There Is Something Good

We live in such a crazy time. 

So many people are coming forward with different beliefs, religions, lifestyles, and cultures. 

It's a beautiful thing to watch people grow to love and understand themselves.....

How lucky are we to live during a time where we can witness such beauty. 

Unfortunately, there is a presence of ugliness as well. 

I guess that's how it works though right? 

I mean how often have we looked at another person and said, "wow, she's gorgeous. I hate her." 

It sounds harsh doesn't it...?

And maybe I'm the only one guilty of saying this..

And if I am... 

FORGIVE ME. 

I'm working on it. 

But isn't it interesting that our minds have been trained to react that way? 

To immediately get defensive as soon as anyone is different than us or in some way makes us question ourselves? 

Wouldn't it be better to take a step back and evaluate who we are and what we stand for?

 

I hope we can eventually become safe places for each other. 

I hope we can come to love and accept people for who they are, not who they affiliate with. 

There is so much darkness in the world, but I just have to believe that there is more good than bad out there. 

Even if that means I'm counting flower petals or picking the marshmallows out of lucky charms. 

THERE IS SOMETHING GOOD.

Light follows darkness.

Love overpowers hate. 

We are the tomorrow. 

Rise with the sun, my babes. 

Xoxoxo 💕💕💕

You Are Special

Today I just wanted to share one of my favorite books with you. It's called You Are Special by Max Lucado.




In this story, there is a town of little wooden people. Everyday the people give dots or stars to one another based on talents, looks, etc.




Punchinello tries so hard to receive stars, but all he gets are dots. Soon he has so many dots he didn't
even want to go outside.

One day he meets a girl named Lucia. Lucia didn't have any dots or stars. It's not because she wasn't given any, because people would try to give her stickers. The fact was, they just didn't stick.

Lucia advised Punchinello to go visit their maker Eli who lived on the hill. When Punchinello asked Eli why the stickers didn't stay on Lucia he replied, "Because she has decided that what I think is more important than what they think. The stickers only stick if you let them. The stickers only stick if they matter to you. The more you trust my love, the less you care about their stickers."

After talking a little more, Punchinello starts walking towards the door. As he is leaving Eli says, "Remember, You are special because I made you. And I don't make mistakes."

I think sometimes we just need a reminder that we are important and perfect the way we are.


xoxo

  - Bri

Roadtrip Playlist

Summer vacation is coming towards us at over 80 mph. And what always accompanies summer vacation? Roadtrips.

Now, we all know you can't have a good roadtrip without an amazing playlist. So I thought I'd share some of my favorite "on the road" songs with you!

1. Nothing but a Heartbeat // Say Lou Lou

2. Higher // Amber Lynn  ............... (because we all need that inspirational "pick me up" roadtrip song)

3. Face the Fire // Michelle Chamuel

4. All of You // Betty Who

5. Listen to the Man // George Ezra

6. Pretend // Tinashe ft. A$AP Rocky

7. Say My Name // ODESZA

8. Oath // Cher Lloyd ft. Becky G  ............. (perfect if you're cruising with your girls)

9. Storm Warning // Hunter Hayes

10. I Wanna Get Better // Bleachers

11. Lost in the Light // Bahamas

12. Fall // The Vamps

13. Lullabies // Yuna

14. Jealousy // Tove Lo

15. Wild Heart // The Vamps

16. Shine My Way // Sheppard

17. Waiting on the Day // John Mayer

18. One Day // Matisyahu

19. Drowning In You // Pascaål

20. Love Like This // Kodaline

21. Upside Down // Jack Johnson

22. Why Georgia // John Mayer

23. Alcoholic // Common Kings

24. Better Together // Jack Johnson

25. All The Time // Bahamas

26. Mr. Almost // Meghan Trainor

27. I Want Crazy // Hunter Hayes

28. No One // Aly & AJ  ..................... (throwbacks never hurt okay)

29. The Climb // Miley Cyrus  ............. (It's a great song, admit it)

30. Stolen Dance // Milky Chance

31. Lemonade // Jeremy Passion

32. Don't Wait // Mapei

33. Real // Years & Years

34. From Eden // Hozier

35. Velvet // The Blue Aces

36. America // XYLO

37. Habits (Tove Lo Cover) // Vintage Gypsy Jazz ft. Haley Reinhart ...... (discover obsession)

38. Say // John Mayer  ...........  (the ULTIMATE travel song)




Okay. I'm forcing myself to stop.... can't give away all my treasures at once.

