The amount factors that influence a person’s upbringing are uncountable. Arguably, the younger a child is the more prone to influence they are. At a young age, what one learns and the environment in which they learn it will shape their work ethic and willingness to learn for all the years to come. Fortunately for me all of years of reaching maturity were exceptionally positive. In this paper I will attempt to outline the major aspects of my development and how these have shaped my values. I grew up in the Alpharetta/Roswell area (just outside of Atlanta), a sparsely populated yet relatively prosperous town then, now it is a very wealthy and densely populated city. Today it is, per capita, the wealthiest area in Atlanta. This change has led me to recognize and value growth and progress. I had a fortunate upbringing and I expect my future to be no less prosperous, and if it holds anything less for me I would consider my self a failure. I have become so accustomed to living with nice things in an affluent area, and anything less just would not feel right. From the time I was born to when I first went to school I lived in the same area and in the same house. It is hard to say how this has affected me, but I am well aware that changing location repeatedly can have a negative effect on a child. The house I lived in was relatively nice. It was a common middle-class home; not big but by no means was it small. The house we moved in to in 1994 was larger and in a much nicer neighborhood. Both neighborhoods I lived in were very nice and, in the future, I could not see myself living in anything less suitable. Although it can be hard to remember, I did not have any major family problems in my pre-school years; no deaths in the family, divorce, or anything else equally detrimental. Obviously most people would consider this a very good thing. It has made me a