Sandy.

Hello friends! Long time no talk. It's been a chaotic and eventful year for me. I have two new babies and an album coming out. Dan (my husband) is also about to launch another massive album cycle. Let the touring begin.... We have a lot going on. Through all the madness,  I thought I would take a moment to write about my new record "Sandy".

For years I have dreamt of writing an album that I could perform myself. I do have limited guitar skills, but I am also kind of a traditionalist in my songwriting. I love keeping things simple. I enjoy writing all kinds of music. Electronic, folk, country, rock... I hate limitations. This record is personal because I hardly ever write love songs. Nearly all of the songs on this album are love songs. One of the tracks, "Cracked" was written years ago when I met my husband Dan. It's probably one of the more vulnerable songs on the record.

My first single and the first track on the record is called "My Man".  I love the throwback style of the track. Joshua James (Producer) really tapped into the part of me that loves older music. My influences for this record range from Cat Stevens to Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline. The reason why the album is called "Sandy" is because I felt as though I was channeling Sandy from Grease at times and it started to become more fun for me to play with that character. I don't want to say too much about the record before you have had a chance to sit with it. I look forward to hearing your thoughts... Unless of course you don't like it. Then I will have to find you and throw you off of a bridge into rapid moving waters where you will hopefully be eaten by man eating fish and grizzly bears. 

Happiness

Is it something that is always fleeting? Is it possible to achieve a consistent state of happiness? No highs and lows in life? Just utter and complete contentment? I actually think it is possible. But only through one word. Acceptance. In my lifetime (which is just a minuscule blip in the span of all time and eternity) I have come to know happiness as something I only get in exchange for complete acceptance. Why am I writing about this today? Because I think there is something to learn about being in harmony with what is. I think that if happiness and harmony are something that you seek, then it's important for you to transform the idea of what you think you need. We spend a lot of time imagining ourselves some place we are not right now. We wait for the day when life will get easier. We imagine that some level of success will bring happiness. These ideas are false. They truly are. Human nature isn't meant to feel content because in some ways it's counter productive to our survival. Our drive to survive has us feeling like we need to constantly do more to earn our place and our peace. This idea is how we partake in the human rat race. We begin to resent the journey and live for the finish line. The sad truth is that the finish line almost certainly will never come. When we reach one line, there will be another. Its endless. The opportunity for happiness starts today. It's a choice that you make to be good with how life is now. To say that no matter what happens, you will breathe through it and say okay.  Practice saying "Okay".  Know that you determine your reaction to life. Feel what its like to be in control of your relationship with happiness. You can choose it for yourself, and nobody can take it from you. I can honestly say I am the happiest I have ever been. I know that the reason why is because I have let go of all the things I thought I wanted. I have let go of thinking life owes me something. I have let go of the idea that I know what life is supposed to look like. Now I am open. I am open to the doors that present themselves. I am happy with who I am as I am. I am not trying to get someplace else. Im not missing what is happening. I am here grateful for every minute. Every stage of life. Sometimes I slip back into my old ways... But i am getting better at reminding myself. All the love in the world. 

Aja

Beware of my rant.

Everywhere I look, I see something that is starting to eat away at me. I see large companies controlling and running the world. I see power hungry people putting more money in their pockets at the expense of nearly everything surrounding them. We have an obesity crisis, along with an all time high disease rate. The cost of healthy and natural foods are high, and the availability is scarce. Processed foods are pushed like drugs and they are perpetuating health failure because of the sugar content. Our livers just can't process these foods, and so we are experiencing health problems we never anticipated. Who markets these foods? Who insures that they are more affordable than healthy foods? Who reaps the profit when we are forced to consume them? Large bulldozing companies that buy up the patents on all the seeds and force farmers to grow corn and soy. This brings me to my next topic. Agriculture. The meat industry is ruining the worlds natural habitats and using up our worlds water source. There are outrageous statistics that tell us we might not have anything left in 20 years if we continue this way. Imagine a world of desert, with no rainforest. Imagine polluted oceans that can't sustain any life. This is a hard reality. We like to think that someone at the top is being responsible and making sure there are limits on the amount of abuse this planet can take, but there is nobody doing this. My next topic is clothing and products. We go to the store and we buy things. Everybody looks for a good deal. But in order to keep costs down, labor costs are ridiculously low. These large corporations don't have things made in the U.S. where nobody would accept 70.00 a month for a full-time job. Someone thinks that its okay to pay people a wage this low because they are living in an impoverished country. Its not okay. They still can't sustain a family, nor do they have tolerable work facilities. Many of them put their babies on the ground next to them while they sew fabric thats been contaminated with toxic chemicals. Yes. Sweat shops are running rampant still. Every time we buy a cheap shirt from a cheap retailer, we are voting to keep these companies operating this way. In fact, every dollar we spend on an unethical item, we are contributing to a large global problem. This might seem like too much information, and a little extreme. There is a lot for us to learn if we are willing. ts just the reality of what is taking place. We aren't shown the full truth, because if we were, our conscience and inner compassion wouldn't allow things to continue this way.

