4. CCG:Where do you see God taking you and your career in the future?
Danielle:Right now I am studying Music Business at Montreat College in North Carolina. What I love about Montreat is that the professors emphasize what they refer to as calling and career. It’s about finding the talents that God has given you and using those talents to impact the world. I do know God has a purpose for my music. I’m not entirely sure what His full plan is yet, but for now, hearing how my songs have already impacted so many people, tells me God is involved. This experience has already been an amazing yet still humbling journey all at the same time. In the future I’m hoping to continue down this same path while using the opportunities I have been given and what I am learning at Montreat to end up exactly where God intended me to be.
5. If there was one piece of advice you could give anyone what would it be and why?
My advice would be to stay true to yourself and to always be kind.
We live in a world that puts a lot of pressures on us, but the people that rise to success are the ones that dare to be different. Everyone has their own path. There is no such thing as two people having the same exact path through life. Some paths may be filled with greenery, and others may be dry as a desert. Some may be flat and some may be steep. The paths may be similar but everyone has their own rocks or fallen trees blocking their way. If you cave to these outside pressures and do things not because you want to, but just simply because your friends do, then you are walking on the path that someone has designed for you. And I ask you, are the people that you are trusting to design your life selfless enough to make decisions that would truly be best for you? And is that how you want to live? Everyone's outlook on life and perspective of success is different, so do not define your success by someone else's definition of it. When faced with an obstacle or a tree blocking your path, there are many ways to get around the tree and just because you choose a different way that fits your strengths rather than someone else's to get around it, doesn't mean that it is the wrong way. All that matters is getting to the other side.
I also believe it’s extremely important to be kind. I am always amazed by the messages people send to me about how or why they relate to the lyrics within my songs and what their struggles have been. Those comments on my songs and messages are a true reminder that we do not always know how one little act of kindness can impact someone's day. I was taught that you do not always have to be everyone’s best friend, but we can always strive to be kind. It is not our place to cast judgment. It is our job here on earth to be caring and helpful not to condemn. My Mom always emphasized to think about how you want to be remembered. One of my favorite Maya Angelou quotes really states it perfectly: “people will forget what you said; people will forget what you did; but they will never forget how you made them feel”.