Have you ever noticed how we warm to people more and more the longer we spend in their company? What started out as a mild interest, probably based on our finding them physically attractive, can soon turn into a much deeper and more genuine attraction as we start appreciating their real beauty and charm.
What we’re actually responding to is that person’s inner beauty – and one of the main facets of inner beauty is self-acceptance.
Although they are related concepts, self-acceptance is not the same as self-esteem. Self-esteem is how worthwhile or valuable we see ourselves, as is based largely on how much of ourselves we like and perceive as being “good.” Self-acceptance, on the other hand, is when we embrace all aspects of ourselves – the good and the bad – recognising our limitations and weaknesses but accepting ourselves unconditionally all the same.
There is ancient Japanese convention of respecting all things, including those that are old, damaged or imperfect in other ways. Take, for example, a valued vase, which, even though it might be old and cracked, is still placed on a pedestal under a spotlight in a Japanese museum. Self-acceptance comes when we value our own cracks and imperfections in the same way.
True self-acceptance is making a conscious decision to like who you are right now. To live in the moment and enjoy it. You are not perfect, but that’s okay because no one is.
“Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.”
Marilyn Monroe
Self-acceptance is not something we can acquire. It’s an attitude we have to cultivate. We usually have no problem being self-critical, so we have to work hard and practice being self-accepting instead. The more we practice, the more it will be become a habit.
Be satisfied being you. You are enough. And you’re beautiful.