Gratitude: I love the feeling of feeling irritated when my mom or grandmother tell me to be careful in that very human way, and the realization that someday I will miss that more than anything. I love when coffee is that perfect temperature. I love sipping espresso with a piece of ricotta pie, appreciating in that moment my Italian culture. I love my grandmothers accent that has not faded in the 60 years she has been in this country. I love the feeling of  supporting someone I love by giving advice. I love realizing that my best friend is so different yet I can come to understand the unique way that she shows love. I love that I can fall in love at first sight because at this point in my life I have learned to trust my gut and I know that my experience will catch up to it. Equally I love the experience of growing into love as time can uncover truth. I love appreciating someone for all of what they are and enjoying the time I have with them knowing that they will not be there forever. I love realizing that I can go against my nature and exhibit discipline by tapping into my inner strength. I love thunderstorms in the summer, watching the lightning and listening to the crack of thunder from my porch. I love my private concerts in my car with the wind blowing through my hair and feeling the warmth in between my fingers as I hang my left hand out the window. I love when I go to my grandmothers house and feel so loved and taken care of. I love that I did not grow up with everything handed to me because it has shown me resilience, resourcefulness, and how to truly work for what I have.

I love when something I have said to someone pushes them in a positive direction. I love even more when they tell me so. I love going to musicals. I love when someone smiles and shakes their head at me because what I have just done or said is so ridiculous and can only be explained using the phrase "that is such a Danielle thing to do or say".

I love telling stories. I am a storyteller. I love even more when someone tells me a story and says, "hey listen to this, definitely a Danielle story".

I love listening to the sound of rain on my roof as I fall asleep. I love how the background appears to waver as the heat from a car or pavement rises into the air. I love the feeling of someone being so pumped to see you they pick you up and spin you around. The feeling of eye contact that you can feel from their heart to heart, fully understood. I love the feeling of being held as I cry in full support and love.

I actually love being called out, and no I don't mean it feels good in the moment, but it forces me to look at myself and question where it came from and gives me the opportunity for growth.

What I don't love?

I think it is easy to talk about the things we love, the things that make our hearts sing, but just as life is beautiful, it is also really hard, and dark, to me, the best things come from struggle. The good things seem sweeter because they are juxtaposed next to darkness. I don’t love when I am in a situation where I am forced to ask for help. I don’t love the feeling that I am not good enough, the feeling in your heart when someone you love disappoints or betrays you. The feeling of being ignored, of not feeling valued. When people lack the integrity to do what they say they are going to do. That Donald Trump is president. That our climate is changing at a rapid pace and some folks could not be bothered to think twice about it. That most of humanity suffers while a select few live the life of plenty. When I am trying to articulate myself and end up being more deeply misunderstood than if I had not said anything. When I try to improve a situation, and end up making it worse... When I think too much and build up the very thing I am afraid of into reality. When I lose myself in someone else as my altruistic caring nature is still learning to find the balance between giving and receiving.

I am going to think of this post as one that is fluid and constantly changing, because the things that I love and realize I love grow with each day as I begin to uncover the complexity of my own spirit. I challenge everyone to think about what they are grateful for, and to appreciate the darkness that helped them to see the contrast. 

When we surrender, all that we have been looking for seems to just float in.

When we grip things too tightly they seem to slip right through our fingertips. When we are looking for something so feverishly, paradoxically, it seems even further from our reach. 

Maybe all our spirit has been waiting for is for us to fully surrender into our truth. Part of our life's journey is to figure out what that truth is. 

The hardest part is allowing ourselves to surrender to that vulnerability, to the idea that the only thing we really have control over is ourselves. Perhaps when we have so deeply surrendered to our truth then others can lead in our example. 

When we become so unforgivingly all that we are, that truth radiates so beautifully, we can move mountains. 

All that struggle we endured may be to realize that some day we can feel peace, someday we can let go, we can surrender to ourselves. 

