We are a three-part being; body, soul, spirit. For the most part, people only see our body and make determinations and decisions based on it and it alone. That is basically a superficial expression yet it is exactly what everyone bases their opinions and expressions about you on. Oftentimes it is a suggested that we look a certain way, dress a certain way, even talk a certain way. That is based purely on an external accident that we had no control over. My life began with that superficiality permeated throughout. This book is not about bitterness or frustration, rather a revelation of the growth that I've gone through and have been able to attain to make my life an experience that I both enjoy and want to share. It is called Growth, Balance, Shine because those are the three areas that we all should and must engage in. I want to start off with the Avenue of Growth. Growth means that you are getting better and better, that you're maturing, that you are advancing, that you are becoming what you were designed and destined to be. For growth to occur, you must realize that you are seed. A seed must be planted in a dark, dirty and damp place for to be effective and produce after its kind. The truth is no one wants to be alone in a dark, damp or dirty place. It makes us feel uncomfortable, unwanted and unnecessary. The growth that I've experienced, especially as a young girl all throughout school, was traumatic at best. We need to experience growth in all areas in our life; Physically Mentally Spiritually and Emotionally. If any one of those four areas that are out of balance or not in sync it results in a very unhappy and dissatisfying time. We find ourselves hurting, frustrated, lonely and afraid. For me, it began when I went to school. I had a bright birthmark on my right cheek. This obvious and visible mark marked me as an individual for shaming and ridicule. Other girls were mean and very unkind to me. I was consistently bullied throughout my school years and felt it was my fault, that somehow I was attracting the type of harshness and insensitivity that they put on me For a young girl to be bullied at school and not be shown love at home is like the worst of all things. Fortunately for me, I had a grandmother who took a special interest in me and encouraged, motivated and inspired me to be the me that I was designed to be. No one knows what the future holds, especially when you're living in a past that is oppressive and depressing.