Ysabella Brave citations

"Forgiveness" (7 July 2007)
Contexte: Now do we have to forgive and forget? No! In fact sometimes it's important to remember, so that you can prevent something like that from happening again, or know that it's not ok with you, even with that person or anyone else.
But forgiving — why not? Do it so that you can be free. And I guarantee you, you will be free of this thing. And even if you don't tell this person you've forgiven them, because sometimes you can't, it's amazing what will happen in your life, what will happen with that person, what will happen with you and other people, if you have a forgiving spirit and let it go.

"A Word or Two" (20 February 2007) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGEsRXlMT0s
Contexte: Many people have said since the beginning — actually, all my life — "don't you suppose you were born in the wrong era — the wrong time?" Well, I don't think so at all! Because, don't you see, I can come into your home, in your office, and wherever you are, and sing to you these silly songs. And I'm just a simple lady, and I can show you how much I love you very much, and share these feelings with you. And I don't know that could have been done really this way at any other time. So I think that I was born at just the right time — wouldn't you say?

"This Just In!" (30 January 2007)
Contexte: Don't you think that it's amazing that I'm singing into this silly camera with the desk lamp, and it's going through all these wires and everything else, and these computers, and you still feel what I'm feeling, and you still get what I'm trying to do? Yeah. I think its amazing. And I think it's so nice in a period when we're very isolated people, and kind of emotionless people, I think it's great that we can still touch one another and we can still feel what we're feeling, and we can still have fun, and we can be sad, and we can be happy, and to know that someone cares about you — because I really do. I really do.
And I can't believe that I have over 10,000 subscribers. What is wrong with you people?

On trying out for "American Idol" in "This Just In!" (30 January 2007)
Contexte: I went, and I was rejected immediately — like that. First chance I got to sing, they said "you have a very excellent voice, it's amazing, blah, blah, blah — not what we're looking for." And that was it. And you know, thinking about it later: I don't think it's really for me — you know what I mean? That's all we're going to say about that. Let's move on.

"ysabellabravetalk #1" (9 March 2007) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1v2hkkm1Lo
Contexte: I've been told I sound like I'm out of an old movie; that perhaps I'm faking my voice, that it's nice, that it's not nice — all kinds of things. Well it's my voice. The only thing I can think of is sometimes you're in one mood or another mood, and so maybe it sounds a little different, but I've always spoken this way — and I'm trying to sound pleasant — I hope it does sound pleasant, but that's about it.

"Hecklers are Garbage" (20 September 2008) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nYlRFGL8UQ
Contexte: First I'd like to address the hecklers (cause I know you're out there!)... There are people who contribute, people who create, and people who destroy.... Nobody likes hecklers — nobody likes heckling — it's not interesting, it's not funny, it's certainly not appreciated, and it's of no use and no good. And it just hurts people. And I'm not sure if the intention is to hurt people, in which case you are evil — and if not, that's what you are doing, so it is not constructive, at all. The whole idea of 'I must be honest, so here is what I think' is complete baloney. If there is information you must transmit to another, you must do it empathically, or it is worthless....
Essentially, what I have for you heckler victims is this: If you do what you must, and you do what is right, you are bulletproof! Don't bother changing — don't listen to any of that garbage — because it's garbage!

"Self Esteem" (31 May 2007) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNBgCKvjrb4
Contexte: I've been asked by a lot of new YouTube people or other singers — all kinds of professions, frankly, as to whether I feel very successful and very loved now that I've got bup-up-up-up subscribers and however many nice comments and sweetness, and I really, really do! I was thinking going into this that the odds were against me — you're online, there's this anonymity, people are mean sometimes, and still considering all that, it's overwhelming the sweetness and the affection that I am getting — I'm every day impressed by this — every day! And there are a lot of horrible, horrible people on here, just like there is in the rest of the world. But remember, "don't be overcome with evil — overcome evil with good."

"Doing Good — for the right reasons!" (13 March 2008)
Contexte: So let God know what you're doing just by doing it — or feel good about yourself. But don't rely on men and women to inspire you to do good — because we will probably often fail you with our own imperfections! We all should be trying to improve ourselves, regardless of how much better off or worse off we are than the person next to us, because we can all get better.

"Self Esteem" (31 May 2007)
Contexte: If you're coming into this YouTube thing, do it because of what you can do for other people... Don't worry so much about yourself, and if you're doing ok, and if you love yourself — you do, trust me. Think of what you can do for other people... Not some kind of self review, not some kind of day or week or however long to make sure you feel good about yourself — but thinking about the other people all around you, all the time, who could always — always use a hand, one way or another, even if it's kindness. Think of that instead. And maybe you are starting to notice my quote on the page "Look without, and you will be fulfilled within — without a doubt." I really mean that — look without, without of yourself — not within.

"Pain & Suffering" (11 May 2007) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfjKx9AUp8k
Contexte: I believe in a God, who, whether we understand it now or ever will, does the thing for us, which is the best thing for us — out of Love — even if it’s painful. And I think that’s the truth. So, if you’re in a great pain, and if you’re suffering, remember that this is… in the middle… and that you’re on your way… some place…, and it’s beneficial to you… and even better than that, it might be beneficial to others… so, that what I have to say to that tonight… I know it’s… short… I hope it’s sweet, and… I’ll see you next time… so, good night.

"Hecklers are Garbage" (20 September 2008) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nYlRFGL8UQ
Contexte: First I'd like to address the hecklers (cause I know you're out there!)... There are people who contribute, people who create, and people who destroy.... Nobody likes hecklers — nobody likes heckling — it's not interesting, it's not funny, it's certainly not appreciated, and it's of no use and no good. And it just hurts people. And I'm not sure if the intention is to hurt people, in which case you are evil — and if not, that's what you are doing, so it is not constructive, at all. The whole idea of 'I must be honest, so here is what I think' is complete baloney. If there is information you must transmit to another, you must do it empathically, or it is worthless....
Essentially, what I have for you heckler victims is this: If you do what you must, and you do what is right, you are bulletproof! Don't bother changing — don't listen to any of that garbage — because it's garbage!

