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

Damned If Ya Do Damned If Ya don't

Don't See, Don't Buy...

With so much junk and minutia being passed off as "entertainment" for what is seeming like forever one would think that people, in particular Christians would be happy to see projects coming out that have anything to do with the bible. Surprisingly though it seems to be the total opposite.

Ironically Christians seem to be the first ones to jump on the "boycott" wagon starting virtual internet crusades for people (meaning Good Christians) to not see a particular project. We've all seen them bombarding our Facebook news feeds where this organization or that one is on a mission spread the word to make sure something tanks. I find this not only silly but also hypocritical.

You would think that after things like oh let me see where shall I begin?... Beyonce's Super Bowl halftime show where she pranced around dressed like a 1920's hooker dancing like a stripper on a pole in front of millions of people including children. Lets not forget Miley's twerking escapades, I know I know she is only "expressing herself" (remember when Madonna did that? oh to go back to the days when Madonna was being "Shocking"). We also have the gay agenda being shoved down the throats of every man woman and child in this country (personally I don't care what people do in their bedrooms but don't call me hateful because I believe "marriage" is between one man and one woman). Then there's Islam Ignorance, you know that "peaceful religion" which in reality is a sick twisted violent and barbaric cult being not only tolerated but promoted all over the country. Meanwhile Christians are silenced as being hateful and bigoted. God out of the workplace, out of schools, out of government, and what do we have? Chaos. Watching all this happen right in front of our very eyes one would think that a Christian would be happy, not just happy but giddy to see some form of entertainment coming out whether it be a film, TV miniseries, music artist, heck even a preacher on TV, something, anything that has to do with the bible and not a half naked person, violence, or foul language being passed off as "art".

So to me when I see crusades for people to boycott a film, artist, or preacher it makes me laugh inside. First thing... this is to all the "Super Christians" of the world, get off your moral high horse. The only perfect person ever was Jesus. We're saved by Grace that can't be earned. Not one of us was there when the bible was written. Second it was written by whom? Man, which is what? Human. Therefore not perfect, and it has been translated how many times? In how many languages? My point is, arguing over potato vs. potato-to kind of things is silly and very counter productive. We have one job as followers of Christ, that is to go and spread the "Good News" period! Jesus was clear when he gave us The Great Commission. In Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Reading that I don't see Jesus telling them to: go around poking your nose in other Christians business to make sure they are living right according to your standards of interpretation of the bible, or to judge every book, film, TV program to see if it is "biblically accurate". Do you? Yet so many Christians get so wrapped in judging other Christians life and work, rather than spending their time much more fruitfully by working to reach souls for the Kingdom. Working instead to reach the people of the world who do not know the peace that passes all understanding, the love above all other loves, found only in one place... Jesus.

The thing the haters are missing is, you are not going to reach people by walking in and slapping them in the face. So many people in todays world are so lost, hurting so bad, and have been so judged, they are simply not going to respond to that kind of message, they just aren't. So in a modern world, when an artist takes a different approach to telling a story or to open the dialogue we shouldn't be working against them. Now if someone is putting out a film that has blatant fabrications like I don't know saying something like Jesus was married or something like that then of course that is something to not support or be a part of. However when someone is mad because a good looking actor is cast in a movie or miniseries as Jesus, to me that signals something off with the accuser.

For films like Noah where everyone is losing their minds about the portrayal of God as angry and it being made by a non Christian film maker, again all I can say is HELLO it's HOLLYWOOD. It was never portrayed or promoted to be a learning tool for a bible study. It's a Hollywood Film, and should be taken as such, entertainment. Christians should know the bible well enough to discern what is entertainment. For some who worry that non believers who would be watching the film might walk away from a Hollywood film with that being their only and final idea about God, again is silly and small minded.

Any Christian who has accepted Jesus into their heart knows they responded to his knock. He knocks, and knocks, and over time some shorter, some longer than others, but every person who accepts him into their heart does so in response to his knocking, him initiating it. He comes to us, he died for us. To the non believer watching that film, it just opens the door, it opens the door to faith. It opens the door even with all of it's "biblical errors" as one might be concerned about, it still opens the door to a belief in a creator, in something that is bigger than yourself. That's the point the haters are missing, even if the film maker didn't intend it to.

