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

Just Breathe

The holidays are coming. Every year it seems like they arrive faster and faster. Pre Black Friday sales and deals being advertised as early as the first week of November. Ads coming at you from every which way from the TV, laptop, phone, you name it someone is advertising to us on it.

The more connected we become as a society though it can be said that all of this information overload is actually doing more to disconnect us than it does to connect us. I know some people who are so fed up with it that they just disengage from technology all together, or for periods of time to get away from the noise. I mean really, what's the point of a social media feed if it's not going to be the things you like and want to follow and instead be just lots and lots of advertising that some algorithm picked "for" you? Silly if you ask me.

So with the hustle and bustle season about to move into full swing I wanted to take a moment to remind people to take a little time to breathe. Everyone has lists of things that need to be done, goals, dreams, and to do's that at times may never seem to end. At the end of the day though, it's not about the quantity of things we stuff into the twenty-four hours we are all allotted every day, it's the quality that matters.

The Holiday Season starts with Thanksgiving. Which in my humble Greek opinion is a really great way to start. Forget about everything that needs to be done and take the time to reflect on everything you have done and accomplished in the last day, week, month or last year for that matter. Take a moment to consider your victories big and small. Rome wasn't built in a day and too many people don't give themselves kudos for all the little things they do that really add up.

Whether it's helping others at your job, volunteering, or just people in your everyday life. Look around and think about whom you have touched with your actions big and small and I'm guessing you'll have a whole lot to be thankful for. Some people focus more on what isn't going right in their lives instead of looking at the things that are. Then there are people who are never satisfied, and they are always looking to the next project or adventure and so busy moving forward that they never stop to smell the roses or celebrate the fact that they were able to walk the path where the roses bloomed.

I'm thankful for coffee, endorphins, dogs and cats. All kidding aside... I'm thankful for my faith, my health, my gifts and talents and the opportunity to use them to bless others. I'm super thankful for my amazing wonderful, gorgeous superman of a husband. I'm thankful for my family, my victories and my challenges. Because every day is an opportunity to learn something new and grow in ways we never know. My wish for everyone this Thanksgiving Holiday is to have a little time to breathe and just "be" happy.

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

Break The Internet

OK we get it... you want everyone in the entire world to see you naked. Duly noted.

Now that some of the dust has settled and almost everyone in the universe has seen Kim Kardashian naked yet again I thought it would be a good time to add my two Greek cents to the controversy. Anyone who has been reading my blog for any amount of time just had to know I would have something to say about this muckery.

First to the people who say Kim Kardashian has absolutely no talent whatsoever and that she is famous for "not being talented", I beg to differ. Mrs. West is extremely talented in keeping her mug or in this case her naked body in the public eye. Thus further driving her fame and income. So to that I have to say she does have a talent, she is a talented business woman.

What I don't understand is why is she and so many others like her today are so fixated on people seeing their naked bodies? Really I just don't get it. I mean private parts, big deal, we all have them. Why on earth are people so obsessed with the entire world seeing them naked anymore? Is nothing sacred?

For that matter why don't we all just run around naked? Everyone from babies to grandpas. It would be a whole lot cheaper not to have to buy clothes and shoes. Heck why not break all the rules and just do everything in public. Like maybe have sex with whatever or whomever we want any time we want. How about just making it the "norm" to go to the bathroom in public while were at it too?

Seriously leads me to wonder where is the line. Why does it keep moving so far, where will it stop, if it stops at all? Makes me very sad for the generation coming up today. My little niece and nephews are growing up in a generation that isn't striving to become Dr.'s, Lawyers, Scientists, Astronauts, to cure Cancer or Ebola... but instead are striving to get the perfect "selfie" and to be "famous". To really make something of their lives, you know by making it into American Idol, Dancing With The Stars or the ultimate sign you have really made it in today's society, to get your own Reality TV show.

Makes me wish Kim Kardashian or someone would actually just break the internet once and for all. That it would be broken so I couldn't even write this blog. No Facebook, no Instagram, no Google. Maybe then people would stop trying to "capture" the perfect moment and start living their moments. Actually get their heads out of their devices and talk to each other again. Or shall I say "learn how" to talk to each other.