What can we do?

1) Shop at the farmers market (Its healthier for you). Buy clothes from ethical sources  (handmade) and shop second hand. (It seems expensive to live this way, but you will promote a higher quality of life for yourself and others.)

2) Write to the large companies telling them that as a customer you demand that they pay their employees as if their factories were in America. Also demand that their work environment be safe and free of toxic chemicals. (They will probably send you a letter that says they meet all the regional standards of the factory location, and that they care a great deal for their employees. Just write the letter. Hopefully enough people will speak up, and  these companies will be forced to change eventually.)

3) Stop buying meat products. Yes. This is a really hard one. I don't want to tell anyone to be vegan... But this agricultural nightmare is destroying the earth we live on. The methane and waste from these cow pastures are causing more damage than the oil industry. Also, we are having a water crisis and the worlds water supply is quite literally being consumed by cows. (It takes over 1,800 gallons of water to raise one pound of beef.)

4) Nobody is perfect. In the society we live in, it is virtually impossible to have an invisible footprint so don't dwell on the mistakes. Just do your best to promote a better world, and spread the word.

5) Its hard for some people to change. Don't point fingers at those living a different life than you. You can't guilt anyone into changing. People need to understand the problem in order to relate to a solution.

Thanks for taking the time to read!

Love Aja

If you want to learn more, here are some amazingly informative documentaries:

(I find that documentaries are a good source of information, but its always good to understand the opposing argument as well. Always keep an open mind.)

"Cowspiracy"
"The true cost"
"Food, Inc."
"Fed up"
"A place at the table"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=399zTE6FwtY

Grow.

I tend to burry my nose in news at times. It can be a hard thing to have a sense of global awareness because once you start looking at the worlds issues it seems like its a never ending abyss of darkness. Its crazy to think that every person has a different reality. almost 8 billion people in this world and not one story is the same. When I was growing up, my mom would tell me how lucky I was. That there were children all over the world starving. That bad things were happening. I happened to be born into a safe environment with parents who would love and protect me. I had food. A warm bed…. How quickly I learned to take that for granted. I was sneaking around doing stupid stuff with my friends, obsessing about how skinny or chubby I was getting. Drinking and doing whatever else that represented rebellion or freedom at a young age. It was so easy for me to unplug my brain and pretend that my problems were important. Thats what teenagers do right? Magnify mini dramas. My mom would say… "Aja you think you are a spectacle, but nobody really cares what you wear ." I remember thinking how "mean" I thought that was of her to say. Hahaha. Embarrassing to think back on. But all a part of growing up. Then slowly its as if consciousness started to seep in. As I grew older I could see myself more clearly, and then I started to explore my relationship with the world. With others. Everything became a game. How can I treat people? How do people treat me? How do I let others effect my mind? Why are my emotions unstable? What can I do to have more control over my emotions and my mind? What is "good"? I want to be "good" because I know that "bad" feels yucky. How can I be good? How will the world respond to me if I am good? How can I be better? How good can I be? Can I actually get rid of my selfish tendencies and my ego? Man I could go on for days… I went to work. And hope was blossoming inside of me. I was looking at the world through different lenses. I made a bunch of vision boards. Big cardboard collages of the things I wanted to attract into my life. Every time I got stuck, or lost, or afraid of the future, I made a vision board. I convinced others to make them too. I really did (and truly do) believe that if you want things to happen in life you have to visualize them and say what you want out loud. After years of vision boards my life started to change. First there were subtle shifts. And then it happened rapidly. I noticed that every transition point had a crossroad. Right before a major shift happened I had to chose a path. One of them was scary and exciting and unpredictable, and one path was safe and obvious and almost complacent. At every crossroads it seemed I was going to make someone uncomfortable. There would be people in my life used to the way things had always been. They had adjusted to a comfortable and predictable me. If I was going to rock that boat, someone would be upset with me. I found that as long as I followed that honest voice in my heart. The one that said "I really want to go down this path" My life would progress beautifully. A lot of times the transition points were horrific. I felt as though I was responsible for other peoples feelings. You know I learned that as long as my integrity was in tact, I would be okay. I definitely made some pretty serious mistakes at times. How I handled situations was less than perfect. I am only human though, and that means I have to practice forgiveness as well. Cant go around hating myself for things that happened in the past. I can however try to do more "good" in the world then "bad". And make right where I have wronged. I know this seems like a rant. And thats probably what it is. But I just want to say that as I sit and pay attention to the news and the world, I have a choice. I can either keep challenging myself to be better. To think bigger, to be more brave. I can treat the world with kindness and love and work hard to help those in need. I can be a good listener, and not be afraid to hug someone or touch their shoulder with care, I can smile more often. I can look at whats happening in the world and allow it to soften my heart so that I share it with others or think of ways to help. I can be conscious enough to not express anger to a common stranger over petty road rage or waiting in line at the post office. I can choose to educate myself, and challenge my spiritual thoughts, or lack there of.I can ask big questions and seek out the answers. I can create, I can invent, I can grow....

