It all started to make sense when my mentor said, "You weren't born with fear, you were taught fear." I guess I can say it was an, ah ha moment. This thing that has haunted me for my whole life, I finally understood that it wasn't meant to be mine. So I want to give it back!

But if I wasn't born with it, why would you teach it to me? Better yet, maybe I should be asking, what was I born with?

If we are taught all of these things in life, how do we know what is true, and what isn't?

I grew up the youngest of three, the only boy, but definitely not spoiled. Early in my childhood growing up in Jamaica my life was scarred by domestic violence. Fearing for our lives, my mother, sisters and I fled to America. I never saw my father again. Ten years later he died as a result of cancer. When I found out he was dying, I told myself, I must forgive him first within myself, before I can start a new chapter in my life.

Now a boy growing up in New York, angry and afraid I would have to learn how to survive in a world with three strikes already against me.
Strike 1. I was a minority
Strike 2. I lived in a single-family home with little money
Strike 3. I had all of the excuses in the world to prove why I should fail.
The choice becomes yours especially when the odds are stacked against you. Give up or come back stronger.

The one thing my mother did for me early in my life was she made me go to church. I didn't understand it at first, but it made more of an impact on my life than I could ever imagine. I'm not perfect, and I have made many stupid choices in life, and still until this day continue to make some. The only difference is I've learned the lessons that they were trying to teach me, and give thanks to the One who allowed me to survive them.
About the Author: b>Damean Adams As a former United States Marine, Damean's life has had many ups and downs, with them all he has learned many lessons. These lessons have allowed him to become a success in life, and now he wants to share them with the world.

He is the youngest of three, grew up in the city of Mt. Vernon NY, in a home without a father to teach a boy to be a man. He learned things the hard way. Understanding early that the choices you make now will determine the man you become in the future.

After high school, he took a path that transformed him forever. He became one of the few, the proud, a United States Marine. The lessons, leadership, training and discipline made him a success in one of the most elite military forces in the world.

Damean is also the Producer, and host of "Cooking with Inspiration" a cooking show that shows people how food has purpose, and can teach you lessons in life.