Passion

I have a passion for helping people, solely because there were very few people who were there to help me when I needed guidance.  This passion has influenced the creation of an anti-bullying program, this blog, and my dreams of opening my own child psychology practice in Manhattan.  Find your passion and pursue it to your fullest potential; you have no idea how many people you can inspire as a result.

Danielle

Hardships

I don't think that I have read truer words.  Life throws you curve balls and sometimes you're going to get hit by a pitch.  How you handle those obstacles will lead you to better days.  Leaping over these hurdles will provide you with endless options in life, endless opportunities to create yourself and meet others who truly appreciate you.  It isn't until you shake off the pain that you can focus on the road ahead.  These bruises will ache for periods of time, but they will fade.  Sometimes there will be scars, but rehash on these permanent marks and realize these experiences have shaped who you are.  By learning from these times, you will only grow and find the key to your happiness.  

Presentation Reflection

It never ceases to amaze me how engaged an audience of middle schoolers can be when I share my stories.  It's hard to believe I sat in the same cafeteria, learned in the same classrooms, and ran in the same gym as them, just five years ago.  My head almost hits the ceiling now, but then I felt so small and so alone.  I'd like to think I've conquered Smith Middle School; I've overcome some of my biggest obstacles in that building.

Yesterday I had the opportunity for the third year to talk to the D.A.R.E. Club students; the audience was about sixty kids and a few parents.  My junior year, the club was about half the size.  The visible passion to tackle the issues of bullying and underage drug/alcohol at this age is inspiring.  Middle school is a time to figure out who you want to be and where you can view the paths that are before you to ensure the right one is chosen.  There will be mistakes made, all contributing so one's growth.  Those years are a vital time to learn and discover the world and one's self.

I truly believe that I endured what I did so I could share my story with others.  At the time, I sat on the outside looking in, making sacrifices for everyone, yet no one seemed to make them for me.  Then, I did not realize the purpose of my angst and frustration.  Today, I can see how each experience impacted me to become who I am today. Sharing these stories with others, watching them hang on every word I spoke-- there is truly nothing more rewarding.  Hearing that there is positive feedback is the most gratifying thing.  My goal is to make sure no one has to go through the traumatizing experiences that I went through.  If I help at least one person, then I've made all the difference.

Danielle

Ray of Sunshine

Sometimes You Realize

For some it may take awhile, and it always seemed that way with me, but you will realize eventually how you deserve to be treated.  I tend to think the best of people, which often times bites me in the butt.  There's nothing wrong with having expectations, because it allows you to develop a threshold of behaviors and personalities that you won't tolerate, but at the same time, it hurts when those expectations are not realities.

Even at 18 years old, I still face disappointments in how people treat me.  Though I may talk about how I've overcome obstacle after obstacle, it does not dismiss the upset feelings that result.  I'm entitled to be disappointed and frustrated, even though I have built up enough confidence to brush myself off and keep going.  I may be too nice or too naive sometimes; I don't like conflict, so I don't like to bring things up, but perhaps I should.

Over the past four months I've been able to distinguish that particular friends treat me a heck of a lot better than other friends.  Some haven't quite grasped that friendship is give and take, but I have met plenty or people who have shown me that there are still faithful and trustworthy people out there.  I guess sometimes you realize you've hit the top of that threshold, the point where you can't tolerate being pushed to the side any longer.  What am I going to do about it?  To tell you the truth, I'm not quite sure, but it's about time that I've realized what I truly deserve, and acted on it.

Danielle

Perhaps

End of An Era Part I

Today I fly back home after my first semester as a college student.  About three and a half months ago, I was petrified to move forward into the next chapter of my life.  The thoughts of leaving home, leaving everything that was so familiar to me was absolutely frightening.  In retrospect, I realized that my fears were dismissed after diving head first into the best experience of my life thus far.

I was being pulled in two different directions.  Part of me wanted a change of pace from the same small town, the same faces, and the same routine, but another part of me didn't want to leave what I was bored with. It's so convenient to just be content, but that was not necessarily what was best for me.  It was time to move forward from my routine ways and realize there was a better place out there for me.  There were new people to meet, new opportunities to grasp, and a new story to write.

Everyone told me how lucky I was to be a freshman in college, beginning a new journey where I would truly learn the most about myself.  Everyone also told me how quickly the years would fly by, and after experiencing this first semester, I completely believe them.  Another part of all of this is that I don't think I expected things to be as fantastic as they turned out to be.  Things started out so perfectly, and they truly haven't stopped being so perfect.  Having my roommate and suite mate become two of my closest friends in the matter of a week was unexpected.  Being welcomed onto the club soccer team was a surprise.  Finding nice, genuine people was a miracle in itself.  Just being on the #1 ranked 'Most Beautiful Campus in the World' makes you happy.  The Carolina sunshine, the brick buildings, and the fountains- how can you not love where you're at?

I like to think that my happiness sort of plateaued over the summer; graduation and vacation were the peaks of my excitement, but shortly after, I found myself content, but also yearning for something different.  Distance from my old routines could not have come at a better time.  It's hard to believe that seven years ago I found myself feeling alone and the outside looking in.  Now, I truly could not be happier.  There's something special about knowing you are always loved at home, but you always have people who are genuinely happy for you and excited to see you when you get back to school.  Leaving home and school is always bittersweet, but in all honesty, I think that is the best conflict I could ask for.

Maybe your opportunity to find true happiness isn't college; maybe it's something sooner or later, but I promise it will come if you let down your guard and give yourself every chance to put yourself out there.  Life is a whole lot sweeter when you do.

