What defines me?

This year is my last year as a high school student. Consequently, this year of freedom and excitement comes with college application forms and exams. Speaking of application forms, the Ateneo de Manila application form requires an essay answering the question: 'What defines me?'

At first, I thought it was a really stupid question. I was thinking, "Wouldn't it be better to ask a question like, 'what is the meaning of life' or 'what would you do with great knowledge and power'?" Then, the more I thought about the question, the more I appreciated it. It seemed to make me think about what I had done in the past; what good and bad deeds I did; the things I let happen; other instances that I regret. Is this review of conscience what the big guys of the school board intended? Maybe...

So what does define me as a person?

I wanted to be a bit philosophical and look cool by saying, "Every single day defines me as person. Humans are beings of evolution and thus, change. Every person I encounter; Every move I make; Every decision I decide; Every drop of rain that falls on my head transforms me into something better." Although what I just said is very true, it's obvious that I'm just making something up because I don't have any life-changing moments that I can share. I've search deep into my memory of something that changed me as a person but they're either so boring that I they'll bore myself to death or they just don't fit the situation.

Life is a mystery. Even if we do change and improve our skills and talents to the point of perfection, some miraculous event would occur and beat that cockiness out of us. It happens to all of us. So, what defines a person then if we can't reach perfection? What can be your one single trait that will only belong to you, ergo defines you? It makes my head hurt just thing about it @_@

In the end, all that matters is love. I heard that or maybe read that somewhere; I forget. All that matters is love. So maybe that's the answer. Love