We all have numbers in our heads that defined us from time to time. Perhaps it was a phone number or the place we finished in a road race. Perhaps it's our age or our weight. Other times it may be our height that works for or against us. Numbers surround us and can have a powerful impact.

I was once defined by many numbers. I'm sure it didn't start out that way. The numbers somehow found me and they made me feel badly about myself. They got into my head and played mind games with me. In many cases they won...for awhile. There are a few numbers I will always remember.

7...the age I was when my last grandparent passed away. 
10...my age when I spent my second year in 4th grade. 
11...how old I was when my dad passed away. 
262 out of 266...my high school class rank. 
3...the number of community colleges I attended before I woke up and was ready to do the work.

Out of all of my defining numbers, 262 was by far the most defeating. I had friends who were in the top ten and had full rides to the colleges of their choice. Some of them did the work to get there and others had it all come naturally. For years after graduation I kept the number in my head. It prevented me from moving forward or taking risks. I worried that everything I did would end badly.

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