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.

Hey everyone,

This is really, really cool deal.

So i'm going to be playing live for a brand new hip radio show called "Movers and Shakes" Its a business hour radio show that will change the way you view your money. So its a win win, get some awesome advice on people who are succeeding with finances even in this recession.

Here is the cool thing, i'm going to be the live music for show. So tune and and here me performing live. Also i recorded the theme music for the show so you'll want to check that out. If you want to get a sneak peak check the myspace page and listen to the theme song for the show. Its called "Thank You Boys"

What you need to do:

Tune your radio to AM 560

Tomorrow and every wednessday 2-3pm

And support your friend! spread the word

love you all thanks for supporting me and my endeavors hopefully we'll have a cd for you soon.

jackson

Things i've Learned From Surgery

I've had a lot of time over the weekend to ponder many things about life. Here are some of the things i've learned:

The Sex Appeal of Scruff changes at the point of full beard.

Drugs = misreable, undesirable migraines

Another year went bye that i was not nominated for grammy :(

Sweats become part of your body went you don't take then off after three days

My love for asia is apparent in my yellow cheeks

No body likes not brushing their teeth for 5 days

No but in all serious there is something that struck me last night that was kinda of heavy and i wanted to share it with you. I have been stuck in the house since Thursday, creating a severe case of Cabin Fever. Combination of this and Drugs i have had some serious migraines and constant form of anxiety. I 'm talking about being so anxiousness at times i have to just pace around the house because i felt like i was going to lose my mind. I felt scared that i was going mad, a sort of insanity had come over me.

Last night i stepped out side to get some fresh air. I was a beautiful night that i hope others got to enjoy. Like 50 degrees, cool with snow on the ground, it was so refreshing. Well i came to realize that the main reason for my anxiety was because i was relaxing. Yea, simple sit at home, don't do anything, watch some tv, eat ice cream relaxing. Most people would kill for the opportunity to do something like this but i really don't think that is the case.

Most of us americans don't know how to relax and take time out from our busy schedules. Now i'm not saying that all of 3 Million people are hard workers (we know that is not the case) and i think most can agree i work pretty hard but i think the majority of our culture is more BUSY than it is hard at work. We always have something to do, something to occupy your time. We don't know how to have a vacation. Ever been on cruise? You don't sit around and do nothing, the day is filled with activities, shows, special food events, shopping deals, games etc EVERY HOUR. Us american don't know how to relax.

I'm concerned for myself that i couldn't sit at home with out being anxious and not sit still. So i want everyone to be aware of the heticness in your life and try and slow down. Enjoy a up of tea ( coffee) take a walk in the park, take some deep breathes, listen to a cd all the way through, set aside at least one night a week to be free from structure. Lets enjoy this life we live and not just try and get by. Sit down and DON'T get up even for the phone, or the door, or your mom (ok maybe) .

Trying to live the life

Jackson

Where did all my Smarts Go?

Hey friends,

So for those you who may not have heard from me over the past few days and are wondering if i might have been on a Mama Lugina House Arrest Lock down, you would be correct.

Thursday i had all my wisdom teeth removed ( all 4 were cut out). I wasn't sure if wanted to get them all out in the beginning but after going through this surgery i would have never done it again.

This was the first time i have ever gone under the knife (first time i've had anesthesia), all these drugs have really messed me up i am totally not my normal self. Your lucky your not around me because i'm not the most pleasant person to be around. But who has high spirits when your face looks like the Michelin Man and your mouths dribbles the spoon fed baby food....

Hopefully i don't lose any of my intelligence because we all know i don't have much to spare. But hopefully in a few more days i'll be back to normal. Thanks for you prayers hope these pics make you laugh.

your pal -jackson

Details on the Haiti Project

Hey friends,

So Like many of you i'm sure you are aware of the devastating disaster in Haiti this past week.

Like many of you i think alot of us want to get involved in changing the world around us but don't know how or think we are incapable. We see other people who seemed to have the right connections or who give their life to a cause and we can easily get the impression that a life commitment is required to do such things.
Honestly, my life goal is to change this world and impact this world for the better.
Most of you know i have been fortunate to travel the world and see some of the most heartbreaking situations and places. I have learned so much about other cultures and how people of the world live in comparison to how we do.

Someday, i plan on making more of personal impact than writing a check. But God has challenged me since this disaster while i'm stuck in America to be creative with how i impact the world. This is my current situation:
Right now i'm a recent college grad, broke no money, starting this music project and career. Like many people i've been lately stuck in the rut of a mindset that "i'll make an impact later".

We'll i've decided even in my need i'm going to help people who are in a greater need. "What you did to the least of these you did for me". So i would encourage you even if you don't have money help people around you, for we all have more then most people of this world, especially those in Haiti.

Here is my plan:

So half of all sales i make for this month i'm going to donate to relief efforts in haiti. It might not be much but i want to challenge people to be creative in their fundrasing, make it a personal life changing action not merely a single check written to take a tax break. I want others to be creative in their own mediums and figure out how they can help. My Uncle told me he is giving 50 cents of every bottle of olive oil he sells to the efforts. I want people to think out side the box and make helping people a lifestyle choice not a mere obligation or action of duty.

I'm in the process of working on the album and have been thinking about organizations i want to support when it is released so if you have any suggestions send them my way, and lets all make our lives purpose to help others, give your time, talents and resources.

See...by supporting my music and my career you are going to change lives by just clicking play. So spread the word about your Piano Rock n Roll friend from Missori

Here is the link to the organization the money is going to. I have personal connection with them. They have been in haiti long before this diaster and will remain long after. 100% of money sent to them will go where it needs to.

http://lifeline.org/

here are links to get the music

I-TUNES http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/demo-09/id319972864

CDBABY http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/JacksonTylerHunt


AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/s/qid=1263785035/ref=sr_nr_seeall_1?ie=UTF8&rs=&keywords=jackson%20tyler%20hunt&rh=i:aps,k:jackson%20tyler%20hunt,i:digital-music


*Side note, i-tunes is the most user friendly but cdbaby takes the least off top so more funds go to artist through them which means more funds available haiti but feel free to choose which ever you like. Much rather you help support it then not.

Love you all, help me love the world

-jackson

Sincere Flattery

So last night my one of my best friends and his brother decided to dress up like me and my brother for Halloween. I was flattered that i was a notable figure in their heads. I can't decided if its a good or a bad thing that its apparently obvious how to dress like me because i'm so crazy. But i choose to be distinguishable so i guess it works. Crazy socks, cool ties, and Italian oh it was perfect. To top if off Weston carried around a piano and was singing "Dance Dance" bragging about how it was is on I-tunes.

The saying goes imitation is the most sincere form of flattery so thanks Weston. So if anyone else every dresses up like me for Halloween (which is apparently quite easy) send me a pic so i can post it because it cracks me up. Have a safe Halloween weekend


Much love

- j5