#Purpose How do we know?

Purpose! How do we know? Some people are born knowing their purpose, some people find their way into it. Many people believe they know their purpose, however, they find out later what they believed was was not really it at all. Some people succeed early on. Others become an overnight success after 20 years. Some people are known for their purpose and others make it known. Some are recognized world wide. But many never receive any recognition. So many people are lost trying to find their way into a purpose. The purpose is never lost within them. Unless discernment is withheld within themselves. Many times life itself redirects your purpose when you feel that you should be where anyone else is as opposed to that your purpose was interfered with by another.
Creation. A perfect design. We see others who live what seems to be a flawless life and hold no grace. We judge others who seem to be living an imperfect reckless life. But all the time intertwining a purpose-filled life. It is desirable to be recognized and validated. As fame is not evil; nor is money. But the love of this. As the Lord said to Abraham that ' you will be famous amongst all the nations.' As the Lord also said to David ' you will have vast blessings of worldly riches.' And of course as Jesus spoke the words, ' it is the love of money that is the root of all evil.' There are many things that alter our life's path that seem to postpone our purpose, but simply delay the succeeding and recognition of it. So many issues in life that redirect and branch off our purpose to succeed alongside someone, before someone and most importantly after someone who has a related quite similar purpose. The latter of these three is when we must find joy for those who have a successful revealed purpose before yours comes to fruition. Yet you are always serving it. It is very difficult on this day and age to know you have been gifted and blessed in a specific field, craft, career and through suffering and struggles have seen others who are not truly serving the Lord's purpose, but their own becomes successful, creating doubt and confusion of why give the gift and blessings that can not be fulfilled for certain individuals. Never the less the one strength of belief that you are still fulfilling God's purpose for yourself and for others must not be forgotten. But we do need others to motivate and validate, not success, but hope with an individual to encourage through love. And though the grandioso outcome of a worldwide successful career can be a wonderful feeling, simply asking how someone is doing, giving a nod, a smile, can do more for another's life than we ever could possibly know or imagine. In today's world, daily, we advertise ourselves. In the 80's I remember that a band that became commercially successful was considered a sell out. However now, if you are commercially successful, you are followed, liked  and revered amongst all others. And it is commonly stated that you did it all on your own. People name dropping, wanting shout outs , begging a follow back from a now famous person is the new absolute. But this purpose does not reach absolution. It's often stated in social media a person can be whomever they want to. Of course this is true; but sometimes, just sometimes, a person is being who they believe they should be. When you look at yourself in the mirror, do you truly believe you are living God's purpose for yourself? There are so many gifted individuals. Some exploit and take advantage of their gifts, a slap in the face to those who are gifted and blessed who have been wrongly imprisoned, been on the receiving end of horrible brutality, who have lived a lifetime of horrible illness, yet they never complain or feel pity. They never differ blame, they still believe, some have even lost their gifts for a short period of time or truly were never able to fulfill their purpose because they lost their lives, but the question remains of the fact did they serve their purpose? You can have 70 million people follow you on instagram and not change one person's life for the better. A purpose is not a reflection of oneself, how you use it is a respectful reflection of God. I am now 41 years old. Many know my sufferings, but I speak not in detail about them. Most of the time it is too painful. But it is not another's burden to behold. We expect and we demand with ill temperament using anger to reprimand. So again I ask what is purpose? Blessed are those who have the discernment to know what their purpose is. But we must think and feel and seek this out. We must help others to seek this out. It is not our purpose to understand another person's way. It is our purpose to respect. But we must not stand by and allow others to be wicked. We must not be right fighters, but righteous fighters. In reference to our presidential race, a God given purpose can not be held in contempt. We can not disrespect and degrade and/or demonize another to succeed and then speak as if this is God's purpose for oneself. I have often stated our words and our actions are only as good as the heart behind them. We are all sinners. As the Lord sayeth your sins will find you out. A true purpose allows you to recognize this. To carry love in our heart. As all of us are given a purpose, we should be living with one love. One heart. And one purpose. To serve the Lord's collective purpose for all. Without doubt there is no reason for faith. Without question you can not find the answer. And without the Lord, you can serve no purpose but that what you believe is for yourself. A purpose driven life is a fulfilled life. Those who have a greater voice than others. To set an example by serving their purpose righteously. Who must not take for granted as I've always said many are suffering, but very few empathize. Meaning to suffer along with. Your purpose is for you and you alone to know. But it is got you to share to value the life that was given to each and everyone of us and the life that was sacrificed to give us this opportunity. You can not fulfill your purpose alone. As alone, we did nothing to receive the gifts and blessings to fulfill a purpose. But it is our job and duty and of course responsibility to fulfill our purpose by coming together with in our struggles as without these we could not understand as the Lord sayeth I will suffer you as you will learn more through your sufferings . When we understand that we will never reach perfection, that is when we will finally be perfect.  In simple talk; purpose is no joke. It is not a game. It is a living, breathing life. The more we know about each other, the easier it is to fulfill our purpose. We complicate human beings. As human beings complicated themselves. We understand the purpose of a tree, of water, of air. This was not always the case. Within ourselves and reach other to understand what I call a purpose driven heart. So there question is. What is purpose? I reiterate what is  your purpose. Just as a tree, water and air, a true purpose does not take life, but gives it. Do not hold yourself or others in bondage as nothing happens out of God's will. Realizing that purpose is not a chance realization, but a chosen revelation. And as my health, as my suffering is quite prevalent, specifically right now this is my purpose that I was led to fulfill as of this moment. Use the tools that have been given to you. To be righteous and absolute in your purpose. Take care my friends
~ Joshua Jet Vaughan ~

