I remember being seven years old and feeling like I didn't belong. I suffered massive trauma at age four and was bullied from first through fourth grade, so much so that I believed every word spewed at me. I was diagnosed with dyslexia at age eight and had my first suicidal thought at age 9. 

Since my brother and sister were adults by the time I was born, I grew up an only child, and my mom worked two jobs to support us. When the bullying got too much for me, my mom sent me to live with my sister in Houston, TX. I spent my entire 5th-grade year with my nephew, three years younger, and my sister. She taught me how to fight and helped me get fit. That year I grew 4 inches and lost all my baby fat. That was the year my mentality changed. 

I entered 6th grade with a chip on my shoulder, newfound confidence that gave me a sense of false security. Anytime anyone even looked at me the wrong way, I was ready to fight. I am not proud, but I fought so much in junior high school I made a name for myself. My 7th-grade English teacher gave me a journal one day and told me to write instead of fight. She knew how much I struggled with expressing my emotions with verbal communication. She taught me the power of words; if used correctly, they could set me free. I took that journal that day and haven't stopped writing since. 

Entering high school, the chip on my shoulder subsided, but not entirely. At the end of my junior year in high school, I finally started to see my value and understand my worth. Even though my mom and a few others would tell me how beautiful I was, when I met the love of my life as a senior in high school, it was through his eyes I saw my beauty. God allowed me to see myself for the first time in my life.  

As the years progressed, my Faith grew more robust, and my love for God, my family, my friends, and I grew more profound. 

I learned to move with purpose, improve my way of thinking, navigate my past to improve my present, and prepare for my future. I have also learned, and am still learning how to deny what doesn't fit. I am getting better at minding my soul...