No Worries

With a title like that one might think this could be a blog about a sunny beach vacation with some Jimmy Buffet playing in the background and a tropical drink in one's hand. Nope. This is a blog about a very serious topic... the holidays.

Funny how that word can mean different things to different people. For me, it seems like every year they come around faster than I expect. Which in turn causes some people to move into overdrive mode trying to get every little thing done to make sure that the holidays are "perfect". 

Except there is no such thing as"perfect", so now what? For some people without family the holidays are something they want to avoid altogether. For people with large extended families the holidays start practically right after Veterans Day and go nonstop until after New Year. Seems like every year people put their Christmas tree up earlier and earlier. I know people who hardly get any sleep because they are so busy that they run themselves ragged practically making themselves sick trying to do and be everything. So where is the happy medium?

I say the happy medium is you. We are all lights. We all have the ability to either be people lifter's or drags. Opportunities arise each and every day to either build people up or to tear them down. So in this time of year when there are so many extremes all around bombarding us at every turn, from stores to places of employment, we get to choose what we will be in the situations we are faced with.

Every day is a gift whether one has a large extended family with boatloads of holiday activities going on, or for the person living alone without any family. It's a simple choice. It's easy to get wrapped up in making sure everything you want to accomplish get's done and things get marked off the "to do"list. However, I think it's important in the midst of the daily "grind"to be flexible and if everything gets done that's great. On the other hand if every single little thing on that list does not get checked off, not to beat yourself up over it. At the same time, not to be so wrapped up into our own "to do's"that we miss those opportunities where we can be lifters.

My motto is if I see something I "do something". Meaning if I encounter a situation where someone needs something, and I am able to be that something, then I do it. This motto was actually the inspiration for my latest single released to iTunes titled "Don't Walk Away."(Click here to listen on iTunes) Here's a section of the lyrics: 

ARE YOU BUILDING UP OR TEARING DOWN
HEARTS ARE HURTING CAN YOU HEAR THE SOUND
HE SAID WHEN YOU DID IT TO THE LEAST OF THESE
YOU DID IT TO ME

DON’T WALK AWAY, DON’T WALK AWAY
SOMEBODY NEEDS YOU NOW
DON’T WALK AWAY, DON’T WALK AWAY
YOU MIGHT BE THE ANSWER HOW

You get the idea... basically my motto is, if a situation arises and you can do or be that something for someone, I say like the Nike saying goes... "just do it". Which in reading this it might seem like I'm saying to do two opposite things. On the one hand I say don't kill yourself trying to do everything, and then on the other hand I'm saying to do something. Actually it all comes back down to that happy medium again. That's where the no worries mentality comes in.

Let everything roll off like water off of a ducks back. Keeping in mind that every day is a blessing, to count every blessing and when we have the chance, to "be"a blessing to those we encounter. People, animals, whatever the case may be. Not to be so busy that we miss opportunities to be the answer how. If we run into a situation that we can change, don't assume someone else will do it. Just imagine... what a wonderful world it would be.

May your holidays be filled with many many blessings.

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

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

Spirit Through the New Year

Holiday Furkids!

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! Here's to a Happy and Healthy New Year! The Aston furkids and I wanted to take time out to say we hope you and yours had an extra Happy Holidays, and we're wishing everyone a Blessed New Year!

I'm super excited about 2015! I just finished recording two brand new CCM Songs that will be released in the New Year with Music Videos to follow. In addition I'll also be working on the rest of my Contemporary Christian Music Album, along with an Inspirational 30-Day Devotional.

It's been a long time in the making. Sometimes en route to goals things just happen easy breezy. Other times on the road to success things can happen like on a greeting card my little sister sent me long ago to keep me inspired. I still have it to this day in a frame in my office. I read it often and it reminds me that no matter how long the road to keep moving. So onward I march...

Success is a Journey...

Recently my talented buddy Alfonzo Rachel! from PJTV & the band 20lb Sledge asked me to do a little spur of the moment rendition of Vince Guaraldi’s Peanuts Gang classic “Christmas Time Is Here” with him. So here’s a happy song to add some merry to your holiday-ing.

Whether you have resolutions for the coming year or not... May you have a peaceful New Year and enjoy the spirit of Christmas not just now but each and every day. Like the song says: "Oh that we could always see such spirit through the year"...

Blessings, Love & Music ~

Ava xo
www.avaaston.com

Eggnog: The Rocky Effect

Here's the Greek blonde girl before a recent show in Philadelphia

One of my all-time favorite movies is Rocky. There is just something very inspirational about this film for me. I really enjoy the message about going for your dreams and never giving up. I often have the film's theme song Gonna Fly Now by Bill Conti playing on my iPod when I am working out or on one of my runs.

I started doing some serious thinking (dangerous, I know)  and I realized there must be some connection to the movie Rocky and people drinking Eggnog at Christmas time. Rocky Balboa drank raw eggs during training and before the fights so he could get the instant protein and none of the fat into his blood stream. It is like an adrenaline rush to the body for boxers and others who work out when they drink raw eggs.

