Epitome

I was strength. I was courage. I was ambitious. I was shy. I was six.

It's ironic how certain words come to define us.   Whether we like it or not.  Boisterous, smart, pleasing, shy, persistent, popular, trouble-maker, outgoing.  These words are usually given to us by well meaning adults either as a compliment or criticism. But, before we're even old enough to understand what they mean they become stuck to us.  Like glue.  

One small blip in our characters that happened to be noticed by an older on-looker and spoken aloud, whether in the form of a compliment or a criticism, and you have your word.  And for better or for worse that word follows you around.  Like a damn puppy, licking at your perception of self.