Happy New Day

Welcome to 2016, the start of  a new year has arrived.
I want to wish everyone who is working hard to achieve their dreams much success. I hope you will achieve them sooner than later.
As for me, I'm wondering if I should stay here in the tri-state or make a move.
Is the New York scene for me at this moment in time? Am I the only one who can answer that.?

I have my family here, but this music dream is one that I'm chasing alone.
At one time, I found love here but lately all I feel is despair.
I suppose I will feel that as long as I'm sitting in a 9 to 5 chair.
I would have been better off there where I walked away from, but only because you were there.
It turns out you didn't care.
Pardon me for being honest, because after all, it's not just the start of a new year, but it's happy new year.
It's perhaps you wishing that it turns out to be a happy one or being presumptuous enough to say "happy" when one may be feeling anything but...

It's all a state of mind.
We control our happiness right? Everyone has set backs and we cannot allow them to overtake us.
Everything is temporary, so it will be never stay up and it will never stay down. My advice to myself is to take it all in stride. What are your goals for the new year?
I want to be in a self sustaining business and I'm in the words of India Arie, "ready for love"

Anyway, cheers to us making it to see another day and let's make a conscious effort to make every day the best day it can be.

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?