"Truly accepting yourself as you exist today, at this very moment, is one of the greatest acts of love and courage on the planet. Once you've done that, you can extend that acceptance to others as a gift that can be treasured for life! The giant exhalation, sigh of relief, lowering of shoulders, relaxing of gut and freeing of mind that comes with knowing, hey, I'm not a perfect person, but that's OK. Knowing you dont have to "ARRIVE" to be loved. It's OK to still be on the journey, tripping over the occasional stone. Accepting yourself is an act of empowerment as well. When you can let go of all the "shoulds" and "not good enoughs" that clutter up your life, you'll feel strong and healthy. Striving to live up to someone else's expectation is more exausting than chasing after septuplets! The moment you say to yourself 'I'm OK as is, not perfect, not without goals, but OK, the moment you really own that feeling, is the first moment you'll feel the high that comes with loving your ordinary, flawed, distinctive, caring, giving, taking, seeking, hiding, CONFLICTED self. This acceptance forms the solid foundation necessary to love and accept others. ...Right now, decide that you will accept yourself (perceived warts included) and will reject the tired old notion that you somehow have to fix yourself to be acceptable. ...Each time you hear an inner critical voice, replace it with a loving one. ...Note your successes. ...Surround your self with positive people. ...If someone has an issue they want to work out with you, they have every right to tell you how they feel - they don't have the right to tell you how you should be."
FROM THE DR. JOY BROWNE NEWSLETTER 2/98.