Beginnings

Dear Friend,

When I look at my life, I am often astounded by how fortunate I am.  I was fortunate enough to be born in the United States, to middle class parents, and raised in a safe, suburban home.  I was fortunate enough to be cared for by a village of people who loved me and sincerely wished for my success.  I was fortunate enough to attend a private school from kindergarten through grade twelve; a school that overly prepared me for college academically, and through which I developed lifelong friendships.  I was fortunate enough to obtain both trade and undergraduate degrees, in a prestigious school and (not-so-prestigious-but-great) university.  After I graduated, I was fortunate enough to start my career at a company that quickly promoted and valued me.  

I find myself now, age 26, completely self-sufficient and functional in this world.  My days begin and end with a roof over my head.  I work tirelessly at two jobs (same company) that bring me a happiness near indescribable.  I eat regularly.  I drink, bathe in, and flush with clean, running water.  I sleep soundly.  I am in absence of addiction.  I am surrounded in love by friends and companions. I get to do cool stuff like yoga and trapeze.  It would be easy for me to stop here and think, “I’ve accomplished the American dream.  I win.”  Within me, though, is this burning; a feeling I’ve oft described as a ‘hole in my heart.’  You see, I don’t believe that “winning” at this life excuses me from helping others to win.  In fact, I believe it is my responsibility - a deep, resonating and near-Godly calling - to help others feel the satisfaction and gratefulness that I feel in my life.  For years I’ve been thinking about a large scale dedicated service project -- how to implement it, how to orchestrate it, how to explain it to others.  There has always been something in the way, like finishing school, or getting established in my career, etc.  Now there is nothing in the way.  Now is the time to start.  Thus, the birth of Food/Water/Shelter/Space/Love.

When I was in fourth grade, a park ranger told me that all creatures on earth needed four things to survive: food, water, shelter, and space; and that is true.  However, the thing missing we mammals need - especially we of the homo sapien sapiens varietal - is love.  Harlowe’s monkeys taught us that love and affection trumps nourishment when it comes to preference of comfort.  Therefore, I add the fifth elemental necessity for survival on this earth -- indeed, the most important, simple, and wonderful of all -- Love.  As I thought about what kind of service project I would create, those words kept percolating to the surface, until one day it occurred to me that I had a skeleton structure;  a framework by which to create my endeavor.   For an indefinite amount of time, I commit to three service projects under each heading -- Food.  Water.  Shelter.  Space.  Love.

As time progressed, I mulled some more, and determined that this project should be shared with others in hopes that it educates and inspires those around me -- thus, the the birth of this Blog. Here you will find information regarding the topics in question and documentation of my service projects.  My goal for this Blog is 1/2 experiential journal and 1/2 investigative journalism.  Like all things, that might change in time, so let’s all be willing to roll with it!  I hope you choose to keep reading and following me on this journey.  Like in all great journeys, I have no idea what will come of it, whom I will meet, or how I will be changed in the end.  All I know is that I must do it -- it is a directive from a higher power that speaks directly to my heart; a flame within me never to extinguish but to burn brightly, stoked by gratefulness and compassion for this life and those who share it.   

With Love and Light  to You,  

Danielle