For the longest time I never really knew how small minded I really was. I let the environment around me cast a shadow over the culture that I was born into. The culture that made me and shaped me. I grew up and I grew out. I faded from what was real. And All this time I thought I was actually being real. Being myself. But I was just becoming a reflection of the new environment I was in. Was it to become accepted? Was I just to naïve to realize it? Or was it on purpose?

The change was real and evident. I found myself defending the opposition. Going against the very culture that made me. It's funny how life works. Of course, I want to grow, and expand, and experience new things, but to what end? When do I began to mix reality with what's real for me personally? Reality in the sense of the current everyday I'm life I'm living. What's real meaning what's in my heart, and the roots from which I come from.

No way do I wish to stop expanding and growing. No way do I want to stop learning and putting myself in positions that will elevate me. But I also shouldn’t stray away from what's real while still trying to conquer my everyday reality.

Not realizing it, but being birth from this culture, this vibrant generation, is probably the biggest blessing in my life. Facing all the hatred that life can bring, while also being the seed in which majority of the creativity in the world stems from, is something to take pride in. The struggle that comes with it is something of great notice, but the reward is one of a kind.

It's easy to focus the attention on all the negativity that's constantly being displayed. I can't say my heart doesn't break from time to time, or mentally I become defeated. However, I also look and see the beauty that this culture of mine has created and all I can be is thankful. Thankful that my life has been structured in this very form. Thankful of the strong, spiritual, and humbling upbringing that I have had thus far. Thankful because of the countless accomplishments I see from my people that are birth from the same culture.

Forever giving praise because this culture is forever inspiring, and forever growing, and changing the world, and I am grateful to be a product of such a beautiful thing.