To Pic or Not To Pic

First, let me start by saying hello. It has been quite some time since I have posted. The reason for my absence is for many different reasons.
Today I had a discussion with a long time friend. I jokingly state that if you mention a famous person's name in association with yourself, more than one time, it is not name dropping. But I believe on blogger this would be the first time so I will not mention his name.
So back to the discussion: Having a discussion with (lets call him) George who is an actor. It was about social media, partially about the taking of pictures, more so about posting them constantly on social media. George is quite a few years older than I and since he stays away from social media, I've decided to share more of my side of the conversation. Though he did not discourage me mentioning him. Per my own personal beliefs, I believe it would be disrespectful to speak of his personal point of view while he remains a very private man. So here we go.
I want to start by stating that fame is easy. Infamy is easier. Both are fleeting and contrary to popular belief there are people who want nothing to do with fame. Or don't care one way or another.
I was one of those people. To be honest I was both of those types of people. Until I reached the age of 34; fame had no importance or even a thought in my mind. Through much illness, I had really seen how the world was changing while I laid stagnant in poor health.
I then realized exactly what I could do with such a title. And to be an example for those who already have this mass forum of fame or infamy. Then I became very ill again and that all went to hell. That is for now.
But fame comes from exposure. And exposure, as of now, comes from the documentation of our every movement and thought; as people wait for someone to say they are worthy to be one of the famous.
Now that is quite a set up for what I am about to share.
There are many pictures and videos of me that have been taken or recorded throughout most of my life. Though only about 1% are in my possession. My two ways of life: I was or have been too busy living it and/or surviving it. I found it more interesting to document through photography and video acts of nature or other peoples lives.
Most of my earlier pictures and videos came from other people through my excelling in athletics. I have done something that no one else on the planet, that I know of, has ever accomplished. I was a first team all American athlete in four sports. In the sports of basketball and football; I was an all American on offense and defense, condemning this post, the other two sports are not relevant to name as I am here to make a point, not to brag. In basketball and football, I had been featured on ESPN many times. Though I went on to play collegiate football for the university of Michigan where I was all American defense and a national champion.
My passion and true love was the game of basketball. Why I chose football, over basketball, having equal opportunity to be a collegiate and professional athlete in both sports, to this day I'm still not sure of my reason to choose football over my true love of basketball to initially pursue as a career. Maybe some other post I'll cross that bridge. And perhaps I do know the reason, I just choose to ignore it as that time has long since passed. I was a professional athlete, but in none of the sports I played in high school or college. I was a professional mountain biker and snowboarder. Though in these two sports there is not much difference between an amateur and a pro outside of financial gain.
I also received two doctorates and started in the game of music. How you define a professional musician has the same difficulty as defining yourself as a professional mechanic. And I don't mean wet work, for instance in my friend Jason Statham's new film Mechanic: Resurrection. Well, shiver me timbers I just contradicted a prior statement. Quick detour and segue. (segway) Yes we have all seen that knowing someone famous will absolutely make you famous.
I'm sure you're all thinking get on with it as the title is to pic or not to pic.
 I grew up in a family that did not take very many pictures. At least of me. To be honest I wish I had more, specifically to share with my wife Anna Bella. But for others pictures seem to be proof. With photo shop and editing, you can be whomever you want to be whenever you want to. But we know when people are full of it.
So here's an anecdote about why I don't take pictures. It is simple and maybe even silly. But this is when it all clicked for me. In high school I was invited to the McDonald's all American tournament. This was a game between the two best teams in each class and division. How it started was that each state would hold this for classes A-D. Now, the tournament that I am speaking of is when they take the best players from the US no matter class or division. I took place in and won the dunk contest and though I had qualified or rather was chosen, for the skills challenge, I turned that down to focus on the dunk contest and the championship game itself. Which by the way I was the MVP of the game.  I could have went to any college or university in the united states. And could have went into professional basketball directly out of high school for several NBA teams. In my time, this was not common place or accepted as I graduated high school in 1993. A side note: I had played in AAU leagues and a little competition called Gus Macker. My team mate was always the eventual professional basketball player, Chris Weber. Chris and I were ranked one and two respectfully until he graduated as he was a year older, then I was ranked number one for the following year. So prior to the final McDonald's tournament you had your state's championship game. I was named Mr. Basketball for my state and the US that year. And then on to the McDonald's all American tournament. Though I have strayed slightly from my point, I am getting back to it. That year the championship games were held at the palace of Auburn hills where the Detroit Pistons play. As my division had already played, I was sitting second row with a group of friends/players watching class A. Back then which classes played in what order was based on a lottery system as opposed to now they run them in order. And unlike now there was only one game for each division. And one McDonald's all American tournament.
So to the story: I watch basketball on television often. Specifically the Chicago Bulls. When I grew up there were not many stations like there are now. Other than playing, I had never seen a professional basketball stadium from a viewing stand point. To understand how exceptional I was, as opposed to my 6'4" 265lb frame now, at the age of 18 I was only 5'8" 165lbs. Why is this poignant? I was able to succeed and be the best of the best without carrying arrogance because I was always having to work so hard as everyone was always so much taller. So I did not have time to think I was great. But this has been the way I have been my entire life. And though my family had wealth, means, opportunity, I found myself overwhelmed with oppression, possessiveness and restriction. Though for me and most others at this time, this was considered normal. The poignancy is the inability to see that which is right in front of you.
So yet again second row court side.  Myself and several of my friends watching the highlight of the tournament class A. All team members ranging from 6'5" to 6'11"  and not a white boy on either team. Even though I'm part black for me and my friends, it was a treat. Remember this was the time of white men can't jump. Other than myself of course with a 53"+ vertical. Us several boys had torn our ticket stubs in half as we were given special passes but also had to have tickets; gave our other halves to a few friends that were not players in this tournament so they had court side seats. And it actually worked.
 So now we're ready for tip off. 6'9" 220lb center. Tips the ball to the point guard. Sets up for a position, a pick n roll (I believe the centers name was Leon) he cuts through the left side. They throw an alleyoop. He grabs it and an incredible fascinating dunk occurs. But what was I, the amazing Joshua doing at the time? That's right, looking at the jumbo tron. A giant tv screen. I missed it. I missed what was right in front of my eyes in real time. Of course I jumped up and cheered as I swear to you it took me five seconds to realize that I basically watched on tv what I could have watched in person. Experience gone. Of course to satisfy my stupidity, as I told my friends, I and they stated don't worry we have the entire rest of the game to see plays like that. Not one other dunk that game. I have had a record number dunks in one game my junior year in high school at 9, beating Chris Webber's 8 that he held a year prior to this. I have to this day the highest points ever in a high school basketball game, at 78, yes 78 points in a single basketball game. I had accomplished several quadruple doubles and I had averaged a triple double my Sophomore and junior years in high school. In a game, though not particularly in my league, but in AAU and other tournaments including myself there were many dunks. On my basketball team in high school, our 6'5" center was the only other person that ever dunked in the game. So experiencing it in a game is different that experiencing it from a viewers perspective. After the class A game was a class C game, these guys were dunking left and right. I felt redeemed but not satisfied.
 During the summer after I graduated, after this experience, I went out and bought a Pentax K 1000, 35mm analog with a 50mm lens. I could have went digital but I was old school before there was old school.
My whole point of getting this camera was based upon that event. To take pictures of moments that had to be held in a still pic. Almost as if so I could enjoy what should be simply in my memory. I nabbed a couple pictures of lightning. One less than 20feet away. A picture of a hummingbird caught in flight in absolute still motion. A friend had a feeder, I set the F stop properly, and had a one second delay on my camera for lens closure, and nabbed it. But the problem was this, film. Development. And not letting your former girl friend's mother keep the pictures and the negatives. People take pictures of everything. But it's not for themselves. Or their children. Or their own experience. They take pictures to post on social media to say hey, look at me. Check out my clothes, my body, my hair. Selling themselves to the highest or lowest bidder. Hoping for accolades and validation. Not everyone of course. I have several friends on social media who post pictures of nature when they travel. Or special events such as their 90 year old grandfathers birthday. Or simply a street sign sharing part of their lives, and travels and exploits minus exploitation. Again I wish I had more pictures of myself or rather that are in my possession. My wife who is adopted, her parents had basically documented every moment of her life. Unfortunately one day went over to her mother's home while my wife taking a nap peacefully, had no clue that I was being subject to 21 years of pictures and video. My wife's childhood pictures can only be cute the first ten or twelve times. I suppose it worked out great for her parents as we no longer speak with them. The explanation is personal, but I will tell you this, the constant looking at these pictures by my wife's mother seemed to give her an attitude to live in the past with possessiveness and ownership towards my Andy, my wife. I had spent more time with my wife when I met her and experienced more with her in one month than her parents or her entire family did in the previous 21 years. As our relationship together, still of now, is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by each other's side. Should I have been spending my time taking pictures of memories, or making memories? Should I be thinking about the past, or living in the present, striving for the future? This has become very serious. SnapChat, Instagram, face book, Twitter, YouTube, on and on. When I started in music, I had a couple of friends that were musicians also. But they had the attitude that some A&R Rep would drive by their parents garage (garage band) hoping they would  see and hear them, and bam record deal. Now they post a pic or a video and are hoping for the same thing. What's amazing is that it actually happens. They get their fame, they get their record deal. They get their reality show. I stand by today what I said by 20 years ago. This is no way to make a career. The right motives and intentions have so much to do with everything. And if you're doing this for these reasons, 99.99% of you will be disappointed. The old sayin get busy living or get busy dying should now be get busy living or get busy documenting your every move and share it with the world. I have a few people in mind I could speak about who is doing this, and most likely exactly at this moment, but the fact that we're all thinking of the same people, well, we all know. And if you take the first letter of their last names, it equals KKK. There ya go conspiracy theorist and the illuminati.
So to pic or not to pic. As pictures have been an important part of our lives and history documenting and preserving our personal lives and the growth of our country and through this history allowing for significance from insignificance as time passed. In social media the documentation of your bathing suit, and a big butt, will have no baring on anybody's life and I hope to God will not be significant in our future to our new country's history. I end with this, to pick or not to pick. That is the question.
 One last note: Why is everybody else looking at everybody else's photos? Why are 70+ million people looking at pictures of one little girl on instagram? And she's only looking at a few peoples pictures. Does that not seem odd? What is so interesting? And since 90% of pictures with girls is with their clothes off, if you are married, have children, in a relationship, and if they are under 30 and you are over five years older than them, shame on you. Thank you, take care.
~ Joshua Jet Vaughan ~
Post Script: If a picture is worth a thousand words, then tell me what those thousand words entail. And since many pictures have long drawn out statements with them, you are now devaluing the picture itself. So you're not sharing a moment. I believe you are taking moments from others. Please put value and meaning back into your pictures. And for those who are married and have their husband or wife sharing pics half naked or completely. You're not sharing your life you're sharing your wife #KKK why did I just hashtag? It actually should be kk kk kk kj kj kj cj rk how you enjoy this post. There's just some things I don't believe I will ever understand. Nor will I ever want to. And if you disagree with me ask yourself this, does a picture of someone you know or most likely don't know with their shirt off, in a bathing suit, perhaps a picture of their meal, better your life? When I am 90 years old, I will not remember any of the people who post these types of pics. I will most likely not remember the pics themselves. Which begs the question why do we remember the pics of the seven wonders of the world? The great buildings. Great feats accomplished by man? Etc. When I used to see these pics I would think how I wanted to visit these places so badly or see that person do something so physically amazing; when i was younger when i wanted  to see a girl in a bathing suit i would drive a few miles to the beach. Now all I have to do is go on social media and take my pick of a pic. The only thing they have in common, still no touching allowed. And though this may seem a little off the subject, I am a very strong advocate for the homeless, starvation, and people with serious health issues. Maybe I can just take a pic of a hamburger and show it to these people and say enjoy. My point is is if you look at it that way it seems quite self serving. Have a great day and spend your time living your life. And if you're that great at something, believe you me, someone else will document it. And THAT is wisdom.

Inquire to Inspire

We often confuse happiness with joy. To many; our definition of happiness and joy may seem to feel the same. They are not. Happiness is an emotion based upon a momentary experience or even thought which is ever fleeting. Joyfulness is a condition of the spirit. It is never fleeting. To elaborate: Through life experience both are necessary. Your platform should be of joy and your forum of happiness. They must coexist. We are born with joy. Our joy gets lost within the confusion of happiness. So why must our forum be happiness? The reason is that we have become older and jaded. So we must utilize the momentary want of the emotion happiness to bring us back to the constant need of the everlasting condition of joy. And as we are our brother's keeper; if using this philosophy, creating happy moments for another allows joy to once again be our true fulfillment.
When stating an inspirational quote of your own or of another, think of this. There's no negative connotation to a truthful quote that reaches absolution. By example: Taylor Swift stated "haters gonna hate" the opposite of this is "lovers gonna love" though this quip that reached billions of people within 5 minutes is of ignorance and selfishness based upon her own circumstance. A blessed life that is dramatized and directed toward the new phrase twitter trolls. On an added note I remember seeing this statement on bumper stickers and t shirts 35 years ago. It is momentary and applies only to her at that time and is self serving. Albert Einstein stated this quote: "A life lived for others is the only life worth living." The opposition 'a life lived for oneself is the only life worth living' making Albert's statement universal. It was not made based on unhappiness or doubt. It was based upon joyfulness and faith. So please when stating inspirational quotes make sure the philosophy behind it is a true understanding of human nature, human need, and human suffering. You must empathize when inspiring. Meaning to suffer along with. We all handle our circumstance differently. How to be vague with specificity. When trying to inspire your words must resonate through all people in all circumstance. Your understanding must be greater than that of your own situation. I have told my wife and others this statement often. If a few words and/or a hug solves your problems then you have none. But we must still do this. In one of my quotes, your words and your actions are only as good as the heart behind them. Many times, too often we speak and we do not act. So if you are not self serving and you are truly trying to inspire; understanding that many people are going through horrible circumstance that we know nothing of and could not possibly understand, then if a person does not agree or the inspiration does not resonate and speaks this to the person who wrote the quip, and you receive this with empathy, sympathy, compassion, then that is truly inspiring. When you ask someone how they are doing, do you really want to know? I will use social media as an example. Social media is a representation of ourself in another form. Many do not favorite or retweet, like or share. I have spoken of this before. Usually comedically. If you are one of these people that does not do these things. Then you are doing all the talking and none of the listening. My advice, you can not learn anything if you do not stop talking and start listening. And you certainly will learn nothing about another person. So if you spend your time throwing out statements, philosophy, inspirational quotes, what could you possibly know when you know nothing of the person you are speaking them to. And lastly, I state this: We often state that social media is different than real life. That it is not personal. Then I ask you this, why are there over two thirds of the world population using twitter and facebook? If your life is so complete, and you could live without it, then why be on it? If you had such an incredible platform using your daily life ad your forum to inspire, then why does someone feel the need to inspire on twitter and facebook. So getting down to the brasstax. If you are unwilling to communicate with your friends on social media, unwilling to share and care, how does this reflect in your own life outside of social media? How can you inspire when you're not even willing to inquire. The old adage listen and learn, well I say listen and love. Start asking questions of people. Get to know them. The best way to inspire is to take the time to understand another person.  Two of the greatest statements by the greatest man are continuously over looked. As we regulate them through our own rules. Thou shall not Judge. Love one another as I have loved you. Do this and your words will truly inspire. And though not quite as great of a statement. Stop self promoting. I don't care what you do, I care who you are. I do care, however what you do for others and what you are for yourself. So I say this, the invention of inspiration is not just of your own. It is a creation manifested through you. Simply through divine intervention. If we are going through troubled times, how do we inspire? If we are truly receiving immense blessings, people look at that and become inspired. But as nothing happens out of God's will, your inspiration must come from the spirit. And into inspire others you must live by this. Our greater understanding is not always our understanding. It is to constitute a conduit. But there are times that it is our understanding. As I quote "I will suffer you as you will learn more from your suffering than from your blessings" and I end with this, do not mistake a man who has suffered as not being blessed. When understanding the blessings that come from sufferings;  suffering will end. And blessings for others will begin. And if my word is not good enough, or my example then the application of this knowledge comes from Jesus. Sufferings and blessings. Happiness and joy. Coexistence. Have perspective, balance, listen to the person who knows what you don't. Discernment will decide if this is true, so how do you know what you don't know?  By knowing what you do.  And how do you now know what you know? By learning what you didn't. Take care.