Or I can stay right here. Stagnant but safe. A little hurt by the things I have done, and bruised by the things that have been done to me. I can not pay attention to others, and not worry about what "good" or "bad" is. Not worry about a global consciousness. Not worry about what I am doing here or how I got here. I can not feel overwhelmed by what is. I can live inside of a small yet comfortable space where only a few people exist and feel really safe.

Sometimes the second option sounds good. So much less work. Almost like a vacation from thought.
I get it. I get why so many people stay in that space. Aside from the fact that its a privilege to not have to care, Its just easy.

Dont do it. Expand yourself. Grow.

Thanks for reading.
Love Aja

How can we help?

I am sitting here with a heavy heart. You know, I have always had a deep urge to help the world become a brighter place for those who feel dim. That being said, its easy to feel helpless in a world this big. I have found myself spiraling down the ,"what can I even do to help anyone?" tunnel so many times. I know that music has always been a platform for me to encourage people. I am grateful for that. I still find myself wanting to do more. Lately I have been speaking with people about the refugee crisis in the middle east. The thing is.. Most of us just assume these problems are bigger than we are as people and way over our heads. They seem unsolvable. They might not be solvable right now. Thats something I have had to face. But does that mean I don't look at it? Learn more about it? No. I am looking at it now. I am seeing so many displaced families. Mostly children without parents. Where there is war, there are displaced women and children. Those women and children are just like Arrow and I. Wow. They have no city, no neighborhood, no school, no home. I want to help them. I want them to have food, shelter, love, comfort. I want to find out how I can help. I know the best way right now is to look at it. To bring awareness to it. To show people whats happening so they can feel a connection to it. If this was happening here, we would be forced to look at it. Read about whats happening in Syria. Over 2 million people have fled in search of safety. Over a hundred thousand dead. Lets talk about it. Lets read about it. Lets find a way to be involved.  Here is a link about something that happened this week. This school was actually targeted. 

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-reports-of-napalmlike-bomb-attack-on-aleppo-playground-emerge-after-mps-vote-against-military-action-8790841.html

Random post about relationships. Open for discussion.

Yes. I deleted this post. Honestly after I wrote it, I myself felt that it was a little judgmental.  There are so many people with so many different stories I can't begin to put anybody into a box. It was on my mind off and on for the past few weeks, so I just decided… " Aja, you don't need to back this up if you feel differently about what you wrote now." So I took it down. Love you all. Thanks for helping me grow.

I am going to be a mother. Its the greatest gift of my life. I am tremendously fortunate to have a loving family, and a perfect husband to support me in my choice to be a mother. My life has been a series of coincidental blessings. I wouldn't say that it has been a perfect road, however I would say that it has brought me to what feels like a perfect destination.

I married my best friend despite our drastically different upbringing, and our misguided understanding of what normalcy meant. I had the courage to follow my heart in a world where people get caught up in the logistics.
If I could pin point utter and complete happiness, it would be me today. I feel that I have everything. Does this mean I have a mansion in the hills? No. Does it mean that I have fulfilled my aspirations of being a successful artist? Maybe.
What my happiness means to me is that I have followed my heart, and allowed the beautiful spirit to guide me.
My life mission is to convert negative energy into positive energy. Its to come into a place where I can choose to be happy no matter what the given circumstances are. I hope to impact peoples lives in a positive way, and to surround myself and my family with as much beauty and light as possible. As a singer, my goal is to spread love and light. I consider myself a communicator before I am even a technical singer. I also want to be a good mother. A good teacher, and a good partner to my husband. And I am sure our child will teach us just as equally. Those are the things that are important to me.
I haven't documented my pregnancy thus far publicly. Mainly because I am a pretty shy person, although I know thats not how it might seem. I felt that it would be important for me to include the people that have so inspired me in years past. You. So, here is my baby girl all wrapped up in her little cocoon in my belly. She is healthy as far as we know, and very used to her daddy's music as we have been on tour throughout his rise up the charts. In a few weeks Nico Vega will tour for about ten days on the west coast and I am hoping to see some of you.
Thank you for allowing me to share this beautiful experience with all of you. If there is one last thing I would like to leave you with, it is this...