"It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent."- Madeleine Albright

Most people acquainted with my unique version of crazy are not surprised by my chaotic menu of daily activities. So, admittedly, it is hard for me to ever picture myself having my one "thing". 

I would say there are a multitude of things where I have basically just dipped my toe in the water, maybe even a whole foot, who knows? None of these things have really yet brought me to a full plunge. If I am being totally honest, it is really not my short attention span holding me back (though that certainly is part of it), it is the fear of failure. 

Throughout my life I have forced myself to the edge of my comfort zone. I try new things constantly, meet new people, jump off of things, take risks (sometimes a little too much), have traveled as much as life will allow, and put my heart out on the line more times than I can count--though, I am no braver, crazier, smarter, or stronger than anyone else. 

I have just forced myself despite that gut-wrenching fear in the pit of my stomach to that edge anyway. 

I mean, hell. At any point in time you might find me drumming, dancing, cheerleading, singing, performing, cliff-jumping, falling in love, traveling solo, writing poetry, and maybe a few other things I won't list here to keep it PG. 

So I want to basically push the envelop again. I think by writing things down we begin to hold ourselves accountable. I want to push myself even deeper into my own fear. Actually coming full circle to a place where I really began to let go of my fear. I want to challenge myself to sing again, not sure in what capacity, or in what venue, but I know I need to. 

Those who know me now would likely be in shock if I told them for half of my life I was painfully shy. At one time, I probably would have actually rather gotten my teeth pulled than speak my mind. Sticking up for myself just wasn't a thing, I basically spoke when spoken to (True story, I swear!). 

I have had some pretty life-changing teachers in my life that saw me for all that I could be, and pushed me even further. One I am thinking of in particular was my choir teacher in high school. She is someone I will never forget, she pushed me--though maybe against my will haha, out of my comfort zone, really for the first time. She dragged me to where she knew I could go. She knew how much I loved singing and how badly I wanted to perform, but she also felt my crippling fear and doubt in myself. 

She encouraged me to try out for solos, but the turning point was really when she essentially tricked me into trying out for the lead in our school play. I am not even sure she knows how monumental that really was. 

Of course a totally mediocre school play, but that is not what was significant about the whole thing. She believed in me more than even I believed in myself. At the end of the day, a play happened, I got on stage and no one died, I was not so sure that would have been the outcome back then. 

It brings me to a place of such gratitude to have been blessed with so many wonderful teachers. Not even teachers in the traditional sense, teachers can come to us in many ways throughout our life, we have to listen. Many of my teachers have dropped in and out of my life but their lessons have truly touched me, changed me. Teachers should also totally get paid more, just saying.

So if you don't hear about me singing again in some capacity in the near future, totally call me out. It is something that scares me, but there is just something that tells me I need to do it anyway. 

We exist, in our entirety,
as a compilation of all there is,
of all that has ever touched us. 

A wave sourced from the whole,
but distilled down to just a small part. 

Like a thought that arises from our consciousness
and escapes our lips. 

Experienced as the feeling of a wave
washing over bare feet 
walking across the shore. 
​
Footprints left behind 
fading among the sand.

Though the energy left behind does not disappear,
​it merely changes form.

Interest begins with a swipe, attention displayed with a double-tap, or a thumbs up. Communication defined by an app as it disappears in an instant, not even archived. 

Commitment, solidified with the status change by the click of a button. 

Lives from breakfast, to marriage, to baby--visible all in a timeline, archived in a distant Facebook memory. Yet people are shocked that their loneliness cannot be resolved with a quick swipe. Hiding behind an artificial smile in a daily selfie, a snapchat story, or Facebook post will not solve loneliness. It brings nothing but temporary gratification. Whatever you are believed to be in the world of social media means nothing compared to the reality that lies in your heart. 

Most are cognizant of their addiction to technology. Claiming they don't text and drive, check Facebook, e-mail, messages, or texts--but what is the reality? We are all guilty of relying too heavily on technology and are aware that the most meaning is drawn from the world that lies outside of our devices. Yet, we still don't break up with our phones.

