What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word "Princess"? Does it conjure up an image of a girl with a tiara who has to have everything her way? That is the image we have created of being a princess as we become adults. Let's take a trip down memory lane, back to when you were too young to yet have the world and society influence your definition of the word "princess". To you at that innocent age, a princess meant something different. It was someone who was the epitome of kindness and compassion. Even as a young child, you knew someone with true character when you saw it. You recognized it in every princess you came in contact with. To you, the princess was more than just a girl who put on a fancy tiara and a beautiful ball gown. A princess has to have character. What makes a princess?

1. Kindness and Compassion

Just look at any Disney princess. They all have some form of kindness and compassion.

2. Selfless

You can't be a true princess and be selfish. True princesses will think of others before themselves.

3. Control of Emotions

Simply put, you cannot be a princess and not have control of your emotions. True princesses never let their emotions get the best of them, even if someone has offended them.

4. Refined

Being a princess requires you to be refined. Princesses are the epitome of refinement.

5. Courage

A true princess doesn't give up when life gets hard. When life gives them lemons, they make lemonade. They have the courage to stand up for what they know to be true. They have the courage to turn the other cheek when someone offends them.

6. Beauty

True princesses are beautiful inside and out. A pretty face does nothing if there is an ugly personality. Genuine princesses realize and recognize that truth.

7. Educated

In order to be a princess, education is essential. Princesses take every opportunity to learn. They don't limit themselves to math and science.

8. Dare to Dream

Real princesses have goals and dreams that they chase no matter what the world tells them that the limits. To them, limits don't exist. They don't let a bump in the road get them down. If they trip, they get right back up. They use failure as a reason to try harder.

Far too often, we let the world skew our view of princesses. The world wants to tell us that we cannot all be princesses. The truth is out. We can all be true princesses if we all want to be, even if we don't have an elegant tiara and ball gown.