It's the same with what I like to call "Pastor Derangement Syndrome" that so many Christians of today seem to be infected with. So many people are quick to watch an edited "snipit" of an interview or sermon and believe the point the editor made it to have. Yet will not sit through and entire episode or sermon of said pastor or evangelist to see the truth of what they really preach. The thing is everyone responds differently to different people. We are all different. If X,Y, or Z pastor is on TV and reaches one just one soul for Christ and turns that soul around, who am I, you are the next guy to criticize them? I certainly don't want to be standing before God explaining why I spent so much time badmouthing people sharing the gospel.

My ultimate point is with the Miracle of Easter coming, it saddens me to see so many "Christians" slamming so many other Christians or projects that could really help to change what we see in pop culture. We all know that pop culture is a total mess. Everywhere we turn it's sex, sex and more sex. Want to sell toothpaste? Sex. Want to sell a car? Sex. Want to sell a house? Sex. For crying out loud we have a TV Show called "Dance Moms" where people are dressing up their five to seven year old little girls in red lipstick and fish net stockings and false eye lashes, spending obscene amounts of time and money to ensure their child leave the competition with a trophy? Good grief!

I just think we have far more important things to worry about than to complain because "The Bible", "Son Of God" movie or miniseries or films like "Noah" are out. Christians are not complaining about things like "Dance Moms", "American Idol" (um hello look at the second word in that title please), "Secret Lives of Nashville Wives", and the list goes on. Christians will boycott "The Bible" miniseries yet not any of the above mentioned items. In my mind it's time to do a gut check about what we spend our time doing and or working against. Kudos when people stand up for Duck Dynasty and films like God's Not Dead, but we have a lot more standing up to do. That is unless you're perfectly happy with the status quo and the decline in the moral fabric of our society. On the other hand if you want to see more half naked Beyonce, Katy Perry, twerking, no consequences and losing your freedoms more by the day. Then by all means, boycott away... just sayin.

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

I Declare

How strong is your will?...

The first time I saw this photo, it was for an advertisement for a new series coming out from Joel Osteen titled "I Declare".  Greek Girl happens to like Joel, so for all the people out there with "Joel Osteen Derangement Syndrome" please save your emails.  Joel Osteen Derangement Syndrome is similar to "Bush Derangement syndrome", but not to be confused with each other. ;D

I believe that we all have gifting's, different purposes and assignments from God.  Not everyone's purpose is the same.  Some people prefer fire and brimstone all the time, they can be judgmental and say silly things like Joel is "Christianity Light".  I think there are so many different pastors all with unique talents and abilities in them given to them by God to do "different" things.  Joel is reaching millions of people for Christ on a daily basis.  In my book, this is a good thing.

Now back to the story... When I saw this photo it hit me like a ton of bricks.  No, not my former manager Mr. Bricks (he is busy writing his "Rat Pack of Hollywood" Children's Book series).  I'm actually going to be playing the voice of one of the Rat Character's when it's made into an animated series BTW.  For me this photo illustrates a simple choice each and every one of us faces at some point in our lives.

Everyone has a dream.  For some people it's to be a teacher, for some a stay at home mom, for others it's an Engineer, a painter, a ballerina, a politician, comedian, astronaut...  For some it is simply to retire early, for me it has been music...  For over twenty years, music.  Whatever anyone's dream, all of us face challenges on the road to achieving that dream.  We all face that pivotal moment, when we are hanging there about to reach the top of the fence and climb over.  We are hanging on with every fiber of our being, we are weak and weary from the climb, we are not sure if we have the strength to make that one last burst to get over the wall.  So what do we do?

What do you do?  What do I do?...  Personally I dig in.  I put my faith and hope in Jesus, the one who gave everything because of his love for me.  Then I tap into my iron Greek Will and push with everything I have.  This photo brings to mind a scripture that is one of my favorites actually.  "I can do All things though Christ who gives me the strength." Philippians 4:13 (NLV)

You see, in life we are faced with obstacles on a daily basis.  We can see them as opportunities and choose dig in with everything we have to take them head on, or we can see them as roadblocks stopping us dead in our tracks.  It's my faith that helps me to overcome every obstacle I face.  No matter what I choose, it's the choice and the action that follows that will define me and the outcome.  You see your tongue is like a rudder on a ship.  The things you say determine the direction of your life.  So I chose to declare God's word and promises over my life.

