We had the good fortune of connecting with Daniel Garza and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Daniel, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
The answer to these question may just be the root of how I live life intentionally. And with grace. I feel what MAKES me happy is my own perception of what life is about, which is DECIDING to BE happy even when the circumstances outside of me don’t seem to favor that choice. But with simply BEING alive another day, gives me reason enough to CHOOSE happiness.
Why decide to BE happy?Well. Why not? The opposite of being happy is to be sad.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m just another beautiful hard working soul continuously proving that good people WITHOUT hidden agendas STILL exist in this world. By transmuting all that dark, hurtful pain inside me caused by my past, I have INTENTIONALLY created healing art in the form of poetry in motion. Also known as Rapping. Pretty much like every artist out there that was/is SERIOUS about their [he]ARTWORK, I just one day DECIDED to take the way I express myself, mainly my pain, a step further. A level up if you will.
While writing some poems for a book I self-published, I found myself putting these tracks together as well. At the moment I hadn’t given thought to ACTUALLY performing/recording the songs myself but I convinced myself to NOT doubt myself after @kidkenzi told me that with enough practice and persistence I could master the art of flow. And master it I did.
Armed with an unmatchable drive to get it done, I dove deep into myself to pull out the will power needed to find my niche. To find my OWN unique way of rapping to tell my ‘story’. Starting with the first track I wrote, “Troublemaker”(which I already performed live and a ccapella in 2019) I practiced diligently and found out that I am actually WAAY better at it than I had ever imagined. And that is safe to say because I can rap to no beat my 20+ tracks. Each one with its own authentic rhythm and flow.
Nothing in life WORTH having is EASY to come by but it is WORTH all IT takes to get it. In reality the ONLY challenge[s} to overcome is the MINDSET we have at the moment to handle what is put in our path. Every problem has a solution, if not it isn’t a problem to begin with.
The main lesson that I have learned and applied is that EVERYTHING is happening in divine timing. That I must have the Faith to Trust in our Creator just as much as in myself.
I would like the world to know that I choose to be me because I make the conscious decisions that lead me to take the necessary steps(only one at a time can be taken) to accomplish the matter at hand, which is not just to live life fully but HAVE A LOVE FOR IT.
I am ready to be held accountable and responsible for the actions of others’ but only due to the actions of MYSELF. And that’s why through my heARTwork is how I fully express the positive changes I have made because I KNOW THE IMPACT IT WILL MAKE. On purpose, With purpose.
These Scars And My Smile

These scars show how I would again walk through fire to save my LIFE!
Because my smile reminds me that they are better to bare than to bare another moment full of inner STRIFE.

These scars carry the memory of what it takes to oneself SAVE.
While my smile reminds me of what it is to be BRAVE.

These scars will have them calling me ugly by the ones who lit the fire and forced me into the PIT.
But my smile will push and pull me to on me and Life never QUIT.

These scars and my smile don’t seem like two things that ought to go hand in HAND.
But there is as MUCH beauty within ALL of me as there is in a grain of SAND.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Houston is a very diverse area and has MANY hot spots in and around the city. Being that I am plant-based, I can ONLY recommend vegan restaurants; Veegos, Korny-Vibes, Pythagoras Pizza, Voo-Doo Donuts and Toot Suite for desserts and sweets. And well my friend[s] will just have to enjoy OUR home-cooked meals as that is what we do on the daily.
The view of downtown and walk along the Buffalo Bayou is great at the Eleanor Tinsley Park right by downtown Houston. The Memorial Hermann Park has a few spots to enjoy the beauty of nature.
There are some great places to go to to enjoy local talent at many open mics and different venues that feature various themes daily. Avant-Garden in mid-town is one I have frequented.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My main shoutout goes out to my dear wife as she has supported most if not ALL of my changes and because she ALSO has gone through the same evolutionary process[es] which has caused for US to grow TOGETHER. Then there are my children who show me unconditional love and encouragement. There is also credit for @kidkenzi for NOT having agreed to rap my songs for me. And lastly to those who doubt themselves as they have intended to project that doubt onto me which in turn I have used as fuel to continue surpassing my worst self every day. On purpose, with purpose. One Love.

Website: www.linktr.ee/dgarza

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invites/contact/?i=1kiha4de8i4i&utm_content=9z2ngzc

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIckMny3HAxFUZ7dwax90Aw

Other: Spotify – https://shoutoutcolorado.com/meet-daniel-garza-artist/ and https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ohLOHqMSqm3b4mZqTaSKE

Image Credits
My wife Janette Garza is the professional photographer responsible for the personal photo.

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.