Its easy to find problems to focus on. Its also easy to take issue with every menial misfortune in life. The challenge is to find and experience happiness. The trick is that its not something that you must find. Its something you already have. You either choose it, or you choose otherwise. That is how I became happy. I chose it. And this little girl is every bit a part of that bliss.
Love Aja

Out with the old, in with the new.

Spring cleaning is more important than most of us think. Winter is a very stagnant time period. There are many amazing things about it, but feeling fresh and new is something that happens in the springtime. Its part of the cycle of life, and its our opportunity to be reborn in our lives, and bring in new energy. Don't be afraid of getting rid of things. We are fortunate enough in this country to have the luxury of owning junk. If your junk doesn't make you feel good when you look at it, get rid of it. Out with the old. It doesn't matter that its worth something, or someone special gave it to you. If it drags you down at all, or is just in the way, ditch it! Life is not about material possessions anyway. I was fortunate enough to have a mom and dad that taught me to clean. If you didn't have that, it doesn't mean you have to live like a slob. You deserve to feel good in your personal space too. When they say, "Messy bed messy head." they are referring to how hard it is to focus when you live in chaos. Creativity needs space to be free. It needs a clean slate to flourish. This is a small reminder that spring is the time to have a page turn. One of the first steps is cleaning. Create a new space where you feel free, and this next year will have the chance it deserves to be your year. In with the new!

love Aja

Tis the season.

Today I would like to write about the Holidays. We all have different experiences surrounding them. For some of us, they hold fond memories. For others the Holidays may remind us of painful experiences, or stress. We all know that the Holidays are supposed to be about family, and maybe thats why they can be tough at times. Not everybody is in love with their family. In fact, I know quite a few people who have never felt loved or supported by the people they are related to. In turn its hard for them to love back. Its okay to try and accept things as they are if you can't change them. Nobody has complete control on the outcome of a situation. There are always so many factors. Surrendering and trying to let go, or accept may be the only peaceful option. Even then, it may not feel peaceful. That being said, this time of year might reel in a lot of emotions. It is also the time of year when things might feel stagnant. People are wrapped up with their families. Business may be slow, unless you are in retail. Creative inspiration may dwindle as mine does. It's the end of the year, and we are all getting ready for a new perspective. In winter things die. In spring they are born. I have always loved the Holidays. They bring nostalgic memories of being a child. We celebrated Christmas in my family, and it was the time of year when my brother would stay the night, and my mom would wake up at 5 in the morning. Sometimes I would wake her up, but I think she was just as excited as I was. We would make a fresh pot of coffee, and cocoa, and go into the living room.  My mom would bring out a tray of pastries or homemade donuts. The stockings were my favorite part because of the little individually wrapped, well thought out trinkets. I could have had a stocking full of second hand goodwill finds (Which usually was the case) , and it would still have been my favorite part. As I grew older, we decided to make a new policy. We would only gift stockings at Christmas, and that most of the contents needed to be second hand. Some people in my family have a bit of stress surrounding Christmas. The time, money, wastefulness, and feeling like they would disappoint began to spoil the beauty of it. In recent years it has made things a lot easier to have second hand options. It's not as wasteful. Christmas became more about food, and gathering together. I have thought really hard about what the Holiday season is about. We know that Christmas is about Christ the savior coming into the world to bring light, joy, peace, and acceptance. Im not making this a religious post, but I want to point out something that may help people appreciate this Holiday more. Tis the season to be Jolly. It's the time of year when we should take time out of our busy schedules to connect. It's the time of year to spend more time thinking about others than ourselves. It's the time of year to help someone. It's the time of year to make an effort to be more loving and accepting of those that surround us. One of the most important things that you can do this time of year is listen. Listen to the people that you love. Ask them how they are. Ask them if the need any help. Show them that they are a priority. Give love. If there is someone far away that you are thinking about, write them a letter. If you are poor and you can't afford gifts, send an email with links to all of the things you would buy for them if you could afford it. I promise you it will be far greater than any gift you can buy. Don't let your memories of this season determine its meaning. Create a new memory full of thoughtfulness, and love. Talk to strangers. Offer help. Don't be too shy or prideful. The worst thing that can happen is a simple no thank you. This Holiday season is not about money, or gluttony, or wastefulness, or material things. It is about giving love unconditionally. Happy Holidays to all of you beautiful people in the world. 

Love Aja