Has anyone besides me noticed that the more "connected" we become as a society the less we are communicating? It is happening everywhere you turn, from the workplace to shopping, even eating out. People seem more and more to have a difficult time making eye contact, and they appear to be so wrapped up in their own noggins that they are not even actively participating in what they are doing. Whether it's taking your order at Panera, the person ringing you up at the store, even at places you would think they would be paying attention, like your doctors office. I could sit here and relate over a dozen episodes from just the last two weeks that would make you wonder if someone from the invasion of the body snatchers hadn't kidnapped some peoples brains. Never in my lifetime have I seen people so disengaged in their present activity.

I'm guessing you have seen and experienced similar situations in your own life. Now I know "Change" is supposed to be good and sometimes it is.  Not all change though actually is good. Better, faster, sooner, NOW... The "Now Generation". We're moving so stinking fast that we don't even have time to experience the present moment. For crying out loud this year stores have even moved "Black Friday" up by rolling out the deals two weeks before Thanksgiving. Some stores are going to be open all day on Thanksgiving and I just heard that Kmart will be open for 48 hrs straight... What the heck in the world? How can anyone "Give Thanks" if we are focused on getting to the next deal?

Slow down. Speaking of slowing down, so I'm sitting on the couch Friday night with my husband minding my own business. It's about 6:30pm EST and were eating dinner. I look up to see a commercial for a new cable show. Before I even realize what it is for, smack dab on my TV is a threesome, you read right, a threesome. Two girls and a guy were sitting in a bathtub naked on my TV screen at 6:30pm on a Friday night. I almost dumped my dunkins on my lap. Now if you think your squeaky clean Greek Girl next door was shocked to see that image, just imagine what the little kids who were innocently watching TV at the time must have been thinking. Especially those who do not have solid loving parents to guide them.

Which leads me to a very important question. How is it that the FCC can fine someone for saying the "F" word on TV or the radio, but think it perfectly acceptable to advertise a "Me'nage a' Trois" on cable television at 6:30PM. For that matter why would a network put a show centered around a newly divorced woman with children and her sex life on TV? I mean really... who cares? The writers in Hollyweird really can not come up with anything more interesting to do a new show about? Bueller, hello calling Ferris Bueller.

Personally I would love to see people like Kim Kardashian using their "celebrity" status to sprinkle more positive into the world. Can you imagine if people like her used their finances and influence to set a positive example for kids growing up today? Just let your mind wander on that for a minute. I'm not saying everyone should dress like a church nun and retreat from the world going back into the 1950's.

Imagine how much impact could be made in peoples lives if celebrities actually paid attention to the fact that people are watching them, and they are influencing future generations whether they want to or not. We the people have a choice. Personally I'm  speaking as a Christian who is bothered by what I see in society today. This isn't just for Christians though, this question is to everyone. We have a choice. We can either retreat from the world and pop culture, or we can dig our heels in and decide we are going to impact it in a positive way. Whether that impact is something as simple as buying or not buying or watching things that don't fall in line with your values. Or using your gifts and talents to positively impact the world through business, art, music, and culture. Because if we don't do it, someone else will... Ask yourself honestly, do you like what you see?

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

How To

Here's my personal homemade "How To - Video Guide" on Operation Mustard Seed.

So with Thanksgiving upon us I wanted to say Thank You to all those who have pledged to my campaign so far, more than  45 people! It always makes my heart smile when I receive an email from someone I least expected to pledge with an encouraging word or note.  This is a huge blessing that I am very Thankful for!

In addition to the kind emails, I have also received a lot of questions about #OperationMustardSeed ~ Now if your inside voice is saying "What are you talking about Greek Girl, what is this "Operation Mustard Seed" ?  If this is what your inside voice is saying, then you probably need to go back to step one and visit this link: 

https://fundanything.com/en/campaigns/operation-mustard-seed?col=-29526

Since the Campaign launched on November 11th - I have had questions about how to pledge, so since all of you who read this blog should know by now I'm a "Talker" not a "Typer" check out the "HOW TO" FundAnything #Video on #youtube ! 

If you Like my Music & Message and want to be a part of adding a little Salt & Light to the world via Music...  

Then Please #Watch #Learn, #Pledge & #Share !

Thank You, have a beautiful day and a very happy Thanksgiving! 

Blessings, Love & Music ~

Ava xo
www.avaaston.com

Expectations

I like doing my own thing - regardless of what others around me are doing.