Build the kind of relationships where you forget to check your notifications-- where the ding of your phone goes unnoticed. Build relationships that leave you so filled with love there is no need to quantify your worthiness in the number of likes on Instagram. 

Build the kind of life that pulls you so deep into the moment that you have no choice but to give that moment your undivided attention. Like a passionate first kiss by the ocean shore with the soft breeze dancing across your face. You stand as one in warmth as you dig your toes into the sand, as the cool ocean waves trickle past your ankles. You feel your breath shared in the space between  as you  pull away and feel the energy--pulsing. You lock eyes as your heart beat rises and falls in sync, even if just for a moment.

Build a life that draws you out of the pervading virtual one and into the real one. Live life outside of your device. 

When I connect with someone I want to hear the emotion in their voice, I want to see the look on their face, their body language, not question what lies on the other end of 3 blinking dots. I want to connect when I see fit, not in the amount of time that society deems as appropriate.

I refuse to mask who I am after X number of dates. I will lay it all out on the table, and for some it will be too much, maybe more than they are ready for or know what to do with, but for others it will be just right. I will not hold back any part of myself so that it is easier for someone else to swallow. 

I won't wait to show my heart. I will leave it there, right on my sleeve. 

To get all that we want out of love and life we must put our hearts on the line, we must be vulnerable and open. No one's soul has ever felt full from a snapchat of your breakfast, or a play-by-play of your morning traffic experience--we are human beings.

We want to be discovered, we want to be understood. We want someone to see us naked and love us for all that we are. 

We cannot expect depth unless we give it first. Someone may break your heart-- you may end up lost--but we all have these fears. We are all searching for the same thing-- but maybe someone just has to be brave enough to open first. 

It's sometimes but not often, where an opportunity presents itself in which you can actually make a dream come true for someone you love. For those that know me even remotely--well you have no doubt heard me do a hauntingly accurate impression of my 82-year-old Italian grandmother. Today is her birthday. This past weekend as a surprise Mother's Day/Birthday gift my cousin and I took her to see the Statue of Liberty for the first time. This woman means the world to me, you will hear me probably tell as many funny stories as frustrating ones about this woman--but I think we give the people we love the hardest time. I see this woman as an extension of myself and as one of the best--but also most difficult woman I have ever known.  

Over and over again my cousin and I would hear her story. She came here on the Andrea Doria when she was 18 years old, alone. Her mother sent her here to give her a better life. She came from an agrarian family that at that time was in the midst of war. My grandmother never wanted to come to America, if it wasn't for the family she has created here she probably would be in Italy sipping an espresso with a little Sambucca, pinky out. To be honest-- that sounds damn good.

Well finally my cousin and I rallied and said now-or-never. We knew it was not going to be easy dragging an 82-year-old stubborn Italian woman crippled with negativity, brutal honesty, complaints, and just all the italian swear words through the streets of Manhattan. Oh and not to mention her knee surgery she will never let you forget-- that happened over a decade ago...

Well we knew it wasn't going to be easy but we didn't know that this valiant attempt to make this woman's dream come true would result in a complaint about virtually every aspect of her life not just in that moment--but starting from the womb. I think my frustration with this negativity stems from love. When we love someone with our entire being, their pain is our pain. 

Well--weather conditions were not ideal this weekend--to put it lightly. Rain, the whole weekend-- the word of the weekend was pluviophile. As the weekend  started off with many wasted attempts on some sort of life lesson about learning to dance in the rain, well yeah, that just message was not getting through. Long story short, I found myself frustrated and had snuck onto the 22nd floor of our hotel through a window because for just one moment I wanted to be alone. As much peace as can be found in the Big Apple I stood there--in the rain 22 floors up. I stood there to recoup my spirit that had been broken down, by probably the only person capable of that--a 4 foot nothing tiny adorable little meatball of an italian woman. 