On a personal note: Why music resonates with me; though it should only take you about five minutes to read my post, if you carefully listen to the words in this song, which is also five minutes, you can now understand why music is an absolute. And if you understand this, you possibly could be on the right path.
Joshua Jet Vaughan

From the lips of an Angel

A few weeks ago my husband posted this on twitter. I thought I would share it as I feel the same way and am ashamed of many of our colleagues and fellow human beings, and hope that those who read, that are already of like mind, may learn something and pass it on. I wanted to write this as I titled it from the lips of an angel which I believe my husband to be, but know he is fat to humble to call himself such, and felt led to make that distinction.


Anna Bella Vaughan






Exactly a dozen times I have been asked to donate, favorite & retweet from multimillionaires. So I've donated more than most people make. In a lifetime in the last yr. I have faved & rted each time. These are my colleagues & supposed to be my friends. I have never crowd funded Nor asked for money for my causes because I have the money myself, I believe enough in myself and my cause to invest in it. I don't expect Friends to fav and rt unless I ask them. Obviously they may never see the tweet. But those I have reached out to, to fav and rt and haven't? Shame on you. I will always give, but I will do so never again for those who have asked me. And for those who have the money & resources To support their own cause, but don't even match what those with little money give, again shame on you..

Twitterants- hunting and fishing

I used to hunt I don't anymore I'm not against it Though my family was well off many people would have not survived w/o specifically venison And fish. The main reason for not hunting is; after doing so, I lost the taste for it b/c of a bad experience. As I have a home in Mi where Most of my youth was spent, people are now having a hard time 2 find food. The worst experience w animals was seeing a deer that had starved To death. So I love all animals and want to protect all wildlife, but with climate change, deforestation, starving humans & starving animals Sometimes hunting is the humane thing. And if you've ever been to Michigan, besides the water, the food banks for the poor & needy Are primarily filled with cakes, cookies and sweets. I had to state this bc of my family making a fortune from movies, music, logging, oil.  Through their greed, others suffer. And the laws in certain states are killing people. My wife and I are doing our best to help, as I have Unique experience and understanding more than most. And even though we would like to think everything's ok; &I am against the needless Killing of animals, especially for sport, every time I come back to Mi I see the same people who are still struggling that would not survive. If not for deer and fish .

Strength, Grace; Forgotten

Whether you consider this a poem, a muse, a declaration.  It is  the truth of humanity, of life and of our connected souls that we remove from each other.  You are born within horrible circumstances; almost a mistake, but you manage to survive.  You are different, innocent, without corruption or failure; living with a heart that is so huge and with so much love it can not and will not be penetrated.  It is not cold, it is not made of steel, it is simply fulfilled.  Inside of this heart is a natural born spirit.  It is held with strength and grace.  And this heart will not withhold it from others.  From the beginning of time, of your time on this planet: you see the world in all its beauty and its truth. You never waver.  You strive for your dreams and goals.  But your purpose is to help others achieve theirs. You are filled with joy when others accomplish, when others succeed. No matter what a person says or does in the negative, it affects you none. No matter what a person says or does in the positive, you were born knowing who you are so it affects you none just the same.  You live your life righteously.  An angel among men. As you grow older your perseverance is unprecedented. You start to realize that your heart is of steel. Your spirit manipulates this at will.  The love that you hold in your heart is constantly being released.  You hold so much that the need for it from others is simply not needed.  But that's what the steel is telling you.  You were born with illness. You were born with special needs.  You are a person that is classified as having special needs. This applies to the politically correct word that causes judgment and ignorance.  You are gifted by the hand of God Himself. Unique and perfect in every way. You're still getting older. As time on this planet will never cease to exist until it does. Eventually the confusion within your head and your heart sets in.  A corruption of oneself through years of suffering; and it's recognized by those who know you, and do not, as a dramatic change that has happened overnight.  And when do you really know anyone?  You do so when you look inside yourself and realize we are all the same through our differences.  You do not recognize yourself. You were born with an understanding of human nature that is unparalleled.  These imperfections had never applied to you.  From the common usage of curse words that were never part of your vocabulary.  The feeling of defeat and hatred that you knew nothing of.  But now has become relentless  in its pursuit to hinder your righteousness.  Your life has turned from dreams and goals to strive into what we would call hell just to survive.  Throughout your fight, as you never want, and have only, always, just needed; your want is now uncontrollable and insatiable.  You are ill. On the brink.  Facing life and death. But at this time, this does not bother you. Suffering. That is your degradation. Your kryptonite. Year after year you seek help, medical help, because you have adapted, be cause you have strength and grace, you hear the statement over and over: you can not possibly be sick. You are too smart, you are too muscular, you are crossing your feet as if relaxed. Sick people don't do this.  And then your revelation, you realize how different you are.  You realize exactly how well you understood, but still will never understand the truth of inhumanity.  You welcome death, but fight for life.  Your existence is to succeed; become a superstar.  To help others do the same, to become the same. You climb the mountain and get knocked down, having to start all over again.  But now you are so beaten  you are crawling up that mountain at a snail's pace.  Your physical strength has diminished; your hope is lingering, for your suffering knows no bounds and you know what is awaiting you at the top of the mountain.  Something happens. You find love.  True love. Someone who accepts you just the way you are.  Your strength is exhausted for them.  The corruption of your will becomes stronger.  And now your pace is of a break neck.  You have moments of surreality. You ask how can this be? But you can't stop now. Why is this? Because you were gifted true love. It will not let you fail.  She will not let you fail.  But now it is two who must suffer.  Just like I have been stating or perhaps using the word you, your words and your actions are overwhelmed as you speak more abruptly, as you become jaded; again, you use curse words to explain the relevance of your pain. Yet, it can not be explained.  And to another it will never be revealed in its truth.  Many people are born with what we now call special needs.  They used to be called retarded, then handicapped.  Just like those who have been given an extraordinary gift, incredible perception, understanding and love, they are binded and are bound by their illness.  Someone who has mental disabilities, it affects them physically. And physical disabilities that affect them mentally. They seem to have no understanding, they have outbursts.  How much of this is their disease or how much of this is their frustration for the fact that they know so much and love so much, but can not express it because their mind and body again is corrupted with illness.  The person who is never seen as weak; who everybody goes to with their problems no matter how sick they are, who in their health embraces all of this as a gift.  Who is so intelligent, so articulate, so strong and full of grace, so special, but now, because of their illness, they are considered average or even less than.  Every once in a while there is a person who comes along that has the ability to change everything for the better.  But physical illness that turns into emotional hardening, and a mind full of confusion, who is still the everlasting betterment of mankind, but has lost the ability to do this because of what seems to be an everlasting illness.  Who are the true angels in this world?  Who are the saints?  We spend our time and money on diseases we know so much about for the sake of science, but overlook the people who are enduring them.  I am not ashamed to speak of my gifts that no man has ever possessed. Yet so few have seen and heard because I have been horribly ill my entire adult life.  In my illness, with all I have accomplished within this, I know how easy it would be to fix my body.The problem from others is arrogance and the inability to listen to another. Specifically I will talk about special needs.  But I will revert to the old term, retardation so there is no misunderstanding.  They live in disease so severe that they are held prisoner within their own body.  Yet, they are angels.  There are those who hold themselves prisoners; waiting for that one Godly gesture and they are angels.  And once again, there are a few people that were born angelic, but because of illness and man, they are held prisoner just the same.  On a personal note about my feelings. People walk through this earth speaking of things they know nothing of.  The fickleness, the neediness, their arrogance based on insecurity.  They have no grace and no strength as this comes from the spirit.  It can not be explained or recognized from someone who does not have these.  They believe this comes from extreme riches, money, fame, worldly success that comes through recognition on the television screen.  Yet, these people are literally confined into a prison; a box that is literally no bigger than the tv you own/ they own.  A size of the bank that their money is being held in. And the group of sycophantic people that they surround themselves with.  We measure strength externally.  We overlook this internally.  And back to grace, until you have it, as I said, it can not be understood or explained.  Yet we feel it, as it radiates off from a few individuals.  But it can not be put into words, even by those who have it.  In this world we follow those who have a lack of substance, talent, humility; you will be hard  pressed to find a song that is nothing but one straight verse or one straight chorus.  A movie that is not a remake of a remake of a remake.  People question Christianity and spirituality for no other reason, as they are blessed in every way, because of their arrogance.  Because they need something to fill the void.  Because with them, moreso than others, seeing is believing.  Those who have suffered so greatly, they battle with doubt; doubt of Gods existence within themselves.  Then there are those who are blessed who battle to disprove to and for others.  I have battled.  I do battle.  Without doubt there is no reason for faith.  Where is my God who I have honored and have held steadfast with loyalty with no obsconcion or forbearance?  My physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual suffering is beyond anyone's understanding because it is beyond mine.  Why give me gifts and talents if I can not use them?  Why give me a wife when my pain is so great that I can not physically touch or be touched? Politics, religion, music, movies, all ran by children, no matter the age of the individual. They have no understanding or sense of responsibility because they have been through nothing to understand and have no one to be responsible for. Were we given these things simply to be entertained? Awarded to a handful of people who reap the benefits?  As one man says: fame is your virtue and looks at another and says you have none of this.  A person with God given virtues that are overlooked and forgotten.


