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