Life is full of them.  Everywhere you go and everything you do expectations are everywhere.  Sometimes they are obvious and other times not so much.  It's like the song, "Signs" by Tesla.  We are always faced with signs and expectations put on us by people and circumstances around us.  The song says it quite well, "Long hair freaky people need not apply."  My question is, "Why not?".

What am I talking about?  Well, take this week for example, it was Thanksgiving.  So what is it everyone immediately equates with Thanksgiving?  Turkeys.  But why?  (I know Greek Girl did take history... and I know it was the Pilgrims giving Thanks for surviving) But why can't we do the unexpected?  Why do we have to get together with the whole entire family?  Why do so many people follow it up with a trip to the mall on Black Friday?  If you ask me it's because we are programmed to thinking and doing what is expected of us.  So, instead this year we did things different at the Aston house.  We had a London Broil cooked on the grill with a little A-1 Steak-sauce.

A-1, It's how Thanksgiving is done. :)

Now take me for example.  I am an independent recording artist who aspires to be an internationally known act on the same level as The Goo Goo Dolls and Kelly Clarkson.  But because I am over 20 years old people tell me I can't be serious and have to give up.  Or they hear I would love to be able to perform on Broadway and immediately I am told the "standard expectations" that go along with if you can even be considered for Broadway.  Then my all-time favorite is that because I am married I should have 2.5 kids by now, love sewing, and be up baking apple pies at 5AM.  Nope no way, my honey does the cooking around here while I'm downstairs in my sanctuary working out!  That's just how we roll.  And we don't have kids, we have dogs.

Don't get me wrong, I am all for a good apple pie but really?  Why all the silly expectations?  Why the rules and the stereotypical answers to everyday situations?  It's like my newest song, "I Don't Even Care" (lyric video below), that talks about this very thing.  There are tons of people and expectations we place on ourselves and molds we try to fit into in order to do what - keep up with the Jones' - or to please others?

All I am saying is, life is way too short to not do what you want and not what others expect of you.  It's one thing to be respectful and to maintain a civilized manner and of course obey the law.  That's not what I am talking about.  I am saying, too many times in each of our lives we are faced with people and situations - mostly people who don't like our choices.  They feel like they are an expert at how you can best live your own life.  They act like because they have been around the block a time or two that the rules and situations they encountered must exist for everyone including you.  This is especially true to those who are either close to us in our own lives or they are the gate-keepers who can help you along your journey.

Basically, I see it like this.  God gave us all a free will.  He also called us to stand out and to go the extra mile.  He even said we should walk the road less traveled.  People will know us by our fruit and if we are all bearing the same exact fruit all the time, then how will they know us to be any different?  How will people want to come to know God through us?  For that matter, how will God know us as being responsible with the gifts He gave us?  He put in each of our hearts a gift and talents.  Each of which are specific for our purpose here on Earth.  So, in order to fulfill that purpose, one that can only be fulfilled by yourself, then you can't live by the expectations and rules placed on you by others.

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

Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday, shop til your mouse drops, or carpal tunnel whichever comes first...

Well friends if you have spent any time on the computer this weekend I'm sure you couldn't miss the ads bombarding you for Cyber Monday.  Cyber Monday?... Um it is still Friday (at least it was when I started typing this blog) Seriously?...  Not to be a Debbie Downer or anything but I have to ask - What is becoming of us as a society, really.  Is nothing sacred anymore, or is it just me?  I mean my leftover cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes are not even gone yet, and the media has already gone gaga over Christmas or shall I say the glorification of the "commercialism" of it.

Now, don't get me wrong the Greek Girl loves shopping just as much as anyone does.  What gets me is the fact that the meaning of the holidays is getting lost entirely in the whirlwind of shopping, decorating, shopping online and everything the media tells us we "should or could be doing" or better yet buying.  I hate to have to be the one to point this out, but there are just some things that can not be put into a package and placed underneath a tree.  What ever happened to spending time with the special people in our lives who make our lives worth living? How about taking time to reflect about what we have to be thankful for and how blessed we are.  I don't know about you, but when I heard about the "Pepper Spray Mom" in California my noggin almost burst.  What in the world would possess an individual to do such a thing? And this woman is raising children mind you, (scary thought).  Think about it, she pepper sprayed people over an X-Box.  I hope they do find her and I hope they lock her up and through away the key.   What kind of example is that to her kids?... "Oh it's ok honey, this is how you get what you want in life, you just hurt other people as long as you get what you want"... Sad.