It is human nature to want to be remembered, but now it does not matter what for.  Social media, a way to connect and share,  but is used to spout off any thought that comes in our head.  All of this lies in the wake of segregation.  Those who do not want to hear what others have to say, but must be heard.  They feel no shame or responsibility; as a blue check mark is their path to glory,we have seen how a small bit of fame can change your life; for those who have never had it, and their life changes for the better and so does the world.,  Each person that shows the possibilities of humanity, we forget 10,000 more.  Most of us know of Susan Boyle.  Britain's Got Talent.  Until she sang, most only looked at her with judgment and disgust.  With this fame, she was not forgotten, she was worthy.  Reaching the point where they actually cured her illness, because she was valuable.  But we have the ability to do this, the technology ,the science the medicine; people who take on the responsibility; grabbing onto an oath that they never preserve.


A lady who is considered a sociopath, but one doctor who took their oath seriously cared enough to look beyond the actions and words of this labelled sociopath. This woman had undergone brain surgery, finding a minute tumor that restricted her body's own production of iron.  When removed, awaking from surgery, she was full of emotion, deemed a sociopath no more.


Life can be easy if we don't complicate it.  I have seen people who live their life in competition.  You would say to yourself, I understand this, everyone wants to be the best,  but I have seen people who compete in sickness; who is sicker?  I have more pain, I am hungrier, I am more tired, and on and on. I have spoken of myself many times, having surgeries, but needing so many more.  How my youth has passed.  My wife who has been given gifts and talents, but when coming into a relationship with me, I became ill once again, so fast, life was put on hold.  So now I will be bold and blunt in my corrupted mind: people are selfish.  They whine and complain.  Their encouragement is for themselves.  Potential perseverance is overlooked by the ability to make a buck.  Needy creatures. Fickle and self-serving in nature.  And idly people stand by and do nothing.  People live in fear; afraid to simply speak their minds against the tyrants who rule this earth, this planet.  When I met my wife, I had no idea what Facebook, Twitter, even Myspace was.  I did not understand it.  But I thought while awaiting life saving surgeries, I could do good things with these forums.  And I find myself still not understanding.    People are so easily offended.  I was never a man who used vulgarity, but I will be straight up.  I see many people as cowards and assholes bitching about technology, having devices in the palm of their hand to do anything and complaining about how shitty their phone is or computer.  The more people we are able to reach out to, the less of a chance of being forgotten.  I give myself a pass on all of this bullshit.  I have sat at home or at a hospital with nothing to do.  I never stop thinking; yet before this I never stopped doing.  I don't like how my illness has changed me and I want to be better now.  I am referring to social media for one reason: we celebrate violence, vulgarity, sex inside of movies. We voice this same behavior on Twitter and Facebook.  But we are judged.  But these are forums, almost a separate realm to be remembered.  Before all of this bullshit we actually had to use our hands to get things done.  Actually taking more than 30 seconds to reach someone on the phone.  Yet, we can not take one second to hit a retweet button.  And we wonder why people are still sick and suffering.  Do you have the strength and grace to help one person and if you do this; is never being forgotten by just one person going to be enough for you?  Strength. Grace. Are you a superstar? What people have not yet understood is that we choose who is remembered and forgotten.  Can you remember that? Or will you forget it? Don't long to be a superstar... long to be a shooting star.  No matter how many times we see one, we always lie in amazement and we never forget it. Even once it is long passed.




~Joshua Jet Vaughan~

Oprah/ Moore/ Clooney/ Heston

When waking today I originally wanted to share a post about thoughts and feelings.  about overthinking and uncontrollable emotion; hence, balance. Then I realized that this would be a poor choice as I am slightly off balance today.

So today I want to post something that has been bothering me for over a decade. With a few intertwined stories that are related to character.

Over 10 years ago there was a horrible shooting at a high school in Columbine.  At the time Charleton Heston was the head of the NRA. Prior to this unfortunate event Mr. Heston was diagnosed with Alzheimers, dementia, and several other diseases that had manifested from these two autoimmune diseases. 3 days after the shooting, he had went to Columbine for the NRA to speak about gun control and of course, promote the NRA. With these diseases he was not in his right mind. Throughout the media it was said to be irresponsible on the NRA's part, yet Charleton received the brunt of the criticism.

Remember, this is not about the politics or beliefs of mine about the NRA or gun control. However, I will state this, I will speak of hunting for food. During my youth, many people would have not survived if they could have not hunted for their food. But enough of that.

I have family all over this world. I have 2 homes in Michigan, though I do not like the state of Michigan at all, so why bring up Michigan? Because of Michael Moore who grew up in the state. After Charleton had come back from Columbine, Michael Moore was on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

Now I must interrupt myself before I go on. I was driving one day and listening to talk radio. Charleton Heston was only given a few months to live at this time. George Clooney is the guest on the radio show and he said that because of Charleton Heston's belief in guns and representing the NRA that he deserves to have Alzheimers and now I paraphrase that his death will be that of karma.  

Back to Michael and Oprah; Michael Moore had went and bought a lifetime NRA membership. He used this to get into Charleton Heston's estate and manipulated Charleton into an interview. After about an hour Charleton caught on, in his diminishing capacity and asked Michael and his cameraman to leave.  He showed this video on the Oprah show. And then the plundering began.  Oprah and Michael took up in arms ( pardon the pun) the disrespect that the NRA but more importantly Charleton showed for the victims of the Columbine shooting.  They then went on to state that the NRA was manipulating Charleton Heston. And then badgered Charleton for not knowing better, even with having such horrible diseases. Yet, who's the manipulator? NRA? Or Michael for conning his way into a dying man's home? Creating propaganda, chaos, and essentially controversy for a man's last days on this planet, and Oprah for allowing this and taking part in this, and spinning this so that it supports their own conclusions.

On a side note: Remember, Oprah is the woman who laughed and smiled when interviewing Tom Cruise when he jumped insanely on the couch, then joined into the media frenzy of bashing Tom the very next day. Or the fact that she supports and voted for President Obama, but had stated that she had attended the same church that Obama had went to for 20 years and did not stop going until the media uprise when running, but said herself that she stopped going after two years, when she said that the position of the leader of the church Reverend Wright was and is (and paraphrasng) crazy and full of insanity.

Michael Moore grew up in the state of Michigan.  Eventually living in Flint, by the Detroit area, running a newspaper where my aunt was the editor-in-chief. Living in this state, Michael would understand the importance of guns and hunting. He now has a home that is about 2 miles from my and my wife's summer home.  This is a man who manipulates, cons and deceives to create his own success through the abuse of others.

Oprah is a woman who has become very successful by being passive aggressive. In this anecdote Charleton was the unwittingly star of his own demise.  People who jump on the bandwagon every time it passes by, and throw men like Charleton Heston under the bus even when suffering from a horrible disease that took his life, and George Clooney who wishes a man's illness and death because of his personal beliefs.  If we took an average man for instance a construction worker, maybe a brother or father, what would you do if a person said their illness was deserved because they believed in something you didn't. And isn't this attitude of these 3 people the same attitude that caused the Columbine shooting in the first place. The fact is that we look at people as gods and slaves or perhaps winners and losers.

I must apologize as the story is scattered, I am having a difficult day because of my illness.  But to all those who read this, I believe you are smart enough to understand. I said I was not going to get into my belief about guns but I will say something short. I am not against guns. I am against who gets to use them and what they are for. It is very simple; if we are responsible with a weapon that is powerful such as these, well there would be no problem. But we must look at our history and take in all accounts to make decisions about this.  For instance the war on drugs has done more harm, landed more people in jail or prison, for a few people's need to be recognized as they need a purpose.

So it comes down to this, we are responsible for our own actions.  We do not roll over people. Take advantage of them. And we definitely do not use someone's illness to benefit for our own personal success through ignorance.

To Michael, Oprah and George and maybe even the NRA, you should all be ashamed of yourself. Because of these people's worldly success we look at them as infallible. As omniscient and omnipotent, but I look at them as children crying over the fact that mommy and daddy won't give them a cookie.

Do not be impressionable or easily offended, and before you speak of something, you best have enough information through educating yourself to base an opinion through your words that come from facts not speculation.


Sincerely,
Joshua Jet Vaughan

Post Script: I know Michael Moore personally and I do not like him. In Northern Michigan there is a place called Traverse City, though most people would consider this a town.  There is an old State theatre that had been renovated, and Michael had started a film festival in TC. I had met President Obama in a bar in Traverse City having a beer with Michael Moore. My wife and I had donated a fortune to Michael's cause of bringing the arts to Northern Michigan. My wife, Anna Bella, had done more hands on work in her youth for this community than Michael has done in his entire life. This is not about receiving credit, this is about Michael is the only one that gets it and accepts it. Which is why the film festival is failing. People such as Madonna, Robert Redford, Tom Selleck, Tim Allen, who personally and politically have different beliefs, backed out of this festival because Michael made it about him and his politics which is what we all knew it was for to begin with, and if you did not, now you do.  So my final point, these people have reached great success. Their dignity and character is lacking, yet many still look to them as their yardstick.  I refuse to believe that hurting others is the only way to be successful and make progress in this world. And I can not idly stand by and do nothing, how about you?

The Disillusion/ Illusion of Help

Honesty. Integrity. Dignity. Humility. Conviction. All virtues we should possess. Most of us think we do. Yet, few of us have this, or rather these. But the question lies in the fact of why?

