Where is all the $$$ ?

Lately, my conversations with people have seemed to revolve around the current financial crisis of wealth, entitlement and who who in america needs to get paid. So, as musician I feel obligated to share my opinion. I have found that if we would run everything through a simple common sense filter, we would find that everything can be broken down into an equation that the simple laymen can comprehend.
3 areas: Public v.s Private sector, America's Current role in Foreign Aid, How to reduce debt. Ready here we go.




Public/Private Sector

Look, if you want to make money, enter the private sector. If you want to make more money, then own your own business, do it your way, provide a service/product that doesn't exist, that's better than the competition and make money your way.
Public employees render a social service. There will always be an earning cap, where the value/cause is (theoretically)traded for providing a social service. ***hint If you are in the public sector instead of complaining about wages, work a part time job/ or take up a money making hobby. Its only logical since the rest of the country has to employ multiple sources for income.

-Falsehood
"Athletes and entertainers should make less than policeman, firefighters, teachers etc.

NO. Tax payers pay the wages of policemen etc, we cannot afford to pay athletes/entertainers nor should we want to. This is a silly argument. Remember the formula Private = potential $$$$
Sports, movies, music is all private industry and the have the right to charge $50 a ticket to an event. Don't like how much salary an athlete makes? Don't go to game, ever. Problem solved.

Foreign Aid

I only bring this up because a hot topic has been America's current role in providing aid to Somalia. Living here on the west coast I have to filter the Liberal agenda's with Midwest conservatism and here is the compromise... NON-Profits.

Look, funding terrorist regimes/countries is something everyone can agree should not be done with tax payers dollars. "But what about people dying of starvation"? Let me ask you this, when did it become the Government's role to act as a primary relief agency to the world? Can't find that amendment in the constitution.

Who would say that the US government is the most kind, compassionate group of individuals? Ever been to the DMV, Social Security office, or the court house and you say other wise. It is people, who love people the most. The key is non-profits. Put the resources in the hands of organizations that's sole focus is to aid others and are already on the ground and set up in places around the world. People's who job is to serve, and have real compassionate hearts. Sorry, the churches and most non-profits simply do it better. Maybe there is less red tape or maybe its because its passion. Before the government can fix the world, it needs to fix its backyard. Our Government must focus its tax payers resources on tax payer(domestic) needs. It is not the United World's of America but the United States.

**Principle-
Here's a thought, if you can't afford something you shouldn't buy it, right? Called living in your means? Well when America can't pay its bills, has to cut domestic diaster relief and is unsure of future pension plans and social security benefits (and medicaid for that matter)how we can justify taking tax money and spending it in foreign affairs?

#3 How to reduce debt

Listen up Washington, here is its for ya. Simple way to balance your budget:
-support local businesses (patron)
-reduce spending. Period
-get a second job

Look its a lose lose, but all of us are already cutting out entertainment, movies, Netflix subscriptions, and Gucci hand bags lol. We all have already had to make adjustments to our spending habits, downsizing houses, and shopping at thrift stores. When there is no money people are going to have to suck it up and bite the bullet.
You can live off beans and rice...but most of us want our i-phones and filet migon.

Just a thought, or two or three.


Jackson

Boring people have no stories to tell

Well, it has been over a month now since I moved across the country to Los Angeles. A lot has happened since I have been here so figured I should update everyone.
This past week I’m am proud to say I set up my first California business as well as my own music publishing company (least of these music). I have received my first substantial (not paid in pennies) royalty check. I have been song writing almost every day with many different LA artists. I even worked in the studio as a singer with the producer who found sean “diddy” combs and Mary J. Bliege. I’m been in contact with the writers for Justin beiber and have received my first publishing deal for tv music. Next week, I’ll be playing my first show on sunset strip at the World Famous House of Blues. This all sounds fine and dandy but truth be told, it has not been a LA LA land experience. Stress, fear and loneliness have been the central themes of the past month.
The first week I was out here I literally lived in a dream world. We were staying with a friend in the Hollywood hills, Sean lea was in town, we hung out went to the beach, and life was good. Then through a series of events, Nate and I found ourselves looking for a place to live. Needless to say week two was filled with tons of stress, doubt and fear. This is a hard place for anyone to be in, moving across the country to pursue a calling to only doubt your initial belief. I will say this, even through all the perils that I faced, I knew this would all just be chapter in my autobiography someday. Needless to say, I now have a great apartment up in the valley, huge living room, have the studio all set up, walk in closets, no adjacent walls with neighbors, yea I’m still blessed. In the middle of this crisis I began to let fear overwhelm me of not having steady income. The job I had been promised out here seems to be delayed…the market out here as you can guess is as tough as anywhere. It is easy in times of great uncertainty to question, and questioning is good because it will only provide solid answers (I encourage you to do so).
Since being here I have seen so much growth in my spiritual life. I have learned the meaning of daily conversational prayer. I have experienced what full dependence on God taste like, for food, and shelter. Since coming here I have been going to Angelus Temple (dream center Church) and one of the things that Pastor Barnett said is that “parents will either instill hope or fear into their children”. I have to say coming from an Italian American family, there is lot of fear for the wooden spoon, but I can say with gratitude that I have been at peace because of the hope that is in me. Thank you mom and dad for placing that in me, and I hope every parent out there realizes the power of words. I recently have been spending time reading ezekial and how he was called to a rebellious nation. Powerful text, I’ll go into detail later, for it deserves its own page.
Through this all I have learned boring people have no story to tell.