I know some people enjoy the thrill of the deal and all the power to them, I love a good deal (just ask Mr. Bricks when he is looking for me and I'm not answering my phone because I'm at Kohls spending my hard earned Kohl's cash) ;D but... when the shopping gets out of control it just really makes me wonder.  This year some stores opened as early as 9pm... on Thanksgiving Day.  I mean I know the people who work in retail know they are going to have to work holidays, etc. but what about letting people have a little time to relax. Just my humble Greek Blonde opinion.

Anyway, as for me I stayed home on Black Friday and I will be home on Cyber Monday, but not typing away on my keyboard for deals.  I will be typing away to drive my fans from all my social media to visit my kickstarter campaign.  What?!?!?... you still have not gone to pledge yet?... What in the world are you waiting for?  You can be a part of making my New Album for just $1.00 download and you get a cool song to listen to while you are spinning through the mall or while you're staying home like me! ;-D  (Click the link below to learn more and get involved)

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/avaaston/ava-aston-new-album

Christmas is not about the gifts.  It is about Jesus, it is time to love your family, friends and cherish the short time we are here on this earth. To make memories and to give to others, yes some people chose to give presents and there is nothing wrong with that, I just wish it would be a little less commercial I guess.  Anyway, I wish you a beautiful blessed day!

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

Click here to learn about my KickStarter.com Campaign and how you can get involved.

Thanksgiving

Stuffing the turkey is complete muckery

Thanksgiving is by far one of my most favorite holidays of year.  I know most of you who know anything about the Greek Girl know how much I love it when it's flip-flop weather and may be surprised about this.  Yeah, that's true, however there is something so magical about this time of year.  I guess somehow growing up in the Northeast where you can really connect with what the traditional aspect of Thanksgiving really was with the Pilgrims helps get you in the mood. Maybe it has something to do with the field trip or two or ten taken to the old world colonial parts of Massachusetts.

I can't tell if it's the turning of the leaves or the cool crisp autumn air when I go out for my run.  Whatever it is yes I might be sad to put away my flip flops, but I get happy again when I breathe in the cold air and stop to reflect on how many things I have to be thankful for.  No, not everything in life may be exactly the way I want it at this particular moment.  On the flip side, I am alive, I have a roof over my head, I have all of my limbs, I am healthy, and I am loved.  Aren't those really the most important things anyway?  So often we can get so caught up in trying to get everything "done" and are so busy chasing things, goals, dreams, whatever it may be that we may forget to cherish the things that we do have.

So today I am stopping to count my blessings (yes even my manager Mr. Bricks and all of the time he spends at Mc Donald's vs. getting me a record deal).  I hope you have a beautiful blessed Thanksgiving no matter where you are, what you are doing or who you are spending it with.  Remember as long as you are breathing you are blessed.   Hope you enjoy this "Thanksgiving Edition of Ava the Diva".

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

Click here to learn about my KickStarter.com Campaign and how you can get involved.

Open Season

Me learning to shoot a gun. Oh no, better look out now!

It seems this time of year brings out something in all of us that makes it like open season.  No, I don't just mean because Hunting Season opens in NY this week, just in time for Thanksgiving of course.  Nothing like a bunch of drunk hill-billy NY'ers running around the woods in upstate NY with a long-gun while stuffed up on turkey and ham. Okay, if there is one thing the Greek Girl does not go for it's Open Season.  The day you ever catch me raising a gun or any weapon for that matter at an animal is the day you check me into the looney-bin.  Now, don't get me wrong, I am not one to supress the right to own and use a gun.  If someone is up for hunting and that's their thing, well so-be-it, just don't offer me any of your dead Bambi.

But aside from hunting for deer or wild-turkey, it seems the Media has declared it's open season on everyone whose running for president in the GOP (figuratively that is). Everyday we hear on the news that one or the other candidate has some sort of scandal they have to uncover or cover or whatever, it all makes my noggin hurt.  Regardless of who anyone may be rooting for, to me there just seems to be way to much muckery and meanness going around.  I don't know why they can't just talk about the facts without getting all personal and loosing their cool, just sayin.  Of course that would probably be too grown up and since when did politicians ever act like grown ups anyway? ;D

Then you go and look at the news and see that all around the country we've got crazies pouring into the streets with tents and bongo's because they don't like banks or student loans?  It's like some crunchy hippie yahoo has declared open season on the banking system.  What I don't understand is how these idiots occupying every city think they are going to accomplish anything other than annoy the heck out of the rest of the country.  It's so counterproductive it's not even funny.