Humanity; human nature. We are fickle creatures who lie in neediness and self pity. As it is now; success has gone out of our immediate environment as to be recognized as important. Overwhelmingly so in the last decade. Success must be measured through the recognition of oneself on a global scale.

There is nothing wrong with the desire to be this for oneself. It is wrong for us as human beings to expect this of others, and if they do not achieve global success, they are simply worthless. As Donald Trump puts it; a loser. A definition of a person that is placed upon the shoulders of an individual passing judgment while knowing nothing of a person; an individual's struggle. And as they lie in judgment, they know nothing of what they speak of.

It is a world full of tit for tat. A question raised in each person's mind that is actually a statement. Who are you and you are not deserving of what you have. There is a contradiction within people when asking for help and when offering and giving help.

In the year 2015, to me, it is unreal, perhaps surreal to suffer in any way. The people who lead us live their life in the enigma of tit for tat; and the ignorance of competition that only separates when we should be united. Many times people passive-aggressively ask for help and when offered, they refuse it.  Sometimes it's because they want it on their terms; which can be irrational and illogical.  Other times it is hard to believe that a person would actually help when an individual has suffered for so long.

And then there is the madness and ignorance.

That a person helps another person in need for themselves for the inconsequential pat on the back. Essentially and ultimately having control and power over the person they are helping. If you tell a person; you will be healed of your illness or you will prosper financially; if you walk 50 miles, you will have this. As it will be an absolute and a definite. Most, if not all would do this. If you tell a person that you may-be healed or prosper, most will not do this.

So many on social media and of course, in real life; try to be inspirational; as in today's world whether via social media or the reality that is life, you can create an image to be whoever you want, but seldom your true self, for this would be unacceptable, to be proud of yourself without the recognition of another's pride in theirself.  They chalk life up to the simplicity of hard work and reward.  Yet, for some (just a handful), their reward never comes.  Yet, they have put in the hard work. They have stared death in the face but more importantly they have hit, head on, the sufferings of life.  As they stand face-to-face, eye-to-eye, and toe-to-toe with it (make no mistake, life itself lives and breathes, just as we do.)

 Most of the time when I speak of suffering I am speaking of imminent danger regarding poor health.  We as a species seem to only be able to support an uprising to help individuals with specific diseases; one or maybe two at a time. For instance Breast Cancer, or Wounded Warriors. When this happens we fall into place like children at an elementary school, ready for attendance.  The illusion of help and prosperity comes through and by another's disillusion of grandeur.

Now to be bold and frank. Those in position of power, in this time moreso than any other, are more irresponsible with this than a child with matches and firecrackers. Yet we hand this power over to them and then are surprised when they abuse it, just like we would be with a child.

I have lived my life in conviction, with immense financial resources.  I have suffered pain in all aspects that no man can relate to or understand.  It makes me vulnerable.  And in that vulnerability begets strength and love; even through anger.

I have often spoke that everything must have an opposite. Yet, with the emotion of anger there is no opposite.  Just that of not having it.  But as with science and faith, this emotion is viable none the less.

I have offered to and have helped so many people in my life, in so many ways, that I have spent more time and lost more money than most people make in ten lifetimes.  Through the eyes of oneself, we look at people in need with disdain and hatred. On the opposite end of the spectrum there are only a small few who do not know what it is to need or want.

People fall literally to their knees when in my presence as if I am gravity itself. I lift them up and I help. I pass no judgment on those who will judge themselves. I would be remiss if I did not state that even myself passes judgment. That I pass judgment on the wicked.  Today, I see more people that are unworthy of the blessings they have been given.

What lies within a person's heart. What is with held from another.  With all the clout and all the resources I have possessed in my life; my hardest battles are these: finding help, meaning medical help, the seriousness of all my illness, allowing a medical community to not only ignore and neglect, but through their insecurities that they will not acknowledge, vindictively use their power to attempt to snuff my life.

My other battle is to find anyone who would care about me in any way at all. Because of my strength, most people assume I have no feelings. That I have no heart. That I feel no pain and suffer no consequence.  As they throw the burden of their own sins that they have committed upon me directly onto both shoulders.

I do not have the strength to go into detail about my life any longer: so I will generalize through specificity about others. When we are feeling great and living large we assume most are doing the same.  When a person suffers so greatly, the difference becomes this: a person in great pain continuously wonders if another is feeling the same and is simply hiding it through immense strength.
What is my point? I will not explain or reiterate my prior posts. So I will start anew.  We never hold oneself in contempt, only others. We brag or pat ourselves on the back for what we do as a living. For this simple, yet, complex reason, that stems from one's youth.  To lift oneself up we must degrade another. We put on the cloak, the illusion, that we are so gifted; that our values and morality are so great, as we are deserving of our success.  As we use disillusion to plunge the dagger into another because somehow they are subject to flaws that others are not and do not hold the values, morality or work ethic that you must retain for worldly success.

It is amazing to me that those who I have offered to help, when they have begged for it when it is not needed, will then complain and turn down my help.  However, I have the great understanding of this: sometimes through the sufferings of life, and the imperfection of life itself, that through the surreality of life: help becomes unreal as this concept is unrecognizable to one's spirit. It is as if they have lost the ability to know the difference between night and day.  Kindly stating that they know no more of what the blessed understand with the indifference of dark and light. The combination of illusion and disillusion. Two words that are so strongly bonded together, their definition is almost the same.


I was going the share an anecdote from a recent experience with my own family; but the energy it would take to do so for those who are truly suffering can understand why I can not. When I first started in social media, I did not understand it.  In all honesty, I still do not. I have spent time on social media, or I'd like to say in the box of social media because in my illness I have had the lack of experiencing joy in and from the outside world.

In social media, I have developed great relationships, (most, brothers in arms) but will they go any further?

I started off being profound. But I have truly found that it is pointless to do so on social media. I have had many a people come to me for help, yet when I had to address my own health issues, the words that were left through email, messaging, tweets, were futile, hateful, disrespectful and of course I could go on with several profound words, but then I would be contradicting my own self.  Many of the people who asked for my help did not even need it.  The power to solve their own problems was within their own grasp. Many people I have offered help, immediate help, again because they passive-aggressively ask for it, will not even accept it or take their sweet time doing so.

Suffering is held in the old saying: to each their own.  It is subjective to a person's sensibilities.  This is appropriate for 99.9% of the world's population.  But for that small, minute percentage, their daily lives are so torture-some that the world they live in, not only has ended, but has never started.

When I was in medical school, one of my professors told me something that I live with today ( and this applies to all aspects of life, not just in the medical field) when you hear the sound of galloping, do not think of horses, think of zebras. When needing help, and when helping those in need, do not fall in the trap of creating illusion through disillusion. And hold no disillusion for the corruption that lies in illusion.

So in ending, when you look into another person's heart, remember: the feelings that you have are the same as yours.  Because all of our hearts are beating for the same reason, and to the same rhythm.

With all Sincerity, your friend,
~Joshua Jet Vaughan~


Post Script- Behold I sayeth: Friendship is not an offering, it is a gift that must not be with held but upheld ~Joshua Jet Vaughan 1:1

Perception/Conviction/ Responsibility/ Acceptance

Oh how I want to scream to the rafters about my current circumstance and health. Yet, I will not. First and foremost many people  can understand that when dealing with extreme pain there's only so much you can talk about as your energy is dealing with coping. So something had caught my attention early this morning.

A friend of mine, an IFBB pro bodybuilder, had a question asked of him. It was quite simple.  Who is your favorite and/or most influential bodybuilder.. The answer was and always is Lee Haney. The replies were unbelievable. I will not go into those. I'm using this as a point of reference, as I had read many different replies which are based upon personal opinion, I notice, yet again that opinions become futile and essentially infringe on the rights of other's opinions. Yet it all comes down to perspective.

I grew up in the age of the great Michael Jordan. You would be hard pressed to have me ever change my mind in the fact that I will always believe he is the greatest basketball player of all time. Yet, would Michael Jordan be thee Michael Jordan, without the greats before him. And I spell out the word thee instead of capitalizing the word "the" that simply makes my point of perception.

Back to bodybuilding. We recognize Arnold as being one of the greatest, allowing another man to come about such as Lee Haney to set a bar, a yardstick if you will, that has not yet been matched or surpassed. As I was an All American basketball player, one of my team mates, as I was a junior and he was a senior, just before practice one day, this friend had asked me a question. It was common knowledge in the area where I grew up that I knew everything there was about the game of basketball down to player's shoe size.

My friend asked me what I thought of Dominique Wilkins. Like a fool, I answered "he sucks" Which is far from the truth. I will explain momentarily why I say is instead of was. Before Michael Jordan had come into the league, Dominique had been league MVP, a several time all star, soon to be a two time slam dunk champion and at this time playing for the Atlanta Hawks, he was a three year running league leading scorer. Let's not forget, he was a professional basketball player.

Now here comes the great Michael Jordan. Michael had the charisma, the look, the skill, talent, hard work, the articulation in his playing and his speaking along with the style which adds up to one thing, the "it" factor. He played in a time of the greatest players, the greatest teams, at basketball's highest point with the hardest competition, where more legends came out of this era as they are still legends in this time, and he beat them all.

We as people often lie in silence steaming about what we wish we would have said.  As often in my youth, and still to this day I constantly think. When I went to bed after the night of the practice, I could not stop kicking myself.  Though I was only 16, my lack of conviction haunted me. I had to make this right. I went back the next day and had a conversation with my friend who not only asked me this question, but with ignorance, agreed with me. I do not remember exactly what I had said to him that evening, but I still remember my thoughts the night before. Here I, at 16 years old playing high school basketball.  And though I was great at the game my friend was not, though he thought otherwise as far as himself.  I have literally thought this:what a bunch of punk kids we are, a term often used by adults in my youth. Two high school athletes sitting on an ignorant position that Dominique Wilkins sucks. Without going into more detail the only proof I need that he did not suck (which is a stupid word unless it is being used as a verb, but in this case it's a noun) is the fact that he was a professional basketball player. And he is one of the greats. I don't care if you ride the pine,  if you're a pro in your chosen profession then that's all that needs to be said.