Enjoy kiddos!!



xoxo

  -Bri
     

Hipster

This is the official music video to my first single "Hipster"!

Buy the song here! https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hipster-single/id804287810

A Huge thank you to Rich Parkinson (producer), Joshua Hall/H&H Creative (videographer), Anjanette Mickleson (vocal coach), Becca Tremmel (Cowriter), and everyone else who has made this possible!! I love you all!!

xoxo
    -Bri Ray

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SX9sJA7R4yY

Home sweet home

I am glad to announce that both my parents arrived safely in SLC Thursday night! I got to visit my dad in the hospital Friday afternoon and it was absolutely incredible. He is such a strong man and such a good sport!! I love him so much. He is such a rock in my life.

{stay golden}

Pure perfection

I would like to share a little moment I had today.

I was feeling really low. I just really was feeling down on myself and honestly feeling like a failure in every way possible. But then I got on twitter (not like that's out if the ordinary) and I saw an amazing tweet posted by an amazing girl.

 "Think to yourself that god may be looking down on you and saying, 'What do you mean you don't love yourself? I worked so hard on you.'"

That hit home. I may or may not have literally started crying. Because we are constantly surrounded by a world telling us what we should look like, act like, dress like, and even laugh like! We are raised being told that we are good enough, but being taught by the world that we are not.

So many people say, "oh but in the end, none of that matters."

But what about the in beginning?? What about all the hard work god put into every single one of us?

Perfection is possible and very real. We were all made to perfection, each persons' perfection is just different.

The purest perfection, however, is found in truly learning to love yourself and others. None of this fake a smile until you make everyone believe it's real. No. Pure perfection and beauty is in accepting, loving, an enjoying who you are. Is it one of the hardest things to do? Definitely. But it's so worth it.

xoxo

  -Bri

Just Keep Swimming

I'm sure we have all seen the movie "Finding Nemo."

And well if you haven't.... It's time you treated yourself. Grab a blanket, some popcorn, and watch it tonight. (I expect a full report.)

I don't know about you guys, but my favorite character of the movie has been and always will be Dory (Well aside from Crush of course. Rock on dudes).

I love the endless determination and trust Dory gives to life. This could be because she is subconsciously forgetting the trials life has sent her, but there is still so much to learn from her "press forward" character.

So often we will feel like we are drowning. It feels like we are swimming against the current or caught in a riptide. It's hard to find the strength to keep going.

But we have to "Just Keep Swimming" - Dory

In the wise words of Shane Koyczan,

"There will be bad days. Be calm. Loosen your grip, opening each palm slowly now. Let go. Be confident. Know that now is only a moment, and that if today is as bad as it gets, understand that by tomorrow, today will have ended... Be diligent. Scrape the gray sky clean. Realize every dark cloud is a smoke screen meant to blind us from the truth, and the truth is whether we see them or not - the sun and moon are still there and always there is light" (Instructions for a Bad Day).

In honor of Dory I bought a fish yesterday.

Swim on darlings.

 

xoxo

  

  - Bri

Songs and stuff

Alright! So today I want to share my favorite songs with you!!


1. Clown ~ Emeli Sandé
I really don't know why I am so obsessed with this song, maybe it's because sometimes I really do feel like a "clown" on display. But it is a fabulous song!


2. Hello Fear & Smile ~ Kirk Franklin
I guess you could say these are my two gospel jams... I love their uplifting message!

3. Breathe me ~ Sia
We all have points in our lives where we feel like we've hit rock bottom and there will literally be no tomorrow... Sometimes I don't even want a song that makes me feel better, I just want one that matches the mood and this is the song I go to!

4. Titanium ~ David guetta ft. Sia
This song is seriously such an influence in my life. You may think that's weird, but I'm totally serious. The whole overall message of this song is so empowering. It reminds me that people will try to tear me down, and sometimes I'll fall. But in the end it's my decision to stay down or to get up and be "titanium".