Well at the ripe old age of 82 just as I realized I was wishing with my whole being that she would learn to dance in the rain, It has only just dawned on me that I should have been telling myself the same thing. Though not in the rain, but dance with the plethora of complaints, negativity, and curse words pouring from my grandmother's mouth. It's hard to watch someone you love choose suffering instead of freedom and happiness. When it comes down to it, we cannot literally give someone the gift of happiness. They need to choose it on their own, and we must learn to dance in the rain as well. 

Post 22nd floor soaked reflection, I had to laugh. The complaints of the rain did not stop, but my attitude did. The same woman who would tell you that your shoes looked like that of a man, is the same woman who also would give you the last dollar she had. Many a plate at a restaurant sent back, ended with the entire restaurant being our friend and somehow leaving with an entire bag of delicious biscotti. 

On the upside we went to a restaurant where my grandmother both loved the waitress and the food-- and it was a Jewish deli, go figure. I can probably count the number of people my grandmother likes on one hand and that woman is now one of them, a miracle in itself. We ate delicious ice cream and my cousin and I watched the beauty of human connection and positivity. 

Despite the complaints, it was all worth it to see the look on her face when she saw that statue--Lady Liberty. Maybe it took an old broken down flowered umbrella faced forward like a sword fighting the wind in my left hand and dragging little italian nana in the other-- but nothing will ever parallel the genuine smile that even she could not hide at the sight of that statue, a dream come true. 

PS- My cousin and I totally get front row seats to heaven, ha! 

 . 

​YESTERDAY I WENT TO LEGACY PLACE IN DEDHAM, FOR THOSE OF YOU NOT FAMILIAR, IT IS YOUR STANDARD SUBURBAN SHOPPING HUB. NOT EXACTLY WHAT  ONE WOULD DESCRIBE AS A QUIET OR PEACEFUL PLACE ANYMORE, UNLESS YOU ARE IN THE OASIS OF STIL STUDIO DOING YOGA OF COURSE. THOUGH JUST BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS THIS PLACE REACHES A SPECIAL KIND OF CHAOS. LEGACY PLACE USED TO JUST BE A GIANT PARKING LOT AND A SHOWCASE CINEMAS THAT MY OLD LANDLORD BUILT BRICK-BY-BRICK. I USED TO DRIVE TO THIS LOT IN HIGH SCHOOL AND WATCH THE LIGHTNING STORMS LIGHT UP THE SKY. WITHOUT A KNOWABLE REASON THIS PARKING LOT ALWAYS HAD A BEAUTIFUL VANTAGE POINT OF THE SKYLINE, SOMETIMES IT CAN STILL BE APPRECIATED BEHIND ITS CONCRETE WALLS.

WELL, EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE I STILL FEEL INCLINED TO TRY AND CATCH SOME OF THE SKYS BEAUTY, FROM THIS RATHER UNASSUMING PLACE. I JUST MISSED THE SUNSET AS THE DAYS ARE MUCH SHORTER NOW. I DID NOT SEE A BEAUTIFUL SKYLINE OR SUNSET BUT I DID NOTICE SOMETHING ELSE. I DROVE BY ALL OF THE PEOPLE HONKING TRYING TO GET A SPOT IN THE MAIN LOT AND DROVE TO THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE PARKING GARAGE, IT IS HERE THAT I HAD A FEW THOUGHTS.

I COULD FEEL THE HECTIC CHAOS AND ENERGY FROM DOWN BELOW, IN SOME WAY THOUGH--I FELT IMMUNE--UNPHASED BY IT. THE SCENE LOOKED LIKE A FLURRY OF SIMULTANEOUS DISCORDINANT, FAST MOVING, BUT PARADOXICALLY STAGNANT ACTIVITY. JUST BLINKING RED BRAKE LIGHTS, FRUSTRATED SHOPPERS LAYING ON THE HORN, FOLKS WALKING BRISKLY BY ONE ANOTHER, SOMEHOW IT STILL FELT QUIET WHERE I WAS STANDING. AS THOUGH I WAS LOOKING DOWN ON IT FROM SOME FAR OFF DISTANT PLACE, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS JUST A FEW HUNDRED FEET BELOW, IT FELT SO FAR AWAY.

