The great Christina Yang of "Grey's Anatomy" once said, "Oh, screw beautiful. I'm brilliant. If you want to appease me, compliment my brain." Personally, I think she was on to something.

I've never been the Barbie Doll type. I was always the awkward friend growing up, and I never really felt "beautiful" until the day I accepted myself for who I am. But the funny thing about beauty is that it is so much more than skin deep. It used to bother me that I was never the girl a guy would go up to and say, "Hey, gorgeous," or "You're so sexy," but not anymore.

I may never be a Victoria's Secret model, but I like to believe that my beauty shines from the inside. When you accept yourself, all of yourself, you realize that you are truly beautiful inside and out. There is so much more to a person than their looks and, more often than not, those are the things that make them beautiful. Besides, I'd rather be soul food than eye-candy any day.

Because of that, here's 15 things I'd rather be called than pretty:

1. Kind

Some people see kindness as weakness, but they are wrong. It takes a great strength to be kind to those who may not deserve it. To put aside the wrongs someone may have done to you and continue to give to them. I pride myself on being kind to a fault because, at the end of the day, I'm a better person for it.

2. Flawed

I used to want to be perfect. Hell, I still obsess over my perfectionism from time to time, but I've also learned to accept my flaws. It is our flaws that make us who we are. Our physical flaws make us unique, our personal flaws help us learn. There is so much to be said for the things that set us apart from others. A girl who can accept her own flaws will surely be open to accepting yours.

3. Messy

I don't want to have it all together all of the time. I want to wake up late and rush to get to work on time. I want to leave the house without make-up on in gym shorts and a hoodie because I couldn't be bothered to put on a proper outfit for the day. Sometimes, I just want to be low-maintenance and that's okay. Besides, Barbie Dolls are exhausting to be around.

4. Open-Minded

I want to accept others, their thoughts, feelings, and ideas with an open mind. I don't want to pass quick judgments. I want to be open to trying new things and experiencing life without being fearful or prejudiced. I want to remain open to learning and reinventing myself.

5. Brilliant

I want to be innovative and creative. I want to be top of the class and the best of the best. I want others to come to me when they have a problem, to help them solve whatever comes their way. I want to exercise my mind and have conversations about important topics over a glass of wine. Intelligence is sexy, I don't care what you say.

6. Wild

I want to be a wild soul. I want to play my music too loud and be the life of the party. I want to seek adventure and never say "no" to a challenge. I want to let my soul grow and expand and inspire others to do the same. I want to have fun and be fun. I want my soul to be as attractive as any other part of me.

7. Hardworking

I want to know that I have earned everything I have with my own blood, sweat, and tears. I strive to be self-sufficient and to know that I can make it on my own. A girl who isn't afraid to roll up her sleeves and get a little dirty is a catch as far as I'm concerned.

8. Strong

I don't want to fear the challenges life throws my way. I want people to look at me and see strength and perseverance. I want to prove that even when I get knocked down, I know how to get right back up again. Strong women are beautiful in their own right.

9. Funny

I like to laugh, and I want to make others laugh. What is life without laughter?

10. Independent

The reward of being hardworking. I want to know that the people in my life are there because I want them there, not because I need them. Besides, what's sexier than a woman who can handle her own shit?

11. Dynamic

There is so much more to me than my face, my figure, my hair, my outer appearance. I want to surprise you, to keep you guessing. I don't want to be boring or stuck in a rut, I want to keep growing and learning and living. A dynamic girl will never be boring.

12. Brave

Brave doesn't mean never being afraid. I want to be the kind of brave where I can face my fears, even when I'm terrified. I will always have fear to some extent, but I will never let that fear own me. A brave girl is going to tackle life head-on.

13. Compassionate

I want to be the girl with the big heart. The girl who falls hard and fast and loves with everything she has. I want to feel for others and be the one they know they can count on when things get tough. I want to be the best friend, girlfriend, family member, I can be.

14. Creative

I want to hear music where others hear only silence. I want to see colors where other see gray. I want to write words that mean something to someone and let my voice be heard. I was blessed with a creative soul and I want to use and share it with others.

15. Exuberant

I want to love life. To know that things may not always be perfect, but that life is always worth living. I want to be crazy, uninhibited, and full of life. I want to take everything this world has to offer me and make the best of it. I only get one life and I want to live it to the fullest.