5. Born to be somebody ~ Justin Bieber
I love this song. I probably listen to it everyday. I just feel like I really was born to be somebody! I always feel encouragement after listening to this song, so I always listen to it whenever I'm discouraged.

6. Can we dance ~ The Vamps
Ok. The Vamps have to be my absolute favorite boy band!! I am in love with them!! So check out this song and you probably will too!!

7. Like Me or Not ~ Ryan Beatty
Haha this song.... I adore it! It is just so straight up and sums up my whole love life!

8. Fly ~ Luna Lune
Guys, this song is just absolutely incredible. That's all I have to say!

9. Anywhere, Anything ~ Gabe Bondoc
This is possibly the sweetest song out there! If a boy ever played and sang this song for me I would marry them then and there.

10. All in my head ~ Tori Kelly
Everything about this song is perfect. But you have to listen to the ACOUSTIC version!


xoxo
 
  - Bri

Titanium

Many of you may have heard, but for those of you who haven't my dad has had a stroke . He was in England with my sister and mom for a vacation, and has now been hospitalized there . He currently cannot move the right side of his body or speak . If there is one thing my dad has taught me it's to never give up . Right now he is a living example of someone who is titanium . He is such a strong and determined man . So this video is dedicated to him .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kwp_Riz0rO4

"Sometimes we must get knocked down lower than we've ever been, so we can stand up higher than we ever were."



xoxo
 
   -Bri

{Be Careful What You Create}

"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." ~George Bernard Shaw

Dino Obsession

Sorry it's been a while loves! I've been lazy lately! Anyway... I've developed an obsession with T-Rex jokes. So I have included some below(: haha enjoy them! Love you darlings!


xoxo

  -Bri

Dancing With Angels

Recently a girl I knew committed suicide. She as an amazing influence and example for so many people. She was a fabulous dancer. So in her remembrance I wrote this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3myPhGjiF78

xoxo

  -Bri

Ed Sheeran

So Wednesday I went to the Ed Sheeran concert! And I have to say it was fabulous!!
He is so amazing!!

p.s. for anyone who attends a concert at a stand-up, general admission venue (like this one) I learned a new trick to make your way to the front. Maybe I'll share it with you sometime(;

xoxo

  -Bri

The breaking point

Today a girl I knew committed suicide. Everyone was shocked. She seemed so happy and was always kind.

I didn't know her very well, but she did a photo shoot for me and she was extremely talented.

I got to thinking, where is the line? Where is the point that you just can't take it anymore?
When is the time to get help? When do you try to push through?

Where is the breaking point and what causes it?

I don't know the answers to these questions, but I know that in no way do I ever want to be a part of someone's breaking point. I never want to be the one to say or do the thing that pushes them over the edge. I never want harsh words I have spoken to be the last thing they hear.

It is so important that we are kind. Why do we feel the need to tear others down so low when in the end we just end up lower?

We have no idea what anyone is going through. All we know is what they choose to show us. And usually that's only the tip of the iceberg.

It's amazing how those that seem like the happiest people really have the saddest hearts.

I challenge all of you to be the turning point in someone's life. Turn them away from that breaking point. Sometimes all it takes is a simple smile, or even a "hey."

But if you ask how someone is doing, take a second and really listen to the reply. Show that you care and that you are there. Help them find reasons to turn away from the painful shattering end of the breaking point.

My friend was truly amazing and my heart and love goes out to her family and friends. I cannot imagine what they are going through.


xoxo

  -Bri

LA BABY!

Ok as you probably know by now, I did spend the past few days in California with my precious mommy! It was amazing! We had so much fun.

So here is the run down of our trip in a nut shell.

We left on Friday and drove to St George. There we had dinner with my older brother Tarnue and my nephew Tyrese!

From there we drove to Las Vegas and stayed with our adorable family friends.

Then early Saturday morning we drove the rest of the way to Cali! We checked into the Double Tree Hotel and then headed to the beach.

We went to Santa Monica Beach and rode the roller coasters and watched the sunset over the ocean. It was beautiful. After, we walked across a beautiful bridge and found a place to eat. It was a crepé place and oh my goodness it was delicious! I got an apple pecan salad. My mom and I shared a dessert crepe after. Then we wandered around.

