These Are My Thoughts

'Thoughts' is the title of a song I wrote and released in April 2011 and the inspiration for the title of this blog.

Take a listen and enjoy.

https://rachelburrell.bandcamp.com/track/thoughtshttps://rachelburrell.bandcamp.com/track/thoughts

Only The Deceitful Get Riches

How is that for an attention grabbing headline?

I write that headline with a bit of sarcasm and yet there seems to be some truth to it!
Now, before we proceed, here is the definition of "riches" as defined in the dictionary, " having wealth or great possessions; abundantly supplied with resources, means, or funds;
wealthy" 
"large amounts of money and possessions"

In other words, rich is defined as having a large possession of material things. Now, there is nothing wrong with that at all, but what about how those things are achieved?
I'm very observant in work/office settings. I like to pay attention to how the hierarchy does things.
For instance, if I have a boss who has tons of money, but doesn't respect his employees or cares to stand by what his/her company says it does, then that person is poor to me.
That person however gets admiration from society because on the outside they are definition of what success looks like.
Tupac has a song titled, Changes, and there is a line where a man says,  I made a G today"
and Tupac responds, "But you made it in a sleazy way"

I want a comfortable life. I don't want to worry about rent or bills being paid. Who doesn't want that right? Money makes the world go 'round' and hell, it's how we're able to eat, BUT...
I want to achieve the things that I achieve from my knowledge and hard work and a helping hand here or there doesn't hurt, but my spirit must be at ease with all that I do.
I've walked away from more money and made less money because of the need to "sleep in  peace when day is done" (Nina Simone)
I've wondered why I am this way? Am I alone?


It would be very remiss of me to not mention that I believe "rich" first starts with a kind and giving heart.
The beautiful balance is then being able to have nice possessions but knowing you made it an upstanding way.
I will end this with lyrics to one of my songs, "I'm rich in spirit, ooh you're watching price tags"

Holidays

Well, I'm certainly thankful to be here. It's a blessing to see this time again, this year.
I have to say I'm a bit happy and I'm a bit sad.
I'm happy because I know that being alive means there's hope and possibilities for better things to come.
I'm sad because the family is all in different places this year.
I am happy that I get to spend it with mom as always though.
I'm sad because one of the people who I want to reach out to the most doesn't seem to share the same sentiment.
I'm happy because I know that time heals.
I'm happy because I know blessings are coming.
I'm happy because..

The Only Thing That Is Constant Is Change

"The Only Thing That Is Constant Is Change"

It's why we have to allow ourselves to never get too high or too low.

Just ask yourself where were you these times last year, spiritually, mentally, and physically? 

Are you happy with where you are? Why or why not? Is it in your power to change it?

We can do anything we set our mind to right?

The last few months, I have been really reflecting on this! Not so much because I want to, but because sleepless nights leads to endless thoughts. Lately, I've been thinking about all of the changes that have taken place in my life over the past few months. Some of these changes are due to my own actions and some to the laws of the universe.

I have been confronted with more "what ifs" than I care to admit!'

I am in a place of uncertainty and that is both scary and exciting.

I am the cautious one who leaped without a net.

I am still flying, in no particular direction but thank God, I haven't crashed.

Life lessons, pay attention to them and when tempted to get too high or low, remember, "change is the only constant"

I dare you to tell me the truth! Okay, maybe just maybe that was lie.
The idea of the truth seems scarce. Perhaps, it's easier to act like someone we are not. 
Perhaps, it's easier to say something isn't so when it is. The truth puts one in a position where he/she has to feel and maybe it's better to be numb. The truth puts someone in a position where he/she may have to question everything he/she has been taught to believe and well, that's scary! 
Think about it though, where would we be if we didn't question things?

There was a time when the earth was considered to be flat. We now know that the earth is round. 
There are people who see Christopher Columbus as a hero and others who know that he is no such thing. So, perhaps, truth is all relative or is it?
Truth is defined as, "a verified or indisputable fact, proposition, principle"...

The real reason I'm writing this post is because maybe we are all liars. Every time I force a smile and say,  'I'm fine' when you ask how I am and I'm feeling like shit, well I'm lying. 
It turns out that sometimes I am quite fine but when I'm not, will I really let you know? 
I will let you know if I think you truly care.

Well I want you to know, if I ask you, how are you? I don't want you to say fine, if it isn't so.
The truth has power and we all should tell it a little more. The truth gives someone an opportunity to react based on that knowledge. When you lie to a person, they are responding based on the lie and so everything is a lie . So, let's live our truth. Your truth. My truth. Everyday. More.

Rash Decisions

A rash decision is one that is made without thought or 'consideration of consequences'

It is likely that we've all made a rash decision or two through out our life.

Why is that? Is it lack of self control? Is it lack of knowledge? Ignorance, that makes us do such a thing?

Is it the belief that the grass is greener on the other side anyway? ...Perhaps, it's ego even.

All I know is I don't ever want to make another rash decision.

What I have learned is that there is always a consequence when it comes to a rash decision.

You very much might put yourself in a position where you are in constant regret because of that decision.

On the other hand, you may learn that making a rash decision forces you to look internally and learn yourself, thus becoming more careful when making decisions, because most deserve to be thought out.