Isn't it odd that people don't start drinking eggnog on Halloween?There's no eggnog served with the ham at Easter. You don't really see eggnog being served alongside turkey and Aunt Zelda's green bean casserole at Thanksgiving, now do you?

But for some reason -- as the year starts to wind down, and right at Christmas time people start drinking eggnog. All of that raw egg starts making their brain melty and effects their decision-making. I did an earlier blog, which you can read here,  where people tend to make a fool of themselves at the company Christmas party. The main culprit of making poor decisions at any company Christmas  party is usually because someone dipped a little too much into the free eggnog.

When people drink eggnog and have all of this raw egg crap get into their brain and blood stream they get all loopy. The instant protein is like a shock to their system and they start going all Rocky on everything and everybody. They start making wild New Year's resolution to lose weight and get into shape. Not because it's a New Year, but because they are all hopped up on eggnog and want to be like Rocky Balboa.

Yo' Adrian, I have an example for yoos -- a 92-year-old man who's been smoking 3 packs a cigarettes a day for 75 years. He takes a sip of eggnog and all of a sudden he's stripping down and shadow boxing everyone in the room like he has become the next Apollo Creed. He crushes his cigarettes and vows to his family that his New Year's resolution is that he is going to start running marathons and he will quit smoking. Well, the next day after the eggnog is out of his system, old grandpa can be seen walking around his living room butt naked, tearing the house apart, cussing like a sailor, looking for his lost package of cigarettes.

In the original Rocky movie the The World Heavyweight Championship bout was scheduled for New Year's Day 1976, which also happened to be the kick off day to the United States bicentennial. So I think that also influences these people into making crazy New Year's Resolutions, they want to be like Rocky and change history and change their own destiny on New Year's Day.

New Year's resolutions are great. New Year's resolutions made under the influence of eggnog- not so much. Just Sayin'

Here's a quick montage from the original Rocky movie I found on Youtube. Check out 1:20 into this remix and you can see Sly downing the raw eggs.

Ok, Gonna Fly now...Blessings,

Ava

xox

Packing For A Road Trip

As I was packing the car to head to my Mom's for Thanksgiving, I noticed two of my neighbors were also packing their cars and appearing to be heading out-of-town for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. It should be no surprise because we are heading into the busiest travel days of the year. With all of the muckery and groping the TSA is doing at the airports, I am surprised anyone wants to fly anymore.

Even though I'm not leaving for a couple of days, I still need to start packing now so when the time comes I can just scoop up the four dogs and be on our merry way.

I do not consider myself a high maintenance girl, but when it comes to road trips, well just then maybe it actually does take a little more to maintain my sense of happiness than other people.

I know many of you think I must travel with one suitcase of just my sneakers. The truth is I usually only take three or four pairs with me when I travel, not an entire suitcase full. However, when I go to my Mom's I can get by with only packing two pairs because I still have a pair of old sneakers there in the closet of my old bedroom. They are there with my cheerleading pom-poms and other sentimental things I don't want to part with just yet. Don't worry I am nowhere near as bad as being able to star in my own episode of Hoarders. I promise.

I also have a set list of grocery and must have things that I need to purchase before heading out.

They include:

A 5 lb bag of raw almonds (Actually I always have almonds in my glove box)

And I must always be chewing gum:

10 packs of Wrigly's Extra Dessert Delights Sugar Free gum (Strawberry Shortcake or Key Lime Pie)

and

10 packs of Orbit White Bubblemint Sugar Free gum

Coffee (always have to have plenty of hot liquids)

Several Chocolate Fudge Graham Zone Perfect Bars

Several Chocolate Peanut Butter Zone Perfect Bars

Multiple bottles of VitaminWater Zero -Grape flavor, thank you

And also because my Mom never has this on hand: A bottle of the Coffee-Mate Fat-Free Hazel Nut Creamer. You don't want this Greek girl to wake up without this to put in her morning cup of coffee - just sayin'


In addition to everything I might need, I must make sure the dogs have all of their crap which includes multiple dog toys, leashes, collars, scarves, kibble, balnkets and dog beds for all four dogs.

Of course along the way there are several bathroom breaks for the dogs (and for me - it's all of that hot liquid and Vitamin Water  I drink.) If I do stop to eat at anyplace, maybe I will go to a Wendy's and get a baked potato and a side salad.

I don't take any magazines or books to physically read because that would make me car sick. I do take along my iPod and a few audio books to listen to. It's funny because as I pack, everything must go into the exact same spot in the car every time. That way I just can glance at an empty hole and realize that something is missing. It may take me an hour to decide what is actually missing, but I won't leave until the missing item is retrieved and the hole in the packed car is filled.

Well, time to get back to doing laundry and packing the car.

Have a great day!

Blessings,

Ava

xox

Visist my website at www.avaaston.com