I STARTED TO THINK THAT I WAS ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE AT ONE POINT JUST RUNNING AROUND TRYING TO BUY THE HAPPINESS OF MY LOVED ONES THROUGH A MARKETING GIMICK, AND LAST-MINUTE OF COURSE. IN NO WAY DO I MEAN TO CONDEMN BUYING THINGS FOR YOUR LOVED ONES, THE GENEROSITY THAT I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED AROUND THIS TIME HAS BEEN SO BEAUTIFUL, OFTEN WITH GENUINE INTENT. I WAS JUST THINKING AT THE TOP OF THAT GARAGE HOW I COULD NEVER SEE MYSELF RE-ENTERING THAT LIFE, OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT. I CANNOT FIND PEACE IN THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF EVERYONE RUNNING AROUND, I CANNOT EVEN IMAGINE MYSELF EVER BEING IN THAT PLACE AGAIN.

THOUGH IT WASN'T EASY I OPTED FOR NON-MATERIAL GIFTS THIS SEASON. ( MY FRIEND ALEX AT STAY VOCAL WOULD BE SO PROUD!) NOT ONLY WAS I NOT STRESSED OUT AT ALL THIS SEASON I FEEL SO EXCITED TO GIVE MY GIFTS BECAUSE IT MEANS SPENDING TIME WITH PEOPLE I LOVE MOST.

WHEN PEOPLE LOOK BACK AT THEIR LIVES NO ONE WILL BE SAYING I WISH THAT I SPENT MORE MONEY ON BUYING PEOPLE PRESENTS, THEY WILL BE WISHING THEY SPENT MORE TIME WITH THE PEOPLE THEY LOVE.

I was on a beach in Puerto Rico and I was taking a walk towards the sunset on my first yoga retreat and first real travel by myself. What a beautiful sunset it was. My teacher who is a photographer asked if he could photograph me and started taking photos. I had always been the one taking photos as is obviously true with most photographers and sometimes the biggest challenge, especially for photographers is to get photos of yourself taken.

He started directing me the way he wanted me to be in the frame, and the process actually felt as if I was in a yoga class. I was directed to open my heart, bring my knee over my ankle, before I knew it I actually had forgotten that I was being photographed. I was always so impressed the way that he was able to just draw out authenticity in what can normally be an awkward and uncomfortable experience.

I always aim to as much as possible try and have my subjects forget they are being photographed and to feel like they are just hanging out with me. This goal has always been generated from that experience. It is really hard for me to have photos of myself taken, not only do natural insecurities seem to surface but my overly critical photographer's eye is also at play.

Experiences photographing others can actually be quite intense, you can learn a lot about someone by how they behave in a photo shoot. Relationship dynamics, insecurities, perceptions of others, confidence, etc.

This past weekend I had the lovely experience of giving the gift of a photo shoot for the engagement of my 2 dear friends. I had kind of debriefed them and given them my spiel of why I like to photograph this way and they seemed to agree. Mostly my friend Tim just wanted the shoot to be done, he many times suggested that we could do it without him, he even threw his shoe at one point, anyone who knows him knows what that can mean, haha

Well what was so beautiful about the shoot was their attitude, which I actually thought to be reflective of their relationship. It was raining for just about half the shoot, they remained positive the entire time, never panicked, never freaked out. There was just acceptance of what was. The shoot went smoothly, they went along with whatever crazy things I asked them to do and the photos turned out great.

Auspiciously enough anytime we would get out of the car to try a different spot the rain would hold back just long enough for us to get back into the car to move to the next location, it was actually quite incredible.

I am so happy for my two friends and I wish them both a beautiful future together. Keep smiling through the rain, it is what has and will get you guys through whatever obstacles that cross your path.