It isn't about the absence of fear, but doing things in spite of it. Each Friday I recognize amazing females I've come across that are helping others change their lives in a positive way and represent a type of fearlessness that we can all learn from and be inspired by.
A mutual friend of ours saw something similar between myself and this weeks Fearless Female. It was enough that she insisted on we meet. I had told her I wouldn't be able to meet for a while as I had just gotten into an ATV accident and couldn't drive. So she RAK'd me!
Meet Danielle Teal. If you don't know her you should. You've probably heard of her, or if you are lucky, have heard that contagiously loud laugh of hers. She's fearless, she's giving and now one of my best friends.
Without hardly knowing two things about her, she insisted that she bring me and my family dinner. She came packed up ready to make a full meal of us, did my dishes, I was astonished at the kindness of someone I didn't know. That's her though. That's her platform and mission in this world through her group Caring Acts of Kindness Everywhere (CAKE), to make kindness matter and make it a daily ritual. In fact she's been consistently doing this for YEARS every single day. It's not just her kind spirit but her tenacity that makes her one of my Fearless Female highlights.
Why I picked Danielle
Her heart is pure gold. She holds no judgments against anyone for any reason and is always open to the benefit of the doubt. if there is a chance to make someones day or life better, consider her in. She shows up in all her relationships and in this community in ways most don't.
She doesn't give up. Her satisfaction level continues to move as she levels up. I'm sure she's had doubts in her mind but she continues to ask "why not me?" instead of "why me?". I've seen her through some of her biggest struggles and not once did she sit down and say I'm done. She continues to level up!
She's isn't defined by any circumstance. Many in life become victims of their circumstances. They believe that where they are is where they will always be. Not only does she not take up residency in a victim mindset, she reaches those who've fallen to that paralyzing thought and shows them kindness that can transform their thinking. THIS is powerful!
Here is what Danielle says about tackling fear and overcoming hardships:
"You push through. That's my best advice. No matter what you're scared of or what obstacles are in your way - you push through. There have been many instances in my life where I could have just let the fear and obstacle paralyze me and I wouldn't have accomplished my goal. But I kept going and pushed through when I was too tired to do my homework, or I was worries about having enough funds for the down payment on my house or raising a child solely on my own - I pushed through all that fear and kept going. And when it's a struggle to get that gumption to push through, that's when it's key to surround yourself with your friends and family to remind you of your worth and why your goals are important again. Sometimes we need our community to help push through too."
I'm blessed to know her and call her one of my very best friends. This photo was taken 6 years ago and it's amazing the journey's we have experienced over the years.
I'm inspired by her tenacity, humbled by her heart and motivated by her drive to overcome any obstacle.