"Forgiveness" (7 July 2007) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVwUSubBH6k
Contexte: I am speaking of something that is no longer happening — that is not currently going on. If someone is abusing you, or doing something illegal, or even something you refuse to tolerate, and it's still continuing, that is not an issue of forgiveness, that is an issue of making sure that stops — even if you have to get away from that situation — that's very important.

"Forgiveness" (7 July 2007)
Contexte: If that is not the case, then we are talking about something that happened in the past, even if it was today, this morning, but it's over. You know, there are people dead and buried in their graves still affecting people, because no one ever forgave them for what they did — that's what not forgiving does — it lets an event live and live with bitterness and hurt, when it needs to be let go.

Trust — what's the secret?" (27 January 2008)
Contexte: 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.

"Doing Good — for the right reasons!" (13 March 2008)
Contexte: We should not, certainly, punish other people in general because of an apparent lack of gratitude on the part of some. It could be that people are so busy they seem ungrateful — or they actually are thankless! But this is OK — I'd rather be nice to someone spoiled than mean to someone who really could use a hand.

"A Note on Integrity" (17 July 2008) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blyC329I3F0
Contexte: No one can tell the mountain what it's missing, or that it's lacking, or that it's something that it's not.... You know, you can shout all night long at the stars to stop twinkling — but they won't!... And it's quite a compliment, really, that you can be what you are, and that you can do the right thing, regardless of how popular it is, or if you have anyone helping you — or if you don't get anything for it.... All those people out there, looking up at you, screaming "stop twinkling!" — they have no power, at all. And what else could you do, being a star?

"Women Stand Up (Mama, don't take no mess!)" (12 June 2007) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ckGiC-06EU
Contexte: 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.

Trust — what's the secret?" (27 January 2008)
Contexte: 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.

"Self Esteem" (31 May 2007)
Contexte: I didn't enter into this to get any kind of affirmation or confirmation. I entered into this to see what I could do for other people — to give them my sincerity, to give them my love and my care, to take a load off, to have a smile, to have a memory or two. Singing the blues has always been about alleviating the blues, and that's apparent when you listen to them. Sure is nice to hear that someone else is, or has been where you are, or have been. Because we forget sometimes, that we're all in this together, and we have many, many similar experiences — all the time, all across the world, in every age.

"This Just In!" (30 January 2007)
Contexte: Don't you think that it's amazing that I'm singing into this silly camera with the desk lamp, and it's going through all these wires and everything else, and these computers, and you still feel what I'm feeling, and you still get what I'm trying to do? Yeah. I think its amazing. And I think it's so nice in a period when we're very isolated people, and kind of emotionless people, I think it's great that we can still touch one another and we can still feel what we're feeling, and we can still have fun, and we can be sad, and we can be happy, and to know that someone cares about you — because I really do. I really do.
And I can't believe that I have over 10,000 subscribers. What is wrong with you people?

"Forgiveness" (7 July 2007)
Contexte: When you forgive someone, you're not justifying what they've done — you're not saying it was ok, you're letting it go, to stay in the past, where it happened, and moving away from it, so it doesn't sink its teeth into you, and follow you wherever you go. And of course, we don't know what events are going on in that person's life that perhaps led them to do what they were doing, or inspired them, or what kind of person they are sometimes. We never will know everything about what is going on with the whole situation - we only know what has happened to us. And the truth is - there's no point in hanging on to it.

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

"A Note on Integrity" (17 July 2008) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blyC329I3F0
Contexte: No one can tell the mountain what it's missing, or that it's lacking, or that it's something that it's not.... You know, you can shout all night long at the stars to stop twinkling — but they won't!... And it's quite a compliment, really, that you can be what you are, and that you can do the right thing, regardless of how popular it is, or if you have anyone helping you — or if you don't get anything for it.... All those people out there, looking up at you, screaming "stop twinkling!" — they have no power, at all. And what else could you do, being a star?

Has wounds but still lives (2010)
Contexte: So I wanted to say she's safe and sound. And for those of you who are still concerned, I saw her this morning for the last time — and her whole face here, which was ravaged and gone, seemingly, was not only healed — there was fur growing back on it. So, that is the end of the story of Has Wounds But Still Lives, and she's in earthly kitty heaven, which is having an owner that loves you to pieces and takes care of you. So — with that in mind, I wanted to thank everyone again. And so many wonderful things are happening all around me — and they don't need to happen to me. But to be given the grace to be a part of it, or to see it — especially to help — is the best thing I could ever have.

"Everyday Bravery" (25 March 2007) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_dppH8kaeo
Contexte: You know you're already brave. You don't get very far in life without having to be brave an awful lot. Because we all have our frightening moments and difficult trials and we don't have much of a choice but to get through 'em, and it takes a lot of bravery to do that. The most important thing about bravery is this — It's not about not being scared — it's about being scared and doing it anyway — that's bravery.

"Doing Good — for the right reasons!" (13 March 2008)
Contexte: My favorite thing on this topic is what God has to say about it — so I'm going to look up a Bible verse. So everyone who's "scared of the Bible" — now is the time to run away!... "Beware practicing you righteousness before men to be noticed by them. Otherwise, you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.... But when you give to the poor — do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you." I really like that! It's not karma so much, but justice, which is a little bit different, because there is a definite consciousness behind justice.

"Doing Good — for the right reasons!" (13 March 2008) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h628E1PMWY

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

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