Danielle

We'll Make It Out Alive

Today I scrolled through my camera roll, various Facebook photos, and searched through old albums on my laptop.  I had difficulty finding the weekly "#tbt" or Throwback Thursday picture for Instagram- so girly and so typical, I know.  I went through vacation pictures, family portraits, baby pictures- the whole bit, but then I realized the date.  It was November 21st.  Were there any birthdays, anniversaries, or anything I should've been aware of? Not that I know of.  All I remembered was that five months ago I graced across the stage and received my high school diploma.  It's hard to believe the things I've accomplished in eighteen years, but I think it's more amazing to me the strength that I built after being a victim of bullying for three years during middle school.

Some are amazed at how open I am about such a sensitive topic, and the truth is that I am still sensitive about certain aspects of my traumatic experiences; however, I think I have pushed more of the horrid memories to the back burner and choose not to harp on them.  Somehow I overcame the ridicule, the exclusion, and the threats and became a strong, confident individual.  I still question how every day.  Yes, I left the house with a smile every day, throwing off my 'enemies,' but that does not dismiss the terrifying feelings I had every day as I walked through the doors of my middle school.

Persistence.  Staying strong.  Having an outlet.  All of these things lifted me above the hurt and devastation and allowed me to remain true to myself.  I never changed for anyone, even when the peer pressure and the opportunities were present.  I did not want to be anything else, I just wanted to understand why I was a target and why I was being put through all of this hurt.

My world changed in high school; I found my best friend on the second day of freshman year, I became involved in too many clubs (just like they tell you not to), and I kept smiling.  I found that my passion is in the heart of helping other kids avoid bullying situations altogether, but if for whatever terrible reason, someone finds themselves in a situation like I experienced, I provided knowledge and experience to guide them through whatever obstacles they faced.

I received scholarships and a fancy award in New York City commending my leadership and guidance roles, but all of this wasn't as important to me than realizing I made it out of one of the toughest situations I have ever faced.  An eleven year old should not have to face what I faced, but the outcome has reflected my journey.  I have grown up, learned to love who I am, learned to accept others with open arms.  I have become more patient and understanding, more gracious and humble.  Crossing that stage on June 21, 2013 was like crossing the bridge into the next stage of my life-- Elon University.  It is so rewarding and humbling to hear from people who say I've changed their lives. I made it out alive and well, and hope to continue to be a light on someone's dark and dampened day.

Danielle

Why Smile?

As you can tell by my blog title, a lot of what I'm trying to get across deals with subtle actions all humans are capable of.  So many times, and as cliché as it may sound, we all smile in the same language.  There is no escaping that.  Walking through campus today, I cannot even begin to explain how much a smile can do for someone, including myself.

You never know someone's backstory, how their day has been going, or their current mood, so why not just show those pearly whites and make their day a little bit better? Even if everything is going their way, what harm can a grin do? A smile can be the little bit of hope someone needs to move along with their day.

A smile means strength.  Six years ago, as I was going through middle school hell, I hated getting out of bed in the morning to go to school, knowing what I would be facing throughout the day.  I was filled with nothing but fear of the day to come.  Still, I got up, got dressed, and left my house every day with a smile on my face, intimidating my so-called enemies at the time.  If you told me six years ago that a smile would have gotten me through some of the most traumatic times of my life, I would've called BS on that one, but it was nothing but the truth.

After all, "the best revenge is a smile, because nothing drives someone crazier than seeing someone have a great life." Keep chugging along, even when you've got that heavy feeling in the pit of your stomach.  Get up, smell the roses, realize all you can do to have a fantastic day, and smile.  I'm sure it looks beautiful on you.

Danielle

Inspiration

There's some sort of spark that is lit within each of us that allows a passion to erupt.  That tingly feeling that creeps from the pit of one's stomach and eventually touches one's heart is a feeling that inspires one to do great things for the world, for others, and for one's self.  Life throws all sorts of obstacles, and I am a firm believer that each and every obstacle will only push each of us to a different success.  As we encounter particular obstacles on our life endeavors, it's easy to throw up the white flag and surrender to the demands of the society around us.  I say there's more; there's more to life than ebb and flow.  There's that passion, that spark, that feeling of butterflies in your stomach that let us open up to those around us, let down our guard, and try and understand everyone's backstory.

I think the fact that each person you encounter in your day, whether it is a close friend, or a passerby on the way to get a cup of coffee, each person has their own story.  Someone's past could be positive or it could be broken.  By looking at the surface, there is no possible way to understand a person's background.  It is not to say that every person we encounter, we can relate to on a personal, emotional, or spiritual level; it's merely impossible to find a meaningful connection with everyone-- differences make the world go 'round; however, by becoming more open and vulnerable individuals, we make it easier to relate to each other.

I can't say my life has been full of rainbows and dandelions; I've had my fair share of hurtful experiences, but I truly believe I went through these instances for a reason.  Sitting at IV large group tonight did not only remind me of the purpose of my troubling times, but also highlighted that I, as does everyone, have the potential to become a light in a room of darkness.  It may not be easy to stand apart from the wave of norms that engulf us, but it is worth it to the many people with broken pasts, looking for the person to relate to them, or at least try to.

This is such a makeshift blog post, my first one as well as you can probably tell, but I hope to use this blog as a source of inspiration to those who need it the most.  Whether you are one of those individuals searching for a better tomorrow, or someone who needs the extra push to serve as an inspiration to others, I hope that you leave inspired.  Anti-bullying will eventually become a common topic, as I dealt with bullying throughout my middle school years.  That is my passion, to help other kids so they don't have to have a broken past, and I hope that I can help mend anyone else's.

Danielle