The next day was Sunday and we basically just relaxed the whole day! However we wanted to switch hotels so we could see a different part of LA! My dad booked us a hotel and it turned out being in a sketchy part of town with no internet. So we quickly canceled our reservation and ended up at the W Hotel right across the street from Capitol Records!!

We saw the Hollywood sign and walked on Hollywood walk! It was very fun! Monday we did some shopping and then drove back to Vegas for the night. And this morning we drove to St George for lunch with my brother and we just got home about an hour ago! I'd say it was one of the best mommy daughter dates ever! But now I've got school tomorrow! Ugh! So not excited... But I also have the Ed Sheeran concert tomorrow!!! I cannot wait!!
I hope everyone had a great weekend too!

xoxo

  -Bri

Getting to know the unknown

Ok so as you all probably know, there is this insta tag thing going on. And I was not going to participate, but then I thought why not. So I did. However, lucky for all of you, you not only get those five, but also another extra five! Oookkay

Número uno: I've never kissed anyone! (Proud of it thank you)
#2: I've never watched a scary movie in my life.
#3: I have a bad habit of not telling anyone when anything is wrong.
#4: I hate it when girls act stupid and fake... Like come one now, lets be real.
#5: I cannot stand liars!! If you don't think I deserve the truth, you definitely don't deserve my trust.
#6: I HATE it when someone's feet touch mine or me in anyway. It disgusts me.
#7: I don't have a favorite eye color, but I'm a sucker for gorgeous eyes and smiles!
#8: I don't like being clung too. If you treat me right I will stay in your life, no need to copy my every move and cling to me like its the end of the world. That day has supposedly come and gone.
#9: I absolutely love Thai food!
#10: I always have secret dance parties in my room.... Like on the daily... Just saying.

Alright!!! That's me! Feel free to send me any fun facts about you!

xoxo
 
  -Bri

He had a dream so that I could have mine.

Alright, so first things first! It's Martin Luther King Day! He really is one of my heroes. I think everything he did was absolutely amazing. So I would like to share my favorite part of his "I Have A Dream" speech.

"I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.
 Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.
I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day the state of Alabama, whose governor's lips are presently dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, will be transformed into a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
This is our hope. This is the faith with which I return to the South. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."
And if America is to be a great nation this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!
Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado!
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California!
But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!
Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee!
Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"


The parts that are bolded are my favorite parts. This speech really does mean a lot to me. Because Martin Luther King took a stand and followed his dream, I have the freedom to follow mine. I have the freedom to sing as I please. I am free to write the songs of my heart and soul. I am free to have the best friends I do. I am free to go where I please. I am free to walk through the front doors of restaurants, to sit at the front of a bus, and to drink out of the same water fountain as my peers. The last words of his speech are in every way true. "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

 I hope every one of you will follow your dreams. It is an important part of life and an opportunity many may not have. Much love, roses and daisies! 

xoxo

  -Bri

A Drop In The Ocean

Lezbehonest..... last night I finally watched Pitch Perfect!!! Thanks to by two fabulous best friends Rilie and Rikkell! I loved it. It easily could have been one of the funniest movies I've ever seen! Anyway, here in Utah it is freezing. I'm talking like single digit sometimes negative digit kind of weather. I hate it. I'm fine with the snow, but since when does it get this cold here!!? Oh wait... it doesn't! I don't know why it is now! So the lake is frozen solid, and my friend Kayla Dorman and I decided to shoot a video down on the lake..... ya.... bad idea. It was 9 degrees and we thought we were going to freeze to death. Nevertheless, we got the video done, and now all of you lovelies can watch it!!! So here is a link to my cover of A Drop In The Ocean by Ron Pope.
Enjoy!!

xoxo

  -Bri 

In The End

Since I've been at home, in my room, sick for the past two days, I've had a lot of time for thinking.

Well I guess I wouldn't necessarily say a lot (thanks to Gossip Girl) but quite a bit.

As I looked back over the years, I realized something.

The friends I lost taught me so much. They taught me how to loose someone's trust. They taught me how to stretch the truth just enough to get by. They taught me how to sacrifice others' well being for my own benefit. They taught me how to loose myself.

