Can you imagine emerging from a shack to become whatever you have a dream and a passion for? The shack is my symbol of triumph. For me, it was possible to emerge from a place like this and follow my dream of becoming a lawyer and then a judge. Through the God-given power of perseverance, we can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles through hard work, grit, and the power of faith. The journey makes us stronger. Utilize your gifts and talents and get to the next step in reaching your dreams. Believe in yourself and surround yourself with people who believe in you to accomplish your goals. Allow this book to serve as your inspiration for moving your journey forward. Let its lessons and words inspire you to believe and achieve. Author, Myriam Irizarry, is a lawyer, College Adjunct instructor, and retired Judge. She was raised by a single mom with seven siblings. She was born into poverty, but her strong Puerto Rican mother would not allow poverty to define who they were as a family and worked fiercely to create a bright future for each of her children. Despite the dire circumstances of living in a shack without electricity or running water in the tenement slums of New York City, Myriam emerged as a strong leader of her community and achieved the American dream. She now shares her story to inspire others to believe that it is possible to overcome anything that might hold us back through our God-given power of perseverance.