“By accepting yourself and being fully what you are, your presence can make others happy.” ~Jane Roberts
I suspect we all want permission to be exactly who we are—to accept ourselves instead of feeling unsure of ourselves, and then somehow find a balance between being and improving.
When we see someone else who appears to do that, despite their weaknesses and flaws, it’s immensely inspiring and gratifying. Why? Because we all want to believe that even if we can be better, there’s nothing wrong with being exactly who we are.
Yet only we can give that feeling to ourselves. No one else can validate us, support us, love us, inspire us, or motivate us to believe that we are enough. If we can find that magical feeling of being okay with being, we can give so much to the world around us, whether we realize it or not, because everyone wants to let themselves relax and simply be.
Today if you question yourself, doubt yourself, or otherwise feel down on yourself, remember: everyone does, but the moment when one of us finds the courage to stand strong, it has a ripple effect on everyone else. The question remains: which ones of us will be brave enough to love who we are today?
Photo by Eddi van W
About Lori Deschene
Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others to do the same. You can find her books, including Tiny Buddha’s Gratitude Journal and Tiny Buddha’s Worry Journal, here and learn more about her eCourse, Recreate Your Life Story, if you’re ready to transform your life and become the person you want to be.
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Though I run this site, it is not mine. It's ours. It's not about me. It's about us. Your stories and your wisdom are just as meaningful as mine. 
In answer to your question – I will be brave! Thank you for such a true and inspiring piece! Love it!
Thank you. Something I’ve been working on. Being who I currently am, while still wanting to improve, but finding that balance between the 2 and being happy in that current state.
It is hard to be who you really are if society won’t accept you. It is one thing to accept yourself but quite another to be open about it. It is getting easier here, but it can still cost you your life. I know too many people who are still staying in the closet so to speak. Maybe in a few years or so. But we can love who we are and not show it. That puts us in a double blind though. In some countries, you can still face execution. Many of our relatives are certainly not going to love us for who we really are.
This reminded me of a saying from Paulo Coelho, “every time you judge yourself, you hurt yourself”
Thanks for an inspiring piece 🙂
I think that this is so true. Once you give into doubt and insecurity it is a slippery slope.
Fantastic Fiona–thanks for reading and commenting! =)
Well that’s a whole new level of struggle I didn’t consider in writing this post. I can only imagine how difficult it is to love yourself in a country where you’re oppressed. I know I’ve hurt myself immeasurably throughout my life by refusing to accept who I am. Though I learned it from cruelty and intolerance, I’m sure it was minimal compared to what you’re talking about. I’ve never feared for my life, even if it at times I felt threatened and scared. My heart goes out to anyone who has to contend with that type of treatment.
I remember when I was younger reading The Diary of Anne Frank. Her words have been amazingly inspiring through the years, and also Victor Frankl’s in Man’s Search for Meaning. It’s these types of stories that remind me the human spirit is amazingly resilient. Sometimes survival requires hiding or suffering. While I can’t fully relate to what you talked about, I can say I have immense respect for anyone who finds the equanimity to endure such challenging circumstances and come out with their self love in tact.
I know that challenge, well. It’s an interesting balance, but I know I feel at peace when I accept that I’m imperfect, I can continually improve throughout my life, but regardless I can love myself exactly as I am at each step of the way.
So true. Thank you for reading and commenting!
[…] more about her on lorideschene.com or on Twitter @lori_deschene. You can find the original post on http://dev.tinybuddha.com/quotes/tiny-wisdom-on-being-fully-what-you-are/ : Uncategorized : Lori Deschene, talks about being fully what we are., The Founder of Tiny […]
T you for that piece of inspiration….And yes…It is difficult to stand strong and say I AM!!
You are most welcome!