Now back to why I said is instead of was. Dominique (who is in his 50s) and of course Michael Jordan both could still dominate not only in the pro league, but of course college and high school, especially when in playing  condition. We do these types of things all the time. We give in, we follow, essentially we jump on the bandwagon. Our path in life should be to grow and attain wisdom, ultimately gaining perspective and wisdom; and to me the definition of wisdom is the clarity of the truth, not the perspective of your truth, not of truthfulness. But the truth that lies in the spirit that connects everything in this universe that stimulates the absolute of righteousness.  We stand on the sidelines and say we can do better. The adage if we have our health we have everything allows for this for it is the truth. And if you want to listen to someone who knows this who understands how health or rather the lack thereof can affect it then hear what I am saying as there is a difference between hearing and seeing. I see children today being a product of their generation more than any other time in history a judge. They are ignorant. Their jaded perspective consumes them.  I used to find children conforming to their elders; I now find elder conforming to their children. The youth in this country want a handout. They are sycophantic. They make the same ignorant comments that I made when I was 16, but on far more important issues, mine was a lack of conviction about something I knew as much as a person can know, their ignorance based upon the following of another person's point of view and that lack of perception is drowning further in the lack of conception. Ignorance stems from the word ignore meaning to ignore the way, the truth, the light. To not be ignorant is to educate oneself.  And in today's world this can come in a click of a button. Again in my youth, my personality comes from my own life experience,children today developed their personality from their favorite tv character as they mimic what looks and sounds cool in a movie and/or tv series. But I would be remiss if I did not say that some of this may be helpful in development. I patterned my game (b ball) after Michael Jordan, but in retrospect I was playing as he did before I knew of him.  When I listen to Micheal Jordan speak in his early 20's, there was an incredible difference between when he was a junior at North Carolina. Then going into his first year in the NBA. He credits his father with this. (An interesting fact, Michael was drafted first to the Portland Trailblazers. Portland passed their pick off to Chicago who had the third pick nabbing the great Michael Jordan. Also, Michael blew out his knee in the first year. Everyone said his career was over. But of course, it was not. Also, leaving North Carolina early, he promised his mother he would go back and get his degree which is in business. He did this in the summers. Hence perspective and conviction. )Then I look at Justin Bieber at the same age, just another punk trying to run the show. Hiding behind 7 feet 350lb bodyguards kicking people in the head, who happen to be his supporters.

 Is perception a choice?

Of course it is. And obviously, so is  conviction. My family, they are all insane. They are beyond wealthy. My immediate family, if taken their combined wealth exceeds multi-billions. They are selfish, ignorant, thoughtless, corrupt, greedy, full of hatred and I am nothing like them. But not all ignorance, and not all perspective is a bad thing.

 Most people know that I am part black. I have two anecdotes about honest ignorance.

When my father was in his prime he had many employees. Though I was the hardest working and the most underpaid, as my father made it clear that children are to serve. One of his employees who had worked for him for many years is a family friend.  To avoid confusion I will tell you his name which is Keith. His father's white and mother black. Keith had asked my father to hire his friend Marcus who was pitch black meaning that in the darkest night that you have ever experienced would seem like a beaming white light compared to Marcus. And one more interesting thing about Marcus, if you are old enough you will remember a tv series called Marcus Welby, MD. And Marcus' last name was Wilby.  Black and that name of course he had a sense of humor (plus he was the best hacky sacker I've ever seen in my life.) I had told Marcus and Keith a joke at the age of 12 after work one day. It was a joke that Eddie Murphy made famous. The joke goes why do black people have white palms and the bottom of their feet are white? Eddie then leaned up against the wall during his comedy act, hands pressed on the face of the wall, feet held firmly to the floor and said "This is how God spray painted them/us" Marcus laughed  hysterically, Keith did not. Marcus had a convertible; they were sitting in it when I told the joke. My neighbor friend, Jamie who was also 12, was standing next to me. By the look on his face, I was taken aback. Before I go on, let me explain something, I had never seen colors. I was oblivious to race. I'm sure this is with many people, but especially children. When I saw Lee Haney or Michael Jordan, I didn't say that is a great black basketball player or bodybuilder, I just saw great athletes and great people. It had nothing to do with me being black myself, as I am white toned, but in the sun I look like charcoal mocha. Now if this were a different subject it would be a perfect segue to the song Lady Marmalade. And with that being said a pet peeve of mine is when I hear someone saying I am a strong black woman. As opposed to just a strong woman. All these little statements bring about attention to race and to much attention to anything is never a good thing. Back to my story. By Jamie's look I realized who I was telling the joke to. I asked, "Should I have not said that?" Jamie had no reply as he was, and always will be a coward.  I thought about this during the evening and into the wee hours. At around 6:30 am the next morning, Keith who had about 8 years on me, to his credit and character actually apologized to me for his reaction. Obviously having proper perspective. Now travel ahead in time to my senior year in high school. One of my best friends was a girl named Shana who had a twin sister named Dana. Father black, mother white. Their younger brother, Damien, adored me as he was also an incredible basketball player. And though he adored Michael Jordan, he was several years behind me in age. But his heros were different. But still appreciated the yardstick, hence the level, of the game that Michael Jordan played. I had forgotten about this old Eddie Murphy joke, but I had seen his comedy act which was called Eddie Murphy:Raw. I had told Shana the joke on the way to class. It was as if Shana was trying to be offended. As I had to repeat who told the joke five times before she finally laughed. My honest ignorance.

Yet, my perspective on race had not changed. I have spoken about how I have played in AAU leagues with players like Chris Webber, Ioppo Montgomery, as well as playing along Dennis Rodman, even the great Michael Jordan, and then it happened. Well into my mid 20s I was in a circumstance where I was in a same room with a black man. Not knowing my race he said, "You don't like me cause I'm black" I replied, "No,  I don't like you because you're an asshole." And there it was. The hardhitting fact of racism. But my perspective on race has not changed. It was and is my understanding of prejudice that did. Now I am not here to teach you of common sense, there is a difference between racism and prejudice, look it up.

To stray a bit, have you ever known the definition of a word, but could not explain it with words? Of course you have. You just understand; so why does this apply to something.  Some things you just can't wrap your head around. But your heart, that's a different story. Somethings will just drive you insane because of their infinite possibility. Yogi Berra said I had deja vu all over again. I modified this: Joshua Jet Vaughan says, "Have you ever had deja vu about having deja vu"


What does this have to do with perspective? I suppose it's like this. How many times do you have to go over something before you have the right perspective, the right understanding? And if we have opinions that are futile about small issues like Lee Haney or Dominique Wilkins. if we perceive another's opinion to be incorrect on such small issues, well then do I have to ask the question why the world is the way it is? People say it's not how far we go in life, it's how we get there. They also make the statement that your journey in life and how you handle it is a direct reflection of the success that you obtain, actually I said that one. Why are the people who offend the most so easily offended/

So my question to you is, who the hell is they, and what do they know?

If you are a musician you should know what the word crescendo means. Along with modulate and legato. Simply put, to build, ascend, to peak, along with to change and lastly to string together respectively. That's what I do when I make statements. I am not here to tell you what to do, I am here to tell you what to think. Greatness is not held in a  bottle, but it can be contained in one. The question lies in this: how do you release greatness that is held captive in this bottle without breaking it and everything inside it? Do you perceive, or do you have perspective? Does your interpretation have to be interpreted?  And does your conviction have to be conveyed? And lastly, does your explanation have to be explained?  Your perspective lies within conviction.  But your conviction  can  be held captive by your lack of perspective.

My blogpost started simply. Building and building, with different subject matter which is actually the same. Now with all that jibberish that I have spoken, there is something I have had on my chest for quite some time, and this covers everything that I had brought up. Perspective, opinions, anger, judgment, ignorance, conviction, and everything else in between that is written in this post.

 Bill Cosby.

See the fact is is I don't always feel well enough to blog; when healthy, my blogposts, my tweets, my life will be different. I have an understanding and perspective of human nature and life that no other person has possessed.  I will not apologize for this for the fact that all of you don't have it, for  I have suffered to obtain and attain this gift. As we all have our own gifts, this is one of mine. So why am I talking about  Bill Cosby now? Well, in my post, people have had great success from their predecessor before the next great thing comes about. And unfortunately many people gain success by leeching off the degredation of others. So let's go into some detail. A woman who has came forward over 35 years later, that backstage at a comedy act that she told Bill that she had a headache and asked Bill if he had anything for it. Bill offers her some pills. She says, Bill what are these, you know I can't handle anything stronger than Tylenol, followed by her accepting and taking the pills. Now what in this, her statement, seems fishy to you? (First, making the statement that they are such good friends that somehow at some point a conversation about her tolerance of medication had come about. Unlikely, but let's still go with it. This now begs the question of why she would make that comment to Bill that is already known. Which means they had a close trusting relationship. After asking Bill what these pills are, she said she could not recall his reply. Which sums it up to this. Fuck it all, I'll take the pills anyway. Take all this information, that's a recollection that is incomplete, she is very clear on what happened before, and very clear on what she believes happened after; continues on with her life and as of now, as she claims the tragedy and the torment of it all, yet it takes 34 other women 35 years later before she has the conviction to stand up?  When in your life have you been wronged so badly  does it take that many people and that much time for you to essentially right a wrong in your own life? And one last note:memories fade and people who want to be victims are easily persuaded to be just that.) Many of the women say that they did not come forward because Bill was America's dad, hence the Cosby show. Let's not forget that this woman says that she believe she was raped because she does not remember. Okay let's go with this. Out of the 35+ women who have came about, as I will not say came forward, do you understand the conspiracy and probability, out of the multitude of people that would have to be involved in allowing and overlooking rape? Now if you believe that it is because Bill Cosby is too powerful, as so many have now made a career from this "outing" of Bill Cosby especially comedians, why would the possibility of gaining success from another man's fall not be more probable and more attainable when Bill Cosby was in his prime. And as far as Bill Cosby, I will end with Janice Dickinson. This is the self proclaimed first supermodel. And let's put this not gently. She is a big mouth, who brags about the number of celebrities she has slept with. But now she's a victim. Part of the 35+.   Whether some of this is true, none of it is, I can guarantee you that not all of it is. We must have perspective. We must have conviction. Get off the bandwagon. Rely not on your own understanding, but rely on the fact that your understanding should not be the understanding of another. This lies in arrogance . Be responsible enough to not pass judgment. Be humble enough to understand that judgment is not only a part of life, but is also a necessary evil. But when consumed with righteousness, biblically judgment is a necessity based on love and in love.