If you truly care for something or someone, can a rash decision even be made in regards to that something or someone?

In other words, it's when I'm fed up and want change that I've made abrupt decisions.

What are you experiences when it comes to making rash decisions? Were any of them life altering?

Old Brooklyn Versus New Brooklyn

This song explains what it feels like to be in Brooklyn then and now! http://youtu.be/Rgg4lUO8Gzg

Sleepless Nights and Depression!

Simple

Maybe I feel too much or maybe I feel too much for the wrong people and things.

I care too much.

I couldn't care less would be incorrect.

I care too much.

Always ready to go above and beyond 

Ignoring the fact that many see kindness as weakness 

See being nice as being foolish 

Because maybe it's not just nice guys that finish last 

So much for the last laugh but this is not a laughing matter 

I won't laugh at what you tell me matters

I want to understand it 

I will take the time to understand you.

If you promise you will do the same for me too

I've been so misunderstood, it's why I try to be understanding 

I have too much heart to be heartless.

I've suffered to much to want to inflict suffering.

I'm still recovering. 

The demons keep hovering.

It's been so difficult that I crave simple

I crave simple.

I just want to live.

I want to live before I die.

Simple.

The Thing About Love

The thing about love is, you never know who you will fall for or when ..

Sometimes it's someone you've known for quite sometime and then it hit you seemingly out of the blue.

Other times, it's someone who you recognize almost immediately and you just know something special will bloom.

What I do know is the person often times isn't the drawn up ideal you had in your head. Love is almost irrational at times, but it's the greatest feeling in the world. 

Rachel Burrell- The Storyteller

What happened between us stays between us

So, this blog post is inspired by two celebrities who dated and broke up and are now both dogging each other all over social media.
She said this and he said that and then everyone chimes in, including me but not in a way where I'm giving either of them props.

Now, my thought is if a relationships ends between you and I, then all intimate details stay between us.
The only time I believe one should be discussing a past relationship is if the person was abusive in some form.
However, discussing sexual positions and personal details that the person you were once with shared with you confidentially is pathetic.
It gets worse, suddenly because the relationship ended, you're bashing the persons looks, but they were attractive enough for you then? Silly!
I don't subscribe to it and it is unlikely that you will hear an ex of mine saying I aired out their dirty laundry.

I've always had the thought that if someone is going to discuss personal details they once shared with someone they cared about, then I don't trust them. I take that as a warning sign to go in the other direction.
You see, I've lived and I've learned this.
If someone bad mouths their ex to you, shut it down and go in other direction.
Generally, if someone asks, what happens between an ex and I, my response is, it didn't work or we both messed up.

Class is something money can't buy. Class is something that is instilled in us from an early age and while no one is perfect, I always hear my mom in my ear saying, take the high road.

My Thoughts on "cutting people off"

There are a variety of reasons why we decide to "cut someone off"

My guess is we have all been in situations where we decided it was best to walk away from certain people.
Perhaps, after being around them a few times, you realize your ideals and theirs simply don't match.
You realize that you are an optimist and they are a pessimist.
You realize that they are okay with going after someone in a relationship and you're not.
You realize you believe in God and and they don't.
You get my drift, of course, the list goes on and on.

I believe it is one's prerogative to decide that it's best not have someone in his/her life for whatever reason.
I do believe if you have been around a person for an extended time and things begin to fall apart, for whatever reason, one should give it some thought before walking away.

So, you're saying Rachel, I did give it plenty of thought and probably should have walked away a long time ago.
Hey, you're the one calling the shots or should be the one calling the shots when it comes to your life.

Here's where we may disagree, I think it is important to someone know why you are walking away. The person may have no idea what is going and is left confused and in the dark otherwise.
By letting the person know, you are putting he/she in a position where he/she can analyze the situation and get some closure.
Besides, I think it will help you feel better that you're able to get it off your chest and say what is on your mind.
I am firm believer in talking a situation out. Sure, it may not always be right away because hey I'm human, but I will generally come back around and try to talk it out.

So, my thought is let the person know why you are walking away and then go ahead and start cutting.

Isolation

I can tell you it is entirely real and possible that you can be surrounded by people regularly and still feel isolated. There are various reasons why people feel that way, one being you feel you simply have nothing in common with the people you're around!

Other times, people can make you feel isolated because they feel you have nothing in common with them.
I'd like to share with you my experience with isolation.

I've always been the one who simply didn't fit in.
I was always the one who was too something ; too tall, too skinny, too dark.
I was 'the teachers pet' in Ms Volpe's 7th grade class according to some fellow classmates and was made to feel islolated then.
I developed a mindset very early on that I'm all I have. It seems very few understood or wanted to understand me.

I've carried this feeling of isolation into my adult life in some ways.
It is important to look for the signs, as isolation can lead to depression amongst other things, again from my experience.
You may notice that a person is mostly alone, seldomly interacting with people.
You may think they are just shy or a "weirdo" but it can be more than that.

One thing that I've learned is the importance of being an ear for people when they reach out.
A person in isolation seldom reaches out, so when they do, be there for them.
I want to let you in, share my stories with you. This will be the first of my blog posts.

In my next blog post, I will address how my writing and singing saved me and is what I credit for lifting me out of a dark and dangerous path that my mind was taking me on.

Stay tuned...