AléGryan's Flower Life is full of ups and downs. One spends too much time and energy focuses on the negative that he or she cannot see the positive. I learned this valuable lesson myself. I realize the chaos follows when one wanders aimlessly through life. I am building my future using my flower. My flower has a stem, six petals, and a core. My flower is centered on my past, present and future. It is based on knowledge, values, people, location, working conditions, and salary. Each petal represents my goals based on my experiences. My flower grows as I grow. My flower is a road map of where I came from and where I plan to go. It is my past, present, and future. I cannot reach for the stars without recognizing my past and present. For me, my past and present are the beginnings of who I am. I am thirty years old, an African-American, female who is also a soon to be single mother. All of the labels that describe me are considered a roadblock in life. However, I see them as stepping stones toward my goals. I know the value of hard work because I saw my mother achieve it. She was a single mother who worked hard and finished college with me in a stroller. I never realized the sacrifice she made until recently. She did not let labels hold her back and neither will I. My mother is part of the stem on my flower. For without her story, I would not have a story. It is easy to take the safe path and just hope for the best without putting forth any effort. My mom did not do this and I am here because of her choices. As a teenager, I never realize this. I always felt that I was obligated to get whatever I wanted. Knowledge comes with time, but one must be willing to see it. Simple things can be great revelations. Education was always something for the other person since I was tired of school after high school. Instead of college, I elected to