Yesterday I was listening to a performance on NPR from a musical theater/rock and roll composer I had never heard of. Honestly he was terrible. But his second song (some how I kept listening) impacted me. It was one of those moments you knew that God was speaking through you, even through the most bizarre circumstance. He sang a song about a man who wanted to be rock and roll artist but was terrible. He would play show after show and no one would listen. He was terrible because he was boring and had no story to tell. He didn’t come from the ghetto, never had to rise from the ashes, just a plain boring suburban man.
This might sound farfetched but I feel that God has led me through trials to preserve my art. In order to make me a true artist, maybe God needed for me to experience every kind of emotion. Whether or not it is the case I am thank full because my art has not suffered but only thrived. There is something surreal about having no backup plan and wondering where you will stay for the night, or where your next meal will come from. No I’m not homeless, nor starving but the reality of it not taking much to get me there has been surreal.
It is not the valleys in our life that define us but the way in which we react to them –Alcia britt Chole
Lastly, I know its been forever but the album will be done in time for a fall release. I’m planning on returning to Springfield to host an amazing night of music as the world premiere for the new Album the Verge. I’ll keep you updated as things will progress quickly. If you want to be apart of the night let me know I’ll need lots of helping getting it rolling. This is it, the beginning of path that will lead to hopefully many lives changed and impacted through my music, message, giving and life example. I have so much to say, but no is probably reading. I’ll explain more about the concert event and about my vision for my music venture in the upcoming stages.

Good night.

Jackson

One breath from eternity

On the eve of my departure, this is the overflow of my current condition.

The day has come that I always for saw but never could understand what to brace myself for. Tonight, I spent my last night not only in springfield but under my families roof. After all these years, I never could have braced myself for the burden I feel. The tears, don’t stop and the goodbyes are never ending. True friends come out of the woodwork, and all things I overlooked now have become daily highlights of what I’m leaving behind.
If I could say one thing it would be don’t move. But if I may say a second thing, I would say follow God in whatever he has in store for you. Growing up, I never imagined the day would come where my life’s call would take me away from my comfort, and most importantly my family. As I venture off to California tomorrow, I can only hope that I have discerned God’s voice over mine. Most people have mistaken me for someone who is overjoyed to kick the Midwest goodbye and pursue the Hollywood luxury. Well, let the record state that that the Hollywood luxury doesn’t exist, I’ve been there. True luxury comes with spending time with those you love. I hate that it has taken me losing my family to value them. Tonight, I don’t wish that I would have spent more time with my friends, went out for one more latte, or worked another hour, I wish I would have been home for one more family dinner, or played another board game. I wish I could laugh around the dinner table one more time, or enjoy a cup of tea with my mom, go camping with my dad, make guitar Christmas videos with my sister, or create another fake radio station on cassette with my brother. I wish I had the strength to not cry, but I don’t.
I know that I was made to create music and I hope that I can radically change people through it. Giving up what I have is not worth anything less. I will give up everything for the lords call to be upon my life, but not for anything else. I know I have hurt people by leaving and all I can say to you is “please forgive me, and know that I am doing what I am called to do”
Springfield is home. It is hear that I developed my moral code, grew my faith, developed as a musician and became who I am. I am a product of this community and I am thankful. I hope to always give back and return some day. I have been blessed to have been around such great friends, and mentors. Thank you everyone who has played a role in my life, your efforts will ripple through the rest life.
Life is short. Please, do not let it slip through your fingers like sand. Enjoy this world. Travel. See as much of God’s creation as you can. Don't work for a company/career you do not enjoy. Love your spouses, so you may live long and prosperous together. Change the life of others. Invest in your family. In the end, they are all we have. When the dust settles, it is your brother that will bail you out of jail (figuratively speaking) your mom that will feed you, and father who will provide for you. “Live life for those you love and no one else, nothing else matters We Are Only One Breath Away From Eternity, So Inhale Slowly.”
Goodbye springfield,
You will be missed.
Jackson

How corporate america taught us to "Clock in and out" of our personal lives

So it has been a very long time since I have blogged. I honestly, I stopped because i didn't want it to become something to draw attention towards me, and i felt that it was moving in that direction. But, life has happened since then, and I realize as a human being and an artist I need a journal, I need an outlet. Whether this blog or another develops into that outlet is to remain, but for tonight, that's what it is. So I don't care if anyone reads this or not. The Internet is there for those to choose to use it and I feel the same about my writings.

