I have often stated that there are only two absolutes in this world, that is math and music. Though my confusion with God about my own personal life affects me greatly, it still does not blind me of what God is about. Every great idea that a man has had was placed on his heart by God. Though, as that is the case with me as well, we still have to work. As many people are lacking in faith because of how we feel that we are, we don't understand that we are living it everyday without seeing, without feeling.
We push so hard to reach our dreams and goals, and we simply have faith that they will happen. We get knocked down and we get back up. I think of the bible and I correlate it with a movie trailer. As we go through verses, that we specifically use for our own benefit. A movie trailer that gets us excited as we long to watch this new upcoming film. Yet so much can be missed as the movie trailer is manipulated for each and everyone of us, specifically to draw our attention. Yet the message will get lost if we do not take the time to watch the movie and understand. Which is the same result if we do not read the connecting stories and pages of the bible.
God gives us what we need in our hearts to succeed. People get in the way of that. We get in the way of that. It is clear that God uses what He has created; for God got down on His knees, used His hands to help plant the Garden of Eden. As He would walk through the Garden in the evening as He enjoyed and loved feeling the breeze flow across His face. Mathematics is the key to the universe. It is one of God's languages, as He is fluent in all of them, because He created them.
Music is the other. My opinion of music today is that it is horrible. A repetitious beat, with repetitious lyrics. There are no chord changes, phrasings, beginning, middle, end. There are no modulations, no legato. There are no hooks or bridges. No chorus. But more importantly no heart, and no soul. For it has been overpowered as an avenue to become famous. But if you are not a musician, and I do not subscribe to the word artist, if you do not live through your music, and do not allow others to do so as well; fame will be overshadowed by infamy, and that is not something that you want for yourself. Personally, it's like listening to a reggae song, they all sound the same. Obviously, not all reggae, but it's the example that I'm using as of this time and I have a great sense of humor... so laugh! And apparently I am very bossy. Though there are musicians out there that understand what music is; it is a passion, it is a being, it lives and it breathes. But these musicians are overlooked for the quick buck and the sad story and promiscuous outfits. The gimmick, the image is what's important in the world of music today.
Music is truly healing. As the world becomes worse, we don't correlate for some reason that our music has gotten worse. People who just throw a song out there to be heard, so that someone else can give them an opportunity, when they should be taking the power back. For instance, with my first record deal, I was the commodity. I didn't work for them, they worked for me. I understood this, as I had turned down several record deals, as I knew something was missing within myself. Simply I did not feel ready. Unfortunately, I became ill again, but, that is when I had realized what was missing. My self worth. I worked out my own deal. I reserved, as I pushed to own my masters. Yet, few have heard me. Again, unless you have heard me play live, exactly what I can do through my music. I know who I am. How I wait and long for my album to be released so I can be heard and will not have to explain anymore. But also I long because it will give me the opportunity to give others opportunities.
I have had many ideas for many years. Striving, pushing. In the music industry you can not send in unsolicited material. It is ridiculous. I have spent my time creating an opportunity to others to submit their music. I don't need a professionally done, produced cd. I can hear it in a simple tape recording. My health has affected the progress of this, is bothersome to the fact that I can not show my own gifts and talents, but that I can not help others to do the same. Music has become a factory of computers, and it has been lost within the major record labels.
So getting to my point. To the absolute that music is; a gift given to us by God is over looked by the title rockstar. Celebrity. For the angels sang and danced, giving glory, praising the Lord for there was a secret chord that David played that pleased the Lord. (on a sidenote: I have studied the bible long and hard as well as music. And in my heart, in my spirit, I have found this chord. It is literal and metaphorical. When you find it, you are ready. Yet I will not tell you the answer. For the gift will not be appreciated if it is handed to you. For the joy of Christmas morning eventually becomes lost.) Music always is and always was. It was intended to bring passion and joy, and of course love. It was a way to share a part of our soul in a few small minutes. Being able to say more and help more than we could ever do through words alone. It is a form of an action. Since celebrity, music and movies have taken over the world. Well, there's nothing you can do about that. But what we can do is change it, to the way God intended it to be. And the way we all want it.
We crave our fame so that we can finally be free to truly be ourselves, yet it never works out that way. We must hold steadfast, believe in ourselves and hope this. Athletics, music, two of my many joys in this world. At the same time is so frustrating as I can barely sing a note any longer. All of these wonderful avenues of media/social media have opened up the world for us. And we have yet to understand that we are the ones that have the power. We determine what we say, how we act. In today's world there's no need to be sycophantic. To admire title. We have a means. We have a way to build a business that we never have had before. A way to make people laugh. To share our beautiful hearts, our wonderful ideas. Our voice. Through these avenues we have the ability to be better than we ever have. Without having to rely on the man, or the powers that be to determine if we are successful or not.
