“Being who you are is another way of accepting yourself.” –Unknown
(Source: tinybuddha)
I know this saying has proven true for me. To my surprise, the more of myself I shared with others–idiosyncrasies, weirdness’s, and all–the more I’ve actually liked what I’ve seen. It took awhile to get used to it–perhaps I’m an acquired taste even to myself–but I often pleasantly surprise myself with what comes out of each experience I have with my heart and spirit.
Love,
Russ
About russtowne
I'm awed by the beauty of nature and the power of love and gratitude. Some of my favorite sensory experiences include waves crashing on rocky shores, waterways in ancient redwood and fern-filled forests, and rain. My wife and I have been married since 1979. We have 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren. I manage a wealth management firm that I founded in 2003. My Beloved is a Special Education teacher for Kindergartners and First Graders. I'm a published author of approximately 60 books in a variety of genres for grownups and children.
Russ Towne's A Grateful Man 
but knowing who you are, is one of the hardest tasks a person can undertake.
Hi, Bill. Good point. I think it is far easier to do so when one removes the distractions, such as when one meditates, is alone in nature, or works alone. It is when I began being alone for extended periods that I could best begin to hear what my heart and spirit had been whispering to me all along.
Russ
you are a wise man Russ — I would never call you a wise guy 🙂
:-D! Thank you, Bill. Your wisdom shines through too.
Russ
It must be true because I am often called a wise guy 🙂
Well of course you do! You live in the land of Al Capone, doncha?
Russ
you know a friend and I actually rode down to where his old speak-easy was. it’s a restaurant now. 🙂
Cool. I’ve been to the little metal cage he was trapped inside on a forlorn and largely barren rock in the middle of a bay near a vibrant city during most of the last years of his life.
Russ
ha ! the prison on the island that Clint Eastwood escaped from 🙂
Yes, and now he’s hiding in Carmel-by-the-Sea. In between, he changed sides, and became a cop. “Feeling lucky, punk? Well are you? Go ahead! Make my day!” ;-D!
🙂
Thanks for sharing this Russ!
Thank you for taking the time to comment, Kristi!
Russ
The getting to know and understand your self is not that easy.. but the final acceptance is wonderful, you stop all that self analysis…and accept yourself with all the faults
I agree, Bulldog. It has taken me 55 years to get to this point and I still have a long way to go. I’m getting there a lot faster now that I am enjoying much more solitude in my life. For much of my existence solitude meant loneliness. Now it’s one of the richest types of experiences of my life.
Russ
Accepting ourselves as the complete package – flaws and all – may be one of the most potent things we can do for ourselves… Well said.
Thank you, Melody. I figure that if my friends and family can love and/or at least accept the complete package, flaws and all, I should do the same for myself. It is getting easier with practice, and I remain a work in progress.
Russ
I think that’s the key – practice. I haven’t allowed myself the practice time, I have lately realized. It takes some discipline to allow the flaws to show without covering or excusing them, or blaming someone else for them! But they are just as much a part of us as our strengths, aren’t they?
Yes. One thing I’ve found is that some of what I’ve long considered flaws in myself seem to sometimes be viewed by others as interesting idiosyncrasies–or, as how some software companies describe imperfections in their software, they aren’t flaws, they are “features”. I guess it’s all a matter of perspective. ;-D!
Besides, imperfections are part of what make us human. And who wants to live with a perfect person anyway? I can see how that could become annoying! ;-D!
Russ