How to summarize? It's a safety net. Perception begets interpretation. Interpretation begets conviction. Conviction begets compassion. Compassion begets responsibility. And all of the above begets righteousness. So finally in ending: can we please stop hurting people and start helping them? We can't all be leaders. And we can't all be followers. But we could all lead and all follow and if we have the right conviction, who will be responsible enough to do so at the same time. And that my friends is just one of the many examples of how to bathe in the glory of love.

Your brother,
Joshua Jet Vaughan

Chance, Fate, Coincidence? Purpose?!

This post will be very short, or at least I will try to make it short. Quite some time ago in England there was a man who owned a pharmacy, but at this time they were not called pharmacies. The sign would usually state chemistry on the storefront window. The name of the building was Greenberryhill. In 1911 the pharmacist and owner, Sir Edmund William Godfrey was murdered.  And he was murdered in front of the store. Three men had commited this violent act who were eventually hanged on November 26th. Coincidentally, or maybe not, the last names of the three men were this, Green, Berry,and Hill. In my early 20's, I just happened to be in the city called Grand Rapids in the state of Michigan. I had walked into a guitar shop. It was quite large.  There was an abundance of people surrounding a drum kit. As you walk in, this would be to the right of the store. But I could not see who was drumming. To the left of the store is where the guitars and amps were, as I was looking to buy some equipment.  I grabbed a few pedals, an amp, and a Fender strat. As i was born with perfect pitch  it allows me to hear things that others can't. I noticed the drum beat. It was to the song by Aerosmith, Sweet Emotion. So I cranked up my amp and started jamming the song Sweet Emotion. As I'm playing, most of the time my eyes were closed. As sweat was dripping from my brow, I lifted my guitar up, as I was sitting on the amp, so I could use my forearm to wipe the sweat so I did not stop playing. At this time I did a double take as I noticed a flier. The flier stated Joey Kramer drum seminar. Most know Joey Kramer is the drummer for Aerosmith. I glanced over and people moved as if the seas parted by my staff that is called a guitar, Joey pointed at  me with his drumstick in a circle motion as if to continue on. We rattled off 5 Aerosmith songs. Ended with Last child. The owner of the guitar shop knew me, by the third song had set up a microphone and PA system and as of then, I was now singing the songs as well as playing. At the same time, hooking up a bass to an amp. The owner's name was James and he lived for Aerosmith. What a session. afterwards Joey came up to me and asked if I wanted to open for Aerosmith. Now, of course, he introduced himself and the words were, "Do you want to open for us tonight?" Of course my answer was yes. The problem was my band was not with me. They agreed to play back up for me. I got there about two hours early and there meaning Van Andel Arena, my set was about 45 minutes though Steven Tyler and Joe Perry were not part of the opening act. A standing ovation from 20,000+ people. As it would be normal for me to do an encore, Steven Tyler came out  and to my elation said, don't worry he'll be back later. I was welcomed back on stage, played several songs and to my dismay,  but again elation, Joe and Steven let me walk back on stage and let me end their set with Texas Flood by Stevie Ray Vaughan. However, they did come back for an encore and we all did the song last child. Coincidence? I will tell you this, the emotion was and is sweet.




~Joshua Jet Vaughan~

The Ultimate Blogpost- Human Responsibility/Connection

Coming Soon by me, JJV. The existential, consequential, ultimate blogpost about human responsibility through the connection we share through the spirit.

~Joshua Jet Vaughan~





Post Script: Here's some of my playlist. As I originally had thousands, I am currently redoing as they were lost through computer error. Hope you enjoy. Remember music is absolute (and enduring)

The Downfall of Music

Before I get into the downfall of music, which is the title of this post, I will once again explain something about my health: in all humility I state this, I was given gifts in music that outweigh the greatest of the greatest of all musicians who have lived. I have stated before that unless you have heard me live in remedial and lackluster health, you would not know this based upon my Youtube videos. I have stated while in remission at 34 I had recorded an album. A double disc with over 30 songs, which 28 of them were recorded in less than 48 hours. When I went out of remission, 2 were left. Some covers, mostly originals. I did not pick up the guitar until the age of 21. Every song that I recorded was done in one take. Absolutely no pitch correction and no overdubbing. I became ill again, still fighting for my life, waiting for those surgeries to save it; to save me.

If I believe it is for God's purpose, then I must believe that it is for something greater than even I could imagine, for myself and for others. The days I pick up the guitar, it's as if I've only  been playing for a month. I can sing no more. Other than a few million people, there is no one that knows my abilities. I became seriously ill a few months after picking up the guitar.

But there's hope. From 30 to 33 and a half I went through something similar as I'm going through now. But while in remission I was better than I ever had been. During this time, where I feel if I had been healed, or had my surgeries, none of the corruption or downfall of music would have ever happened for I have been given the responsibility of setting the example of what music is: truth and love, an absolute. I suffer and watch the idiocy of others. I watch the gimmicks. I watch Miley Cyrus and Kanye West degrade and disrespect the absolute that is music. People half naked at award shows. Too arrogant to apologize. Not being capable of finishing a sentence, but apparently responsible enough to run for president. The hypocrisy of it all, the hypocrisy of ourself. I have often stated there is a fine line between chauvinism and chivalry and there is even a finer line between arrogance and confidence.

I heard recently Mel B from the Spice Girls stating that the Spice Girls were not over night successes as previously believed. That they had spent a whole year forming their band, practicing before they had their hit song. Are you kidding? A whole year? It takes you 13 years just to get through your schooling. Several years to graduate college. I listen to people like Vin Diesel state "Everyone wants me to do an album." First, that's not true: I don't. And second, then do it. What's stopping you? What's stopping him is that technology does not have the pitch correction that would be needed for his tone deaf voice.  We have children representing us musically. We have politicians who act like children representing our opinions. Selfishly and incorrectly. This is not only weird, this is bordering on fantasy.  We must know our limitations so that we can succeed without expectation.

We have people in the celebrity world who name drop their best friends.  Who name drop their spouses. Who kiss ass and blow smoke up each other's asses. They're sycophantic. When is wearing a mop on your head, or a meat suit not only responsible, but mature and a representation of the global united love that is music? Why are people worshiping these children? Why is Taylor Swift such an angry vindictive child? That can only write about and throw under the bus another human being, through her perspective and opinion and her infinite wisdom, as she has not even reached the age of 30, all of her broken relationships, which begs the question, who gives a shit Taylor? It must be difficult going through such sufferings, making multimillions, living off of the gossip of your own life, and outing what should be personal of another human being's life.  Will she please grow up already? I wonder if she pays her exes royalties for her verbal abuse and defamation of character.

Kanye West is an imbecile. He is arrogant. He hurts people. He believes that his opinions are the only valid opinions worthwhile. His greatness is the fact that he learned how to sew to make millions and millions off from a clothing line, while millions of people are sewing his clothes for a dollar a week. We have Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert talking about having sex with other people, while married, and everyone wonders why they're divorced. We have Justin Bieber who has absolutely no talent and has put forth no hard work, and is the perfect example of irresponsibility and corruption, who is yelling at the camera man who provide him the forum (the world's forum) because he could not rack out a dance move.  People enveloped in this world. When the power couple today is that of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian.

 A person who has achieved nothing but that of what other people have given her through sex. We have people like P Diddy using a kettle bell to threaten someone's life and nothing comes out of it; when people are being arrested and imprisoned because they stole a candy bar because they are starving. We have Caitlyn Jenner, who makes millions for simply learning about herself through a tv show. The lies and the deceit. Caitlyn says 'I'm still learning and trying to accept myself and I'm 65, but everybody else do it now, or you're just hateful and bigoted.' And though this is off topic, no, transgender is not the same that gay and lesbian was 30 years ago.  She states while talking to her ex-wife Kris, that I did not leave you knowing that I was going to transition.  But started taking hormones two years before their divorce.

Where is Rock n Roll? Where did it go? It is with the people  who rock out every night, but can't even get a return phone call from a so called record company because they don't want to take their clothes off and make a sex tape. MTV music awards this year were disgusting. Have you noticed how they've changed from just 5 years ago? Why is Miley Cyrus hosting this and also the 2015 Rock n Roll hall of fame induction? Why does she think that having a song called Peace Motherfuckers is going to cause peace when you are calling people motherfuckers? Why is nobody stepping up and stopping this? I guarantee you this, the moment my health is restored, we are done with all this nonsense. I will set the example, not only for music, but for humanity as I am a man who speaks nothing but the truth and lives the truth and I will pour every penny I have, if that means billions into resurrecting music. It is our only hope. If you are a Christian, it is one of the first subjects that is mentioned in the bible as a form of love, respect, honor and celebration. Either people shout or shut down. Where's the conviction? Let me tell you something that I know for a fact, as the infinite wisdom of a 20 something Miley Cyrus says there is no Elvis Presleys out there. There is always somebody out there. I will admit this: a lot of musicians who are great with talent and hardwork for their craft still sit in their garage and hope somebody drives by and recognizes them or rather hears them and gives them recognition. Record companies have become impossible as they do not accept unsolicited material. What does this mean? You have to know somebody to know somebody. It's like you must have experience to get this job, but this job is the only way to have experience. There are a rare few people that have made it at a young age and are considered legends. Who have changed this world for the better. Aretha Franklin was 14.  But if American Idol existed when she was that age, do you think she would have said after 3 years of singing, this is my only chance? Because some would-be-has-been tells her she doesn't have it? Let's talk about Elvis Presley for a moment. Before Elvis ever became Elvis Presley he had sang in public close to 10,000 times. Stevie Ray Vaughan played just about the same. He was booed off the stage at a festival, and the next year headlined it. What I see is that nobody paid their dues, they are handed everything. Most have no talent or work ethic. They care more about their image and their gimnmick than about their music.