This originally started off as a face book status but after being 630 something characters over the limit, I figured it would be a good time to revive this blog.

This all comes as a response to post i saw from a very good friend and want to share it with you first so you have a reference point.

Do not try to make God fit you.When you die, He will continue as He has. He is sovereign.His will is perfect.We are not God.When we focus on ourselves, even if it is to better ourselves, we make ourselves a god.Instead, focus on Christ and His will.Glory in every breath.Glory in every suffering.They are His story being told.The end is Christ.Look to Him in everything, even if it changes you.Hopefully it changes you.

I got to thinking about how lately I have been so consumed with my personal agenda that i have neglected in investing in things/people that don't align completely with that agenda. I realized the fallacy of this direction after having a close friend point out the error in my ways(this is a sign of a true friend, and if you don't have people in your life that can do this do you, you need to get them. They take time and investment, a but a friend like this is worth its weight in gold). So in my response I saw this comparison to how we as Americans feel its OK to just clock in and clock out and not be invested because we have a different personal agenda.

Corporate America has taught us that "putting in the minimum or required expectation at work should be translated into our personal lives. Think about it -

People used to work by the hour - work over time to earn more money
People now work on salary - there fore watch the clock and leave on the dot

In our personal lives we donate exactly ten percent of our tithe, nothing more nothing less, we give our family what is expected make sure we are home for dinner, spend some time maybe on the weekends (sunday afternoon if we're lucky).

I feel like whether it was corporate America or some other institution we have lost the art of full fledged invest in what we do. Full investment in our art or craft or trade, our family, our work, our country, and our livelihood. From my travels, i've seen how the rest of the world gets this principle .... Look at Egypt, they get it. They are fully invested in their future and "clocking in and out" wasn't good enough for them. How many of us would take a day off of work with or without pay to spend more time with those we value?

When will start fully investing in everything we do? From our families, to our jobs, to are very future?

I can't tell you how many times i have sat and watched the clock waiting for the time i put in to be complete. This work mind set has destroyed my character. I used to be so passionately involved in what i was doing but this year i have seen how the focus can shift when you are not investing every moment. The reason I watch the clock is because I'd rather spend the time with my family (which is worth investing in ) but I have seen this behavior creep into my personal life. This apathetic behavior has effected my art, my relationships with my friends (I'll just spend a short time with you long enough to have my presence be felt then I'll go do my own thing or what i want to do). I have also seen it with how I give to people. Because I get paid to serve others, it has been easy for me to forget that serving others has to have no personal agenda. C.S. Lewis recently reminded me of this principle.

I know this writing is not eloquent nor is it formatted to flow to the best of its capabilities and for someone who is getting a graduate degree in English you would expect their writings to be of a higher standard. Well let this be a fair warning to you that this is my personal overflow. I'm writing what comes to mind, not what makes sense.

I must close these thoughts for now, it is three am and tomorrow is a full day, like all should be. I pose these questions because I am fearful how I got here and wander how everyone has as well(hopefully not but fearfully most have). I never saw my self as someone who would settle or not be fully invested in something. This concept was foreign to me. I always had motivation in what I did. During my undergrad, i had tons of motivation for graduating. Even when I worked in restaurants knowing this was just a pay check to get me through school, i had motivation that i would never go back to it once i was doing what i loved. So in school and even at work i would have plenty of motivation to get me through the dry times. I never had a clock in clock out attitude (or for most part i didn't). But suddenly i find my self submersed in a mindset of preventive investment. Motivation is harder to find these days, is it because of the economy? I doubt it, money has never seem to be a motivator to me. I'm going to one of the most expensive schools and that doesn't provide me motivation to invest fully in my studies.

I feel im in bondage to just existing and not living and how everything I'm doing is in preparation for the next step. That my schooling is preparing me for the next step instead of experiencing school for whats its worth now. That my role at work is preparing me for advancing in the company or my skills instead of living in the role I've been cast. How my musical focus is on things that haven't happened instead of finishing the projects I've begun.

I hope i can revive in me the person who despised complacency and would never had lent a hand to apathy. I refuse to "clock in & out". I want to invest, and then harvest the fruit.