I just wish it were open season for Ava Aston and that Mr. Brick's had my calendar filled with dates and meetings with record execs.  Instead... he's off cleaning someones antiques and eating the last bits of the McRib's before they disappear again.  If it were up to me, I would be Bambi and every record exec and booking agent would be setting their aim on me instead.  Oh well, until then I guess I gotta keep plugging away.  Back to the salt mines...

The cool thing is that in light of all this chaos and confusion as to what "open season" is taking place this week, I did get a bunch of rough cuts  for the new music I am planning to record in January.  Oh wait you didn't know?  Living under a rock again huh?  Well,  the Greek Girl is declaring her own "Open Season", but this one is in the recording studio.  I have signed a production deal with Killingsworth Studio's here in NY.  They helped me record my song "We The People" and some of the tracks on my album "Gone".  Well, once I get my KickStarter.com campaign funded I will be racing on down to record these tunes.

I am so psyched about these songs I can't wait to share them with you.  On top of that, I am waiting on the final song for my 3-Song EP titled "I Don't Even Care" that I made with my oh-so-talented cousin in Upstate NY.  That one should be out before Christmas - for those of you who can;t wait to download it.  If you want to learn more about how you can help make it Open Season on Ms. Ava Aston visit my Kickstarter campaign now.  Hope you have a beautiful day!

Blessings, Love & Music ~

Ava xox
www.avaaston.com

Click here to learn about my KickStarter.com Campaign and how you can get involved.

Thanksgiving: A Day to be Thankful?

On the fourth Thursday in the month of November we celebrate Thanksgiving Day in the United States. It has been a day of over eating since 1621 when some yahoo in Plymouth, Massachusetts invited the neighbors over to celebrate a bountiful harvest without first telling the wife.

You should have seen the muckery when she found out she was having all of the neighbors and a bunch of Wampanoag Indians over for dinner. She was pissed.... Oh I wasn't there, but my manager Mr. Bricks was. I think it must have been where he learned the art of over eating. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if Mr. Bricks goes to McDonald's tomorrow and orders Turkey McNuggets and a cranberry shake!

Yes, the original concept behind the holiday was to celebrate a bountiful harvest. However nowhere in the history books did this Greek girl ever read that the pilgrims ate and ate until they puked or popped the buckles off of their pants.  They didn't over eat and neither should you. If you do end up eating so much on Thanksgiving day that you have to unzip or unbutton your pants just to breath, then let me tell you that is wrong on so many levels!

First off, no one wants to peek at someone elses underpants after just eating. Especially if it is one of your older relatives who sometimes forget to wear any underpants at all. -- OK, that thought just made me vomit a little in the back of my throat - I am so sorry for the visual. Secondly, over eating is just plain unhealthy. You do not need one slice of every type of pie.

I am wondering why on Thanksgiving Day some families also feel the need to serve a potato fixed 10 different ways? It is Thanksgiving Day -- not National Idaho Spud day! These potato happy families have mashed potatoes, boiled potatoes, scalloped potatoes, scalloped potatoes with cheese, baked sweet potatoes, sweet potato pie, garlic mashed potatoes, and on and on with the spuds. I know the potato is a super food, but when you have 10 different types of potato dishes on your plate for one meal, a potato goes from being a super food to a big butt. Don't believe me? Check out Mr. Bricks' rear end next time you see him -- oh dang, I did it again, I gave another revolting visual. My Bad.

TURKEY TRIVIA: There was a very short time in our country's history when Benjamin Franklin was lobbying to have the turkey as our national bird! His good buddy, Thomas Jefferson thought it was a fowl idea and fought Franklin hard on it. As rumor has it, the male turkey is called a “Tom” turkey by Mr. Franklin as a snide reference to Mr. Jefferson's turkey rebuff.

So tomorrow as you enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with your family and friends just be thankful your Greek blonde friend Ava was able to remind you not to over eat so you can keep your pants zipped up. You will be thankful for that. We all will.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Blessings,

Ava

xox

Please vsist my website at www.avaaston.com