However, I also learned a lot from the friends who have stuck with me. I learned to serve. I learned how to be kind. I learned that no matter what a true friend is the one that will always be there for you.

I learned how to be a true friend. I learned to focus on others needs rather than my own. I also learned that personal appearance may not be the most important thing in the world. However, inner appearance very well may be.

Because in the end, it's not about how many followers you have on instagram or twitter. Or how many subscribers you have on youtube.

It's not about how many parties you can get invited to in one night, or how many hearts you can twist.

In the end, it's about how many lives you made better, how many tears you dried, and how many times you were honest when it would have been so much easier to lie.

In the end it won't matter if you have a billion fake friends. All that will matter is if you were a true friend to someone else.


xoxo

  -Bri

The Top Ten

First off, Happy Monday!! (even though I personally hate Mondays). I hate a depressing day, but it got better when I came home to warm Zucchini bread and hot chocolate(: I love my mom!! Anyway... today I want to share my favorite songs with everyone!!

Song #1: Landfill - Daughter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gnf2J-V_OWA
I honestly love this song. I feel like the lyrics are so powerful and very easy to relate to in many situations.

Song #2: Oath - Cher Lloyd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cqz713hhz1Y
Ok why do I absolutely adore this song? Well... maybe because I really do have the best friends anyone could ask for. First, Mitchell. We honestly have been best friends since birth. Even though we don't hang out every weekend, I know I can count on him. Second, Olivia. This girl kills me. Literally kills me. She is absolutely the funniest and I can never stay mad at her! She is a crazy good volleyball players and just gets all the men! Third, Kayla. Kayla is a newer friend to me, but she means the world to me. She always gives the best advice and knows when anything is wrong (I'm really good at hiding it usually). Kayla has a way of making huge problems seem small. She is just absolutely amazing! Fourth, Mikayla. Mikayla is just.... well Mikayla. Her mood swings are insane. She is completely determined when she sets her mind to something. She always has my back. I know that if someone hurts me or pisses me off, she is on them like no other until I feel better. Last, but DEFINITELY not least, Becky. My ginger. She is the sweetest, kindest, humblest, and most trustworthy girl I know. She is never ungrateful for anything. Somehow, she manages to find the good in everyone and everything. She isn't one to gossip or lie. If the whole world had turned against me except for one person, that person would be Becky. Because no matter what I know I can count on her. I know she will always be there for me.

Song #3: Fly - Nicki Minaj ft. Rihanna
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSgGk-boBKk
This song... Oh my gosh... whenever I need a push, or I think I can't do something, this is the song I listen to.

Song #4: Thought Of You - Justin Bieber
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYdcZmWt_Uc
I adore the pre-chorus and chorus in this song. The line
"I'm in love with the thought of you." Kills me everytime! I absolutely love it(:

Song #5: With You - Chris Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmjdaBaZe8Y
Ok so let's be honest... I've been in love with this song forever... It is probably my all time favorite song! Why? I really don't know... But I do LOVE Christ Browns voice! It makes me melt.

Song #6: I Was Here - Beyoncé
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpIDR9I7hbM
I love the concept of this song because I do want people to know I was here. I don't want to be forgotten. 

Song #7: A Drop In The Ocean - Ron Pope
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVsrP9OJ6PA
Who knows why I love this song, but I really do. Simple as that!

Song #8: All Too Well - Taylor Swift
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRXP0Whtlgg
I can't explain this song.... I think I love it because I used to be too quick to trust. I used to fall to quickly, but that's changed. My favorite lines are in the bridge: "Hey you called me up again just to break me like a promise; So casually cruel in the name of being honest. I'm a crumbled up piece of paper lying here, Cause I remember it all all all too well."

Song #9: If I were A Boy - Beyoncé
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd6FXOTapMM
Basically.... I think this song is just calling people out. However, it's not only boys cheating on girls these days. Girls have been just as bad and continue to get worse. I only have two words... shape up.

Song # 10: What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4cX3oWJO-I 
Simply because this really is a wonderful world. Enjoy the journey!

Ok lovelies! There you have it! Ten of my favorite songs! 

{Stay Golden}