Ysabella Brave: Want

“So if you are doing all you can, I want you to know I'm proud of you!”

Ysabella Brave

"I'm Proud of You!" (4 June, 2008) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v0lmI_9m9M
Context: So rare that we are told that we are doing just great, and good enough. So if you are doing all you can, I want you to know I'm proud of you! And I wanted to pass that along. And I hope you feel it, and that you know you're doing ok, 'cause you know. Despite what everyone else is saying, you'll know, and I hope you do!

“Be careful what you say if you wouldn't want it broadcast everywhere — because you never know.”

Ysabella Brave

Trust — what's the secret?" (27 January 2008)
Context: Be careful what you say if you wouldn't want it broadcast everywhere — because you never know. My basic advice would be — for trust — is: Live the way you ought to live — all the time — as much as you can help it.

“I want to share with you a couple of the kinds of letters I've been getting …”

Ysabella Brave

"Women Stand Up (Mama, don't take no mess!)" (12 June 2007) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ckGiC-06EU
Context: I want to share with you a couple of the kinds of letters I've been getting...
Dear Ysabella, My friend is hurting themselves. I'd like to know if I should tell someone about this, because I don't want my friend to be mad at me.
Ok, I don't care if your friend is mad at you — I don't want them to be dead! You need to spread the word — they've let you know — you need to talk to a family member you can trust of theirs, someone at school, someone at work — you need to talk to somebody that can get them some help. Because I'd rather they be mad at me and not want to be my friend — and alive — than anything else, ok?
... The second letter:
My boyfriend is hitting me... how can I break up with him without being mean?
... Now, when someone's looking for a doormat, they don't care whether it's mean or nice — they just want to know 'can they wipe their feet on it?'... The next time you see a little girl... imagine if she was in the situation you are in. What would want for her, really? If that breaks your heart, remember in that moment that you are as valuable, and as cherished, and as loved, and as important as any woman on this planet.... Stand up for yourself — don't be afraid to expect to be treated like a human being.

“I tried to be
what you wanted me to be
But you didn't want a girl you wanted
MACHINE …
I can't be part of this machine
I got too much heart to keep it in
I can't be part of your machine
I promise this is not the end”

Ysabella Brave

"Machine (new original song by Ysabella Brave" (3 November 2007) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc5qbh23MNY

Girl , Heart , Parting

“James — it's about your sister
I wonder if you missed her
I'm on my way to see you but I don't know what to bring
Almost gave up the ghost, now you have what she wants most
a little piece of heaven and a lovely song to sing.”

Ysabella Brave

"James (new original song!)" (5 July 2007) http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZQSHT2DcHoU

Love , Way , Sister , Singing

“And I wanted to say something before I go — I told you guys it's been a bad year — when you have these kind of moments when you are in despair, I just want to remind you that God does not take a break — he does not clock out, he doesn't get caught off-guard — there is nothing that goes on that he is not allowing. So everything is as it should be, no matter how wrong, or scary, or sad, or angry, or afraid, or any of it — everything is as it should be. And we need to remember that, and that we love Him and He loves us. Whatever we're feeling, we need to remember the truth.”

Ysabella Brave

Quote from video posted a day after both her YouTube channels were suspended (have been reinstated), two days after being laid off, and about a month after the cause of her worsening chronic pain was diagnosed as fibromyalgia (no cure or effective treatment). "Update 12/12/08" (12 December 2008) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHYdRwaLQN0&feature=related

Love , God , Truth , Sadness

“But it was amazing to see this man crying, and grateful to God for this, and to love this animal as if it was his child. Well, events took a turn for the bittersweet when he let me know last night that he's moving, out of town, even, and he's taking Has Wounds with him (and yes, he called her that.) And he wanted to thank me again. And my only reply was "what else could I have done, but more?" So — I should not ever see her again, I think — but had I not gotten the Grace to happen to come across this man, thanks to God, at my door, I would have assumed that she had died. So I'm very grateful that I got to see him, and we got to pray together and embrace each other, and know what really was going on, all this time we were afraid. Well, she was right next door for either one of us. And it was very funny too, that this man's name was Francisco, because it's very much a St. Francis story, with an animal, you know?”

Ysabella Brave

Has wounds but still lives (2010)

Love , God , Thinking , Time

“There's a reason that we don't go into people's homes and tell them how to live. We may not know their problem, and what it's like, so how can we know the solution? We don't say to someone who is hurting 'I know what's wrong, and it's nothing, so you shouldn't complain or be bitter.'…
And finally, for those who are angry at people who are sad from suffering, and racism, and stereotypes and prejudices — this is their pain. It is ok that they have pain, and that they are dealing with it the way they need to, and the way we need to. If you are thinking of yourself, it won't make much sense, because it doesn't have anything to do with you. Think of them instead. And if you really want to see someone smile, and not suffer, think of a way that you can bring them joy.”

Ysabella Brave

"Re: The NAACP is Insane!" (21 February 2008) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6FX8IMw-uM

Pain , People , Sadness , Smile

“Thank you for praying for me, and wishing me well, and all the support, because I need it a lot. And inside me there is a warrior, but right now, I am a 'Golden Girl'… But I wanted to let you guys know that I have not died, and I am here, and I am going to fight with all I have got to stay — and to help. And I have never been in this bad a condition, but I am determined.”

Ysabella Brave

"My Nightgown is Blue and I am too!" (20 March 2009) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXmSYfJctfw

Guy , Girl , Support , Help

“I've missed you too! A lot of people have been wondering where I have been, and it's not very exciting news, and it's not very good news, it's just that I've been very ill. I've been very sick for a while and still trying to get better, slowly but surely…. Anyway, I was so overwhelmed —
Overwhelmed,
by all the
nice things you
folks said to me!
It was so nice to read everything that everyone was saying, and very, very sweet. I appreciate all the — oh, it made me cry, and — and it was just so nice, and I wanted to say a big 'Thank you!' to everyone for being so supportive and so nice to me…. I will be back in full swing, as much as I can, when I can, and in the mean time, I miss you all very, very much.”

Ysabella Brave

"Quick Update from Ysabella Brave" (6 May, 2008) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCVdO__jDgw

People , Support , Time , Reading

“I suppose I want to leave a word with you tonight, that seems to have been applicable and important to everyone lately. And that is — remember Mercy, Love and Forgiveness, because this seems to be lacking, and causing and creating a lot of problems for people because it is so lacking. So remember that, first and foremost. And if you're already doing a good job at that, you think — good for you! Step it up a bit! That's your challenge. As for me, I must work on these things always too!”

Ysabella Brave

"Bit of Rambling in July" (July 13, 2010) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15oNaXvjXg4

Love , People , Forgiveness , Problem