Unapologetic Thoughts

Have you ever heard the story of the elephant and the blind men? If you haven’t, let me give you some context. There was a group of blind men who were asked to describe an elephant based on the limited amount of information they had, meaning on which part of its body they were touching. The first one said the elephant was thin and long like a rope, another one that it was rough and thick like a tree, yet another one said it was thin and wide like a blanket. Moral of the story, every single one of them was right, but none of them had the whole picture. 

When I think of Denisse I feel like these men; there are so many sides to her, that it is almost impossible to fathom that we are talking about the same person. Nevertheless, she manages to blend them altogether in a perfect balance. This article exposes the many sides of Denisse that make her unique, and I promise that by the end of it, you will not look at her the same. 

I’ll start by describing the side of her that most of you know; those outer layers that are obvious and present on a daily basis. This is the side of her that is out for the whole world to see,  we’ll call it the ‘Conspicuous Denisse’.

• She is and always has been a leader. In school, at home, and at work she instantly takes the lead. She was born to boss people around…Sorry! I mean, to drive them growth and improvement. People follow her, admire her, and trust her naturally; and she doesn’t take this responsibility lightly, she is constantly finding ways to improve and become a better leader. Remember how in High School we were told to pick a major/career based on our talents and interests? I think Denisse nailed it. She not only found what she is good at, but also what she enjoys. 

• She has always been a confident girl, but in the past few years she truly has become a confident woman. You know those people that no matter how many problems at work, or fires at home they have, they somehow manage to always keep it together? She is one of those people. Regardless of how busy, stressed, or upset she is, she is always putting her best foot forward. And it has nothing to do with pretending to be something or someone you are not. It is about owning who you are, at whatever stage you are in life. You know your limitations, you own them, and you strive to be better. That is Denisse, absolutely comfortable and unapologetic with who she is. Always irradiating confidence, strength, and power.

• One of my favorite traits of Denisse is her lack of filtering; she will tell you what she thinks, when she thinks of it. I love it! It sure can be inconvenient, but trust me it is way more amusing than it is problematic. I am not sure if this is something inherited, or something she developed (as an introvert, I sure wish it is the later, so there is still hope for me to get the hang of it). She has very strong opinions about many things, and she enjoys discussions on topics in which she is invested. One thing is for sure, she is as opinionated as she is stubborn. She will defend her opinion until she is the last woman standing– she will be the last woman standing. I also love how much of herself she puts in whatever she does, especially things that really matter to her.  

• As friends go, she is an exceptional one; in my book, a dependable friend is an exceptional friend. She is the kind of person that will be there for you (extra points if you read it with the FRIENDS tone) at any time, place, or situation. One phone call is enough, literally, just one phone call — she prides herself in always picking up any phone call. Full disclosure, if you are looking for hugs and cuddles, go somewhere else. As I mentioned before Denisse has no filter, so if she thinks you are in the wrong, she will tell you that to your face. She will give you the best advice you can get, but in her very own honest-to-death way. If you are ready to hear some hard truths, there is no better place to go.

Now my favorite part, the ‘Concealed Denisse’, the side of her that only those close to her know, appreciate, and most of all… enjoy. I like this side so much because it is unexpected, raw, and hilarious. If you have seen this side, you are one lucky duck; if you haven’t, you sure are missing out on a lot! 

• What does a pinata, a sour-patch and Denisse have in common? I’ll tell you… they are all hard, tough, and not-so-inviting on the outside… but inside they are sweet, soft, and full of surprises. If I didn’t know her, and saw her in a party, a coffee house, or just down the street, I would see a serious, self-composed, successful woman; I would probably describe her as a determined, go-getter, strict leader. Never in a million years would I describe her as the self-less, goofy, child-like person that she is deep inside. Her nature is kind, pure and sincere; she is the kind of person who genuinely cares about people suffering or in need, about animals, and about choosing right over wrong. She is just that… she is good.

• Another characteristic that may not be as known, is her generosity. She is the kind of person that gives without hesitation, doubt or guilt. Anything she has, she gives; call it her home, food, time, or the most precious of possessions… her last hair tie. One of her many life mottoes is ‘Giving is always better than receiving’, and she sure lives by it. Whatever the motor is for her generous nature, she is nice to have around, especially considering she gets a myriad of cravings a day. Many of which come at the most inconvenient times, and being as stubborn as she is, there is no stopping until said craving is satisfied. The good news? She always shares.

• One of the most surprising characteristics of Denisse is her raw, innocent, unexpected sense of humor. She is a magnet for memes, stickers, and funny youtube videos. She can crack you up with a single well-timed line; make a point with an over the top impression; and bend your will with a funny face. Her sassy, snarky, and witty comebacks are priceless; and baiting her for such comments gives me a whole other reason to live. Watching her have entire conversations with herself is hysterical. What makes it all more admirable is that she doesn’t even try to be funny, it just comes natural. 

• She reminds me of the energizer bunny — a restless, energy-filled, wide-smiled blur of pink. She is always happy, and I mean ALWAYS; therefore, when she is around, there is no shortage of dancing, singing, giggling, and yes, and let’s say it… people begging her to stop. Her inability to hold a grudge makes her like a child, and just like one, she somehow manages to make you smile, no matter how upset, busy, or stressed out you are. Her energy storage is never ending, so when she puts her mind into something, there is literally no stopping her. Did I mention she is determined and resilient? Well, when you add limitless amounts of energy, you get a force of nature. 

I pride myself in knowing this incredibly talented, self-driven, successful woman. Being able to see first hand all her hard work, along with the well deserved accomplishment can only get better. I especially enjoy seeing her become more and more comfortable with her place in this world, and own it like nobody else’s business. However, the absolute best part of knowing her is to see the clash of her both sides; seeing them come together in a wonderful, quirky, balanced blend of soft and strong. I cannot wait to see the many other sides of her that time will bring.

Her love for life, learning, and self-improvement is contagious. One cannot help to feel revitalized, and with a new perspective in life when she is around. Let’s not forget that she remains human with flaws, imperfections, and shortcomings; however, after knowing her deeper layers you will agree with me that her friendship is worth treasuring. As someone who has had the privilege of knowing Denisse for as many years as I have, I can sincerely say that my life wouldn’t be the same without her. She has influenced my life, and the lives of everyone around her. The world is truly a better place with her in it.