The Art of Becoming

If you could design a “perfect” version of yourself with the touch of a button, would you? A younger me would have shouted, “YES!” Now, with half a century of wisdom, I say no. It’s the tapestry of experiences, the stories woven over time, that has created a masterpiece I could never have imagined.

Michelangelo gazed upon a block of marble for months, envisioning David, before chipping away for three years. I've contemplated this post for weeks, allowing its essence to marinate, knowing the title long before the content. For the first time, I feel like a masterpiece in progress, not a mere block of stone. Fifty years of life's sculpting has revealed a powerful, priceless essence within me. Finished or not, I’m ready to step onto the podium and shine.

The process of becoming, I’ve come to see, mirrors the Fibonacci spiral. Each cycle, life’s challenges and opportunities chip away, smooth a little finer, in repeating patterns. This truth resonated deeply when two pivotal souls from my past visited my class. One, a mentor, shaped my professional and personal life, teaching me the true meaning of teaching, the power of unconditional love, community, holding space, and empowering others.

For two decades, this brilliant woman reinforced my integrity and values, teaching me to take the high road, especially when unseen. She showed me how small acts make big differences. She offered to sit with me at unimaginable hours, supporting me through grief and hospital visits while my husband was deployed. She taught me that love and truth prevail, and to trust the process. Her impact is infinite, as is the love from the community formed around her ‘David’—her school.

The second angel appearing before me encouraged me down a new path during a transitional moment. She was my cheerleader as I stepped away from teaching to explore health and wellness coaching, signing up for my first workshop series and helping me stand confidently before adults.

Their presence reminded me that, alongside life’s sculpting, every nuance of our being is shaped by the touch of others. We are reflections of one another, bearing the imprints of every soul we meet.

Here’s what we must remember: becoming takes time. Nature demonstrates this. Art teaches this. Yoga and dance practice this. I’ve been guilty of rushing, wanting the final piece without the necessary contemplation. Recently, I sought to leap to forgiveness before allowing my heart to grieve and feel the deep hurt within.

I was blindsided by a close friend. I was amazed to see old high school patterns of insecurity and drama still making their way in the sculpting process. Feeling that something was “off” I initiated a conversation with an apology for anything I may have done to upset this person and to check in. I received an “it’s all good, I love you” response. Less than two weeks later, I received an email attacking my character and banning me from spaces where we shared community. No further conversation or engagement was welcomed or allowed. I felt confused, betrayed, and deeply hurt. It was a sucker punch to the gut and a deep strike to the heart. Wanting to avoid stories focused on blame and victimhood, I recited prayers of forgiveness.

I sat before a candle, repeating “I forgive and release you,” but felt no relief. As my eyes fell upon rocks and crystals, I saw the mountains they came from. I felt the harshness of water, the tumbling, shaping them through scars and designs into unique formations.

These ancient rocks, shaped by extreme forces, reminded me of metamorphism. Extreme heat and pressure melt and rearrange molecules, forming crystals revealed when broken open. Even then, they are ground and sanded into symbols of wealth. The more hardship, the more precious.

We can’t outthink emotions or fast-forward becoming. By denying discomfort, we rob ourselves of the masterpiece within. We must hold space for hurt, offering compassion, empathy, and time for healing. We need to allow feelings to carve patterns within us, revealing resilience and strength. We need to get out of our heads and allow our body a voice. It speaks to us in movement and stillness, through tears, screams, laughter, shaking, and everything in-between.

My heart is radiant, full, and singing songs of praise. I am so grateful for every ounce of the experience. I have been shaped with more compassion, understanding, new opportunities, strength, and acceptance. What I interpreted initially as a wound proved in time to be a metamorphism of crystals and light forming within my heart. The breaking away revealed the connection I sought in others was within. As I leaned into the sensations and allowed the discomfort of the process, I saw the reflection of the Creator’s design.  My daily mantra, “I am connected to all,” transformed from words to embodiment. I learned to love myself and stand firm in my authenticity in a way I never knew was available or possible.- a new beautiful layer revealed. This is the art of becoming.

I will continue creating my art by loving big, living loud, and playing hard. I will continue to be broken open and reorganized. The mentor and friend I mentioned above built her school on the philosophy “To teach every child as if their life was a work of art.” We are all children in the school of life. Art is a time-consuming and messy process. It needs both light and dark to reveal itself.

Michelangelo saw David in the marble. St. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry saw a cathedral in a rock pile. Mark Nepo sensed a mountain in a stone. I am Danielle. I see stars in crystals and in the eyes and heart of all whom I meet. I am mountain and cathedral, student of Life, radiant sun of the universe, a masterpiece made perfect by life’s darkness and light, and by every beautiful soul that has shaped me.

How do you allow for life and time to shape your masterpiece? How do you celebrate the beautiful revealing of you with every breath you are gifted? Take your place on your podium, my beautiful friends, and shine on! Embrace the mess, the falling away, the process, and  know you are priceless and precious right now exactly as you are🌟🙌💖

LOVE BIG. LAUGH LOUD. HUG HARD. WRITE ON.