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