"Cause this is not about what you've done, but what's been done for you. This is not about where you've been, but where your brokenness leads you to. This is not about what you feel, but what he felt to forgive you and what you felt to make you loved. You are more than the choices that you make. You are more than the sum of your past mistakes. You are more than the problems you create. You've been remade." - Tenth Avenue North

So many times, people define us by our decisions, the mistakes we make or simply the way we look. But, contrary to popular belief, you are not just characterized by those things. You are so much more.

1. You are more than your mistakes.

You are made up of so much more than the sum of your past mistakes or future mishaps. You don't have to be defined by those moments. Rather, let yourself be known by the good you do and the happiness you bring about.

2. You are more than the number on the scale.

Your worth is not defined by how much you weigh or what size pants you wear. May you be a size 2 or a size 20, you are beautiful. Be confident in who you are and don't let the world tell you who you should be.

3. You are more than the grades you made in high school.

While they always said that grades were important to get into a good college, those grades don't define you for the rest of your life. Your character is not based upon receiving straight As or straight Cs.

4. You are more than your relationship status.

If you're single, be happy. If you're in a relationship, be happy. You don't have to be with someone to be who are you, and you don't have to be single to be who you are. As long as you're happy, the rest doesn't matter.

5. You are more than your mental illness.

Depression, bipolar disorder or any other variety of mental illness is not who you are. It is a part of you, but it's not the whole. It helps make who you are. However, your entire being is not based off of different thoughts or feelings. Be you and don't let anyone make you feel inferior.

6. You are more than your career choices.

Your character is not defined by working at McDonald's or as a neurosurgeon. Be kind, caring, compassionate and respectful and where you work won't matter. Your career choices don't portray your inner self, nor will they ever.

7. You are more than the amount of money you make.

Yes, money can be a wonderful thing, but it can also be a curse. The amount of money you make doesn't qualify you as a "bad" person or a "good" person. It's just an amount of paper, not an amount of character.

8. You are more than the number of friends you have.

Would you rather have lots of friends that only talk to you when they need something or a couple friends that are always there for you? Personally, I'll take the latter. Pressure to be popular and have a lot of friends has always been around. Your true characteristics will always shine through, regardless of the number of people around you. It doesn't take a lot of friends to be a respectful and compassionate person.

9. You are more than your college choice.

Go to community college. Go to a big university. Go to technical school or don't go to college at all. Do what makes you happy. Your secondary school choices have no bearing on the type of person you are or the success you will have. Hard work and perseverance are what get you through in the end.

10. You are more than your childhood.

What happened in your childhood helped make you who you are, but it doesn't have to define who you become. You are more than the events that happened. You can break the cycle, but only if you want to. Make your own future and create your own path. Don't let past situations define who you will become.

11. You are more than your outer appearance.

Brunette, blonde, short, tall, blue eyes, green eyes. Whatever you look like, you're beautiful. Once again, don't let society tell you who you should be. Don't let anyone else tell you what you should look like or what the "perfect" image is. You are perfect exactly the way you are. Be confident and don't change for anyone.

You are more!