I am Woman- Dani Cannon

As she breathes in the scent of pine and fresh rain, she finds the peace she needs to reset her soul. Her strength rivals the enduring mountains around her. Within the thick of the pines and lush earth, she finds refuge, forever grateful for the nearby trees and breathtaking views.

Under the brilliant night skies, the same courageous woman confronts life’s uncertainties, finding hope in the present. Her presence shines with stamina and a determination to live joyfully. Much like the stars she adores, she burns ever brighter in her beauty and strength to continue- always fortified by nature.

Her brown eyes flicker with vibrant vigor as she gazes towards the future. Her unmatched essence anchors the natural beauty that surrounds her, while the canyons echo her message of self-love and the belief in deserving happiness.

Dani is I am Woman, and this is her story…

“I have a passion for authentic connection. What excites me is to be able to sit down and really connect with people.”

Dani often recalls a beloved quote from the esteemed author Brené Brown: “People are hard to hate up close. Move in.” Dani elaborates,

“When you truly get to know people, you just end up loving them. Authentic connection is a driving passion of mine. Being empathetic and compassionate towards others, and finding those who reciprocate, is crucial. If you’re not connecting with people, you’ll eventually feel empty. Conversations don’t always have to be profound, but being there for deeper connections when needed is incredibly important to me.”

Since moving into her current home, Dani has actively pursued these meaningful relationships by embodying the authenticity she seeks in others. Dani gracefully dives into discovering who people truly are and what challenges they are navigating in their lives. While Dani’s focus isn’t on dwelling on the difficult or negative, she deeply values those who can engage authentically, acknowledging real challenges and celebrating how individuals overcome them.

Dani, like every woman, possesses depth and understanding shaped by her life experiences – both the moments of happiness and discouragement. She recognizes the significance of gratitude and the value of being present in the joy of being alive, as she witnesses the beauty of friendships and the discovery of common ground through connections. Dani can also comprehend the emotions associated with perfectionism, anxiety, hopelessness, and depression- which life’s disappointments have made known to her.

Dani is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, and is familiar with the paralyzing impact of sinking into negative thoughts and self-doubt because of continued trauma from these experiences. Dani reminds herself to recognize her self worth, her incredible infinite value, and her deservingness of all the good in the world- attributes she has always possessed and deserved even as a young girl.

Through her own challenges, Dani has discovered the beauty of understanding and relating to others, which fuels her pursuit of authentic connections. She actively seeks support for herself while also striving to extend support to others, ensuring that no one faces life’s experiences alone.

Dani explains,

“I want to sit with others in their struggles, whatever they may be going through. I want to offer support. Understanding more about people’s situations helps me cultivate compassion. I want to show compassion to others.”

Perhaps unknown to those who confide in Dani, she often understands more than she reveals. As she listens, Dani also recognizes the importance of showing compassion towards herself. While it comes naturally for her to empathize with and admire others, she acknowledges the necessity of extending the same grace and compassion to herself.

When Dani practices self-love, she feels compelled to extend her journey of hope to others as well. She explains,

“I want to reach out to other people. I have my own story of hardship and hope, and I’ve been through a lot. Everyone is going through something, and I want to be helpful even in small ways. I want to offer hope to others. When I’m around women of any age, I want them to know they possess immense inner strength, more than they realize. My advice to anyone facing new or ongoing struggles is to seek support. We aren’t meant to face challenges alone. Whether it’s therapy, guidance from a religious leader, or support from a friend, I encourage everyone to seek help. I’m personally a huge advocate for therapy. We all have the capacity for self-love, self-care, and self-compassion, but sometimes we need assistance to access these qualities—qualities that bring relief and peace. It may be challenging to tap into at times, but once we do, we realize it’s real and natural to live in a way that acknowledges our deservingness of self-love.”

Dani’s bright smile and warm demeanor make her incredibly approachable and comforting to be around. She encourages,

“Even though we share commonalities as women, it’s important to embrace our uniqueness. We have the opportunity to develop our own talents and hobbies, purely for our own happiness and joy. We should dedicate time and effort to discovering our uniqueness and nurturing our personal growth.”

With contagious laughter, Dani playfully declares, “I’m hilarious, freaking hilarious!” She loves sharing laughter with others.

Dani finds joy in impromptu singing—even while washing dishes at the kitchen sink, she’ll project her favorite songs simply because it brings her happiness. Dani also finds joy in college football and making authentic Mexican food!

Driven by her own transformative experiences, Dani strives to reach out tirelessly to others and show genuine love and support to everyone, particularly women facing similar challenges.

“Women deserve to feel whole. Believe that healing and wholeness are achievable, regardless of the trials or traumas you have faced. You deserve to experience completeness, hope, and peace… You truly deserve it.”

Dani continues, “If I could live in the forest, I would, because that’s where I feel the light. The forest is incredibly rejuvenating for me. In the mountains, I can immediately focus on mindfulness. When I walk in nature and breathe in the scent of rain and pines, everything feels alright. It’s specifically in the forest where I experience these moments. I consider these still moments as gifts from my heavenly parents. This is how I’ve learned to nurture my soul.‘

‘I’ve always cherished the mountains; being surrounded by them helps silence everything else in my mind that weighs me down, allowing me to simply be grateful for the moment. During these times, I think to myself, ‘We are powerful beings capable of anything we set our minds to.’ Women, in particular, face hardships that men often overlook. Yet, we were created to be powerful beings. We have the potential to be an incredible, unstoppable force.”