone is entitled to have their owns opinions and feelings about everything in life. We don't all have to live the same and think the same like robots in a Stepford Wives episode. I mean we do after-all live in the greatest country on the face of the earth. Something has happened though, something that truly scares me. Never in my life have I witnessed so many who seemly love to hate. People united in posting, sharing, creating and devoting oodles of precious time spreading pure venom. Hatred, jealousy, envy, sorry but those are just not American values.

A little term I came up with called "derangement syndrome" seems to be everywhere anymore. Insert name or organization before the term and there you have the description of an entire group of people united in sharing and spreading each and every negative thing they can find about said person or organization. People who go bonkers, I mean literally off the rails at the mere mention of derangement objects name. What do I mean? Well, lets see... we have a few examples in no particular order:

Patriots Derangement Syndrome
Tom Brady Derangement Syndrome
Trump Derangement Syndrome
Bush Derangement Syndrome
Joel Osteen Derangement Syndrome

The list goes on. I post these examples not to judge or praise any of them, rather only to illustrate a few of the particularly common derangement syndromes permeating our society today. The thing I find most troubling about this condition are the people who come down with the syndrome, many of whom are Christians.

Of course it's not just Christians getting it that bothers me, it's anyone who comes down with the syndrome. When Christians get it though, I find it especially disturbing. You see Jesus said they will know us by our love. Now I'm not saying we need to lie down and let everyone walk all over us because Jesus stood up when it was necessary. Like the time when he flipped over the money tables in the temple. Standing up though doesn't mean devoting ones self to the sharing of and spreading of hate.

We have a word in the Greek language for this kind of behavior, it's called hypocrisy. Better known as do as I say, not as I do. It's almost as if they are saying: "Yeah I'm a Christian I love God, I love people, I'm good, but I devote my entire Facebook page, blog, website (or whatever the case may be) to sharing articles I do not one hundred percent personally know to be true, but that's OK because I got my opinion out there." 

Everyone knows the media has an agenda and often times are biased. However the rise of the "new media" movement has bred a multitude of websites, blogs, videos and more devoted to spreading utter vitriol. Oftentimes I am shocked even more by the personal words written by people in the comments section when they share these things. The people I see this bitterness coming from, and the level to which they go, this for me is what cuts the most. There have been times I almost dump my dunkins on my laptop it's so disturbing. 

America was built on hard work. Used to be a someone saw a successful person as an inspiration. If they can do it, so can I kind of thing. Americans used to celebrate others success. Instead today we have media propping people up then far to willing, ready, and waiting for the chance to tear them down. When a successful person rises to incredible heights in their field or career, the haters come out in full force. They hide behind a computer screen and cut, paste, twist, splice, dice, and concoct articles and videos that are used like bullets to wound those they view as needing to be taken down.   

Not sure how or when it happened, but jealousy and entitlement for many have replaced aspiration. Take Tom Brady for example: he's talented, good looking, has a beautiful wife, makes boatloads of money doing what he loves. He can't possibly just be gifted though, he must have cheated. Another example, what did the founding fathers want in a President? Successful businessmen to leave their vocation to go and "serve" the people for a time, then leave. So when someone steps up to do it, they are labeled an egomaniac or Hitler. I'm just sayin... think about it.

There are always two sides to every story and there will always be stories until the end of time. I just know I would not want to stand before God at the end of my time and have the answer to what I did with my time to be "sharing hate". So I for one will continue to use the internet as a tool to share the good. To share my music and message. To make a positive impact, to encourage, inspire and do my best to lift people up, not tear them down. My hope is that more will catch this syndrome and do the same.

Blessings, Love & Music,
Ava xo
www.avaaston.com

Joy

It's finally here! In fact I'm so happy about it I've been humming a little tune all around the house for weeks now. "I've got the joy, joy, joy down in my heart..." Joy about what Greek Girl you may be wondering?

The new movie Joy starring cutie patootie Jennifer Lawrence? No, but it was a fantastic movie that I highly recommend! The characters were all very well developed, and it's a super feel good film that gets a big fat thumbs up and five stars from this film critic. 

If not that, what pray tell could be causing all that "joy" I am talking about? Why The Biggest Loser premiere of course! Why on earth am I so excited about a TV show one may wonder? Well hello... it has many of my favorite elements: sneakers (my number one favorite shoe to wear), people doing things they thought they couldn't, inspiration, drama. Sure in my opinion the show will never be the same without Jillian, but it's still incredibly inspiring, and never fails to have me in tears at some point during an episode.

I have been so inspired by some episodes in the past that I have even written lyrics to songs from watching. So for me it's a win-win. 

New year, a new chance to get up to bat and swing for one's goals and dreams in life. We all have them, many start out strong at the beginning of the year and for a multitude of reasons peter out and end up quitting. For me it is magical to watch people who have tried time after time, after time to achieve a goal who have never been able to do it, finally break through and get it done. It's just my happy place. 

Society today has so many tools to be healthy and live longer, yet it seems is getting more and more unhealthy by the second. Your body is a miracle. When you treat it right by feeding it the right things and making fitness a part of everyday (just like brushing your teeth) the results are remarkable. That's why I love the show so much, it demonstrates this principle in such a dramatic way on such a large scale, literally. 

I think everyone has the ability inside them to blast through barriers... it's just a matter of will. Not a matter of "can", but a matter of "if". Excuses can be made for everything, everyone has something. Not everyone has the "physical capability" to be an olympic athlete, this I know very well. Accidents, disabilities, many things can make a person think they "can't" be physically fit. The truth of the matter is though that there is a modification for almost everything. There is some kind of physical activity that everyone can do, and once one changes their mentality from can't to can... the entire world can change. 

So you can be your bottom dollar I'll be parked in front of the TV watching. With a hot cup of happiness a la Dunkin's in my hands (with Truvea instead of sugar of course). Will you? If not my hope is that 2016 is a year for everyone to reach beyond their limits and break though barriers to reach goals and dreams they have buried on the inside. Remember, everything is possible... you just have to believe. Happy 2016!

Blessings, Love & Music!
Ava xo
www.avaaston.com