Though that is subject as we determine our own success. I love music. It is the truest form, the purest way to share your heart with someone else. For the musicians and the movie makers, I hope you understand that the hearts you are touching, the souls you are healing, the inspiration you are creating is what all of this is about. Do not look down upon others. There's enough room at the top for everyone. The person on the top right now needs to remember that there is someone on their way up that mountain. You can either extend a hand to help them or you can turn your back reveling in your own glory. Eventually that person will make it to the top. And as you had no room for them, they will have no room for you, and that is a viciously dangerous cycle. Music is a revelation, it is a prophecy. It is the only thing available today that we all can join together in and enjoy. I love movies as well, but they only can be watched so many times. Yet billions of people a day will listen to the exact same song every day for decades. A power like that could have only been created by God. So embrace it. But no matter what you do, what your passions are, how all you think, your job where your life is, yet isn't. There is a purpose. There is always a purpose. And if you use your voice with conviction and love, the world will hear you. Sometimes as musicians, we get tired with playing the same old tune. The same verses. Remember though, someone is hearing this for the first time. And no matter who your inspiration is musically, that one note, that one verse, could inspire the ten year old boy or girl to be the next Stevie Ray Vaughan, and of course I must add the next Joshua Jet Vaughan. damn you laugh!
As I would like to go in more detail into other things, I am beginning to trail off as I am hungry and tired. I simply wanted to share with you some of my joys. I try not to speak when I am having a hard time doing so, most that I say I don't think, it just comes out. When I find myself struggling and having to think, it is time to stop. Another reason why I love music so much because the same applies when creating a song. But every day that someone helps us, it allows us to feel, how I miss laughing so much, but occasionally I will see, hear something that lifts me up. We touch people in so many ways, but unless it is seen or heard by the masses, we overlook it. What we are failing to realize is that it might take time, because it always does, but eventually you will be heard.
It's been 2000 years since the bible has been written. Yet, we're still reading it. I have patience and grace. Embrace your joys. It has been 20 years since I had picked up the guitar. But through my illness, mainly through touring, would really add up to about five that I have actually played. But I have learned so much more, by taking the time, or rather being forced to take the time, to look back in retrospect. This is what we must do. We must do it for ourselves and for others. but again, this is another wonderful thing about music, as I listen to a song, it takes me back to the time when I first heard it, or the experience that I was having during that time. And that is the only thing on this planet that can do that. Whether you believe or not, that is divine.
~Joshua Jet Vaughan~
Just before I turned 35 I had recorded my version of the song Hallelujah. Though I am very humble, at that time I had an understanding and security about myself; a confidence, a conviction. So, as I usually talk about my sickness and try to bring attention to what is right in this world and what we need to do, for one time I would like to say something about myself in a positive manner. After three and a half years of not singing or playing, I finally started to do so again as I went in remission. When I had heard myself back on a recording, though I already knew, I had realized I had the most powerful voice that has ever existed. I had the most natural rasp. I never missed a note. And though what you will hear of me before my album, what you will hear of me on Youtube, is a horrible example of this, my album will show it. I had taken my guitar to an entire new level that has never been heard. No one has heard a voice like mine. Guitar playing like mine. The way that I create music. Yet, I have used the influences and inspirations of others as I layed in my sickness thinking about what I wanted to sound like, what I wanted to convey through my music. It's as if God had restored what I had lost, but 10,000 times better. So with a bass, drums, piano, and me on guitar and lead vocals, as my wife would accompany me, the version of the song Hallelujah will be the most powerful version that will ever exist. As with many of the songs that will be on my album. I would have wanted my album to come out first, and then said nothing; I feel the need to say this because it is partially therapeutic for myself. As I had stated in another post, the last time I tried to sing and play I was in a coma for a week as my body collapsed. So please do not think that I am bragging or arrogant. Just let me have this one thing. If you believe that what I am telling you is true, I promise not to say it again. If today you are in a serious mood, I want you to remember, that I am laughing right now. Not like a bumbling fool, but just a little snicker. With everyone else, as they are serving their purpose, travelling the path as they are walking their journey, just as I had realized, that I had a long way to go, any years ago that also allowed me to understand how far I had come. You must believe in yourself. You must understand that what you are lacking in, so that you can achieve what you are working so hard for. Though we may not understand the specifics of what we are lacking in, we know something is missing. I believe for each and every one of you that this day will come to pass. The person that refines themselves, their work, never resting in their laurels or bathing in arrogance, that you believe that you are great and beautiful. And whether you are a mechanic, a comedian, etc, you will reach that goal. And if you do so the right way, and God forbid any sickness comes about you pushing you off that path. Embrace your confidence and conviction. But stomp out any arrogance. If you do this, you will succeed. No matter what your path is, it is yours to share with others. I must believe our purpose in this world, is one in the same. If you understand this, then it is your time to walk tall. If you don't, your time will come. Believe in yourself as I believe in you. God Bless, I love you all.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments are needed, wanted and appreciated.