Beyonce is an enigma. I have heard her personally sing gospel in church and she was phenomenal Yet her mainstream music is horrible. Here's how a song works. You want an example? Check out anything by Kenny Loggins. Or any song from the 20s- the 80s. here is your formula, you must have a beginning, a middle and an end. You must have verses, a chorus, a bridge and a hook. You must have a melody. You must have great lyrics. If you are not talented enough to do this with your instruments, there are many who have done it vocally. It's called story telling. Johnny Cash is a great example of this. The greatest example of using just a few chords without the formula I have just spoken of is Don McLeon's American Pie. has everyone gone tone deaf? Is that why we accept this shit we call music? Why does everybody think they can sing now? It takes years to perfect yourself musically, let alone to be a band that lives in the pocket of tightness.

As Huey Lewis says, backbeat rhythm is the heart of rock n roll. It is a 2/4 4/4 beat. It is a 12-24bar blues. It is understanding 5/8 timing, legato, modulation. Legato meaning to string together.  If you don't know these things, you are not ready. And to give you an example of how talent can start you out, but the lack of hard work and education of your craft can leave you stranded, I will speak of Kenny Wayne Shephard.  Go on Youtube and check out any one of his guitar lessons. And 9 out of 10 times when he is describing a scale he is using he says I do not even know what this scale is called.  With 35 years of guitar playing under his belt, you would expect more. Music is life, life is music. To grow we must learn and educate.  And though we can not know everything about music, if the only scale that you can know and name is the pentatonic, burn your guitar now.  Obviously, I am not speaking of beginners, but he picked up the guitar at 5.  (And what kind of guitar lesson is that? I don't know shit, so listen! Hope you didn't learn shit either.)   I'm not saying you can't be in the mainstream without knowing them, I'm saying you better learn them. I can take my own music that was played in my sickness, on Youtube, and they do not have this. I can use myself as an example of what not to do with music. Try to get anyone else to say that about themselves. You give me my health, you put a guitar in my hand and a mic, you take every musician out there today and put them on a stage, as I was born with perfect pitch and have them play a song.  I will play their own song immediately after them, infinitely better. And if you don't believe you can do this, you will just be another Miley Cyrus.

The downfall of music is the laziness of the youth. And it is a shame to see the old greats singing alongside these imbeciles to become relevant again. Tony Bennett singing with Lady Gaga. Shame on Tony Bennett and shame on Lady Gaga for thinking she could even be in the same category as Tony.  Tom Jones. That powerful voice. Tony and Tom were horrible. And I believe it's because they had to sing with people who suck.  Here's my analogy. If I'm in a car race, let's say the Indy 500 and I lap everyone, there's always going to be one moron that I catch up to that I would literally have to knock him off the path because he will not let me pass by.  and he will ride behind me sucking the draft out of the bottom of my car to feel like he's in second place when he's actually in last. I'm going to be frank with you all. I am the best musician on this planet that has ever lived. I have not suffered to the point of torture for this many years to believe otherwise. And no one can tell me otherwise.

 If my album had released at 34, the world would be stating this as the old cliche The proof is in the pudding. But I will tell you this, I am that person, I am that man, I am that musician.. But if you have lived your life righteously, no matter what you do, you believe the same thing about yourself. Don't look for validation. Don't look for respect. The only respect we should be concerned about is self respect. And you can not step on a stage half naked, spouting profanity and have self respect. You can not ramble and rant and throw a mic to the ground that you did not pay for saying I'm running for president and walk off stage.

 I can't stand Kanye.  He is no man.  But when he started his speech, how I was rooting for him as it seemed as if he was trying so hard to apologize for the disrespect we have seen him show other musicians and other people. How can you be so arrogant to believe that someone else deserves an award and then make the statement I do not understand or approve of award shows. I have 7 Grammys. They are packed in a box sitting in my garage somewhere. Here's how important these awards are. I can not sell my awards.  They must be given back to the academy. I can not give them away.  And if I do so I can be prosecuted and they can take away my accreditation. So they can take their awards and shove them up their ass. When I sell a billion albums within the first year, I don't know if I will go to an award show. It's difficult. I don't consider the people who would buy my album fans, I consider them friends and supporters.  I would not want to disrespect or let them down. So if I perform an award show/shows in the next year or two, I would be an example of the people who represent me and the people I represent through my music. I have been to every award show there is, multiple times. They used to be fun. You notice how there's no great bands and no big name actors coming to the MTV awards anymore? There's no great hosts.   It's a bunch of kids playing house. And there's some record exec and Academy exec letting them do this. What these children don't understand is that they are puppets. People don't make music anymore, computers do. I am not an angry or violent man, but if Kanye West grabs the mic out of my hand, we will see if a microphone can truly fit down another person's throat.

Whoever saw the MTV music awards and enjoyed it is a lost soul. I felt embarrassed for everyone. There was no one there this year that had any talent at all. In fact, only 2% of it was music and that's being gracious. And why are these grown men and women not speaking up? And Kanye kept saying listen to the kids.  No Kanye, because kids don't know shit, and the fact that they cheer for you proves my point.  Give kids a driver's license, a cell phone, and a lollipop, a trunk full of money, a house in Malibu, and they will still complain that their life is too hard as they are having sex with multiple partners on a daily basis.  Take away their phone and their lollipop and they will throw a fit.  I suggest we give Kanye a diaper and a baby rattle so he can represent himself in his true nature.  You fucking whiner. Be a man.

\I was at the Rock n Roll hall of fame induction with my wife this year.  I was supposed to play Pride and Joy with Double Trouble. But I barely made it to the show and suffered through it, not just because of my illness, but because of Miley Cyrus.  How can you be at that show and let Miley talk about fucking people? Now I will let you in on some inside secrets. What you see musically, what you hear is very thought out, prepared and scripted. That means there are writers who thought up this debauchery. And someone says, I just want to be part of it and have no dignity.

Look, I'm not going to play music at the AVN porn awards to be recognized. And when I see these legends who have played more in front of live audiences in one year than these children have in a decade, kissing these kids asses, for instance Joan Jett, it's absurd. So I'm going to say this plainly, so pardon my language, in the movie and music industry, when you have no talent and you have not worked hard, this is what is said about how you got a career. Who's your father? You must be somebody's niece or nephew? and who did you fuck?   And that is the truth. It wasn't too long ago that bands were touring 300 days out of the year. Now it's 50.  So is it the artists fault, if that's what you'd like to call it, that have created the downfall of music? Or is it the execs who are running the show?  Well, here's the answer. If I own a restaurant and my cook that I hired spits into hamburgers and I know this, but keep them employed, who's at fault? If I'm a parent and my kid has gotten in 4 car wrecks in 1 year at the age of 16 I'm not letting them drive until they learn how to. And lastly, the downfall of music are the people who buy this shitty music.  When they listen to it on Youtube. When the song Baby by Justin Bieber and Ludacris has over a billion views, well, I think that's all I need to say about that.  It's called validation.

When Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift are tweeting, and let me mention in a vague nature because of a lack of conviction, about each other, and expect everyone to know who they are talking about when no names are given. And then get on an award show and basically insult each other? They're idiots. This is not about them and their stupid feud. They are forgetting that people are watching. This is worse than high school. So I ask you: What was the start of the downfall of music? Somehow, somewhere along the way, the world decided that an indiviuals notariety through infamy allowed them to be worthy of the resposibility that is music.  People are afraid to speak up. They are afraid to burn bridges.  But why be afraid when there is no bridge that has been built yet? And those who do have talent and have worked hard, they rest in their laurels. With the music the way it is today, the people who have success, who have talent, who have spent a lifetime paying their dues, still have a mission to complete.  It's called setting an example.

Sometimes I tweet to people who I know personally who are musicians that are quite famous, and I state my opinion and give my advice, and even what we call Superfans, will favorite my critique, not only of their music, but more so of their irresponsibility through their poor example and their lack of personality through being enabled, spoiled as they believe the world literally starts and stops with them. When I get healthy, I will speak through my music. But I will still never stop standing up for what is right. So I leave you with this. I will give you the relevance of music in this world.  When there is a bad representation through a song, an album, or a personal appearance, no one says no matter, it's okay, it's just music.  It's said in movies. It's said in many other forms of work. So I ask you, have you ever spoken these words? So if you value music and you are on social media: search through Twitter, search through Facebook, search Youtube.; Educate yourself and start liking and commenting on those musicians out there who have something to say with their music. The world is not a better place for valuing the people you know through fame. Take the time. There are people out there who deserve to be heard and they are right in front of your face.

Don't let these record execs be your puppeteer. And don't let these kids represent us.  Music is too important for that, and if we don't do something now we're going to be stuck listening to computers make tones like Stephen Spielberg's Close Encounters. I don't like Miley Cyrus and I don't like her music. Computers make music for her. And this may be harsh, but if a computer could shit, that is what I think of Miley Cyrus and her music. I hope that I have uplifted you. And if your head's up your ass, that's supposed to be funny. For all those that read this that don't know me, I usually don't speak like this. I have serious health problems like a brain tumor. They affect my mood, my speech, my articulation, but what they do not affect is the truth. And if you like Miley Cyrus, there's no hope for you and you should just end it now.  

And though this has a little bit to do with music, but a little not, enough with the giant butts. they're not healthy. Finally, Sia.  You want to represent music, but you put a mop on your head. You can not represent something that is derived from love. You can not be a representative of others if you live behind a gimmick and you can not be an example of yourself if you hide behind the mask of cowardice. If you are on the red carpet and you want anonymity by wearing a mop on your head, then don't go. She states that she wants her music to be the representation of herself, well then it can not be overshadowed by the idiocy of the clothing you wear.  And actors? Stop coming out with albums. You can't sing. You have no idea what it takes. It is not a part time job, it is a state of being. And this is a well known fact.  Musicians are accepted when they get into acting.  Tell me one time when an actor has been accepted when they get into music. And on this I will not answer this question, I will leave it to yourself to figure out why. So this is my rant, it is not articulate, as I am needing surgery badly, but focus on the truth, the truth in my statement and articulate it for yourself.  The world will be better for you doing so. God Bless

~Joshua Jet Vaughan~



Is her music a representation of our thoughts and feelings? This is a reflection of Miley's ignorant point of view.














This is a reflection and responsibility of the world's point of view.