In our world today, there are many people still residing in places that would be considered below the standard of living, or in other words, below the poverty line. Even in the "greatest country" in the world, the United States of America, we have communities that look as if they were hit by a small, dirty bomb and left for dead.

Growing up in these areas can harden the hearts of the residents and sometimes create an alternate perspective from a point of desperation. Seeing the "American Dream" being lived out by others can cause some people to become envious. On the other hand, some use it as motivation to get out of their harsh conditions. Many of my personal friends have been great examples of overcoming the mountain full of obstacles stacked against them. They all had different paths to get to a better place in life, but they also all had a similar quality to get there: faith.

Faith can lead you further than any man-made vehicle. It can help you create a masterpiece from a mere thought because you had that much belief in your dreams and aspirations. This world would give you a hard time, especially coming from the hood, but it also gives you a slight advantage. The streets give you a different type of knowledge and intuition that can be balanced with the general and special knowledge you can obtain in the workforce or a place of higher education.

With all that said, you can have an IQ on the same level of Einstein, but if you don't have self-motivation and some hustle, you will not be able to defy the odds. Those that are complacent will rarely reach the greatness in themselves and see their ideas come into fruition, but the ones who survive the trials and tribulations and follow their dreams relentlessly will always prevail. The competitive spirit the hood teaches you can help propel you forward because it is a competitive world. The ones who usually do the work diligently have the vision and an undying internal fire within. They can rise above the impoverished communities they come from and inspire their peers while doing so, ultimately helping America become a much better and equal place.