One of my favorite forms of working out is running.  Nothing quite compares to a nice long date with my sneakers, my iPod and the road.  Not to mention the endorphin high and the feeling of pushing past what you thought you couldn't do.  Well, for me anyways.  The other day on my run, this song came on my iPod and it really made me think about this photo.  I wanted to share it with you.  No matter where you are, no matter what you are facing...  The maker of heaven and earth loves you, knows your feelings and is holding you in the palm of his hands.  Decide that you can do whatever is in front of you today, no matter how impossible or hard it may seem because he is always there giving you the strength.

Blessing, Love & Music ~
Ava :D xox
www.avaaston.com

Hindsight is 50/50

What is wrong with Lemons anyway?

There is the old saying that says, "hindsight is 20/20" but really I might have to disagree.  Sure, if you can look back and see what you did wrong or right in a situation you can "see clearly now" what did or didn't go the way it should or shouldn't have.  But really, let's take a closer look.  The only time Hindsight is truly 20/20 is when we are past a choice or circumstance and look back on it.  However, what we don't know are the repercussions of the choices we made at that time when we get down the road from where we are seeing things as being 20/20.  What we may think was either a good or bad situation in our past may in our future come to be a curse or a blessing in disguise.

What do I mean?  Well it's like this; we all know the saying, "you're damned if you do or you're damned if you don't", right? Like the women who knowingly always ask the same stupid question, "Do these jeans make me look fat?" Well if you don't want the answer, don't ask the question.  Better yet put yourself in the guys shoes.  Either he lies and says, no when you do, or says yes and then she gets mad at him for answering a question truthfully that she really doesn't want the answer to.  The poor guy knows he's damned if he says yes or no.  Either way it's a no-win situation.  So why put yourself or him through that?

Here's an example that just happened to me just this week.  I was out doing some errands that didn't need to get done immediately.  I was just filling my day/night with stuff to do. So after leaving Wendy's (If my fitness coach is reading this - relax I had a side salad and a dry baked potato) and on my way to Kohl's with a pitstop scheduled at Dunkin Donuts (doesn't everyone drink coffee at 9:30pm?... well greek people do) Back to the story... I was rear-ended at full speed by a lady in an SUV while sitting at a red light.  At first all these thoughts of, "If I just had stayed home" or "I should never have gone to Wendy's" ran through my head.  All I could think was what I should've done or wish I had done different.  The truth be told, I still don't know what the lesson is that I am being faced with through this situation.  Yes my car is a wreck and yes I was injured, but is there something in my future I have yet to come into that is a blessing?

Sometimes life is like that.  Take Michael Jackson and his doctor.  He is currently defending his entire life's work and what he did in those last moments of Michael's life.  His defense is that he removed the vile's of medicine to preserve the image that would be portrayed of MJ had he killed himself.  Though on the other hand it looks like he was trying to hide something instead.  In the end, the Doctor's still damned if he did or didn't because he should never have left MJ alone with such drugs within his reach let alone give him those drugs in the first place.

"Your windshield is bigger than your rearview mirror because you are supposed to spend more time looking forward than you are looking back." - Joel Osteen

Now, no I don't want to get all doom and gloom and that's not the point of my blog.  My point is that in life we have to make choices.  In reality the only thing we truly do possess to be 100% all our own ~ are our choices.  So here's how I look at it in my Greek Noggin.   Sure life can give you lemons, but who says you have to make lemonade?  Why can't you just slice the lemon and enjoy the wedge in a cool glass of iced tea?  What's wrong with lemons anyway?  Oh well then if life is a bowl of cherries, you have to deal with the pits, right? But what if they are maraschino cherries and plopped on top of a vanilla sunday? Then what?  Is life still sour grapes? because if it is, isn't that we make wine out of?

I guess what I am trying to say is, no matter what we are faced with in life it's all a matter of perspective as to how we perceive things.  Let your Yes be Yes and your No be No. Own your choices and learn to be content with what life hands you.  Like Michael Jackson said, sometimes we are "talking with the man in the mirror" and that man is us, and sometimes life is a test and on the other end you never know what blessing may come from what you perceive to be a curse.  Like my beautiful blue "Johnny Jetta" being destroyed could lead to a Bumble Bee Camaro... a Camaro named Camille or Christian Just sayin' ;o)

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