The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.

we cannot change, we cannot move away from what we are, until we thoroughly accept what we are. Then change seems to come about almost unnoticed.

It becomes easier for me to accept myself as a decidedly imperfect person, who by no means functions at all times in the way in which I would like to function. This must seem to some like a very strange direction in which to move. It seems to me to have value because the curious paradox is that when I accept myself as I am, then I change.

It seems to me to have value because the curious paradox is that when I accept myself as I am, then I change.

You look at yourself and you accept yourself for who you are, and once you accept yourself for who you are you become a better person.

When we love a person, we accept him or her exactly as is: the lovely with the unlovely, the strong with the fearful, the true mixed in with the façade, and of course, the only way we can do it is by accepting ourselves that way.

When you accept yourself, the whole world accepts you.

If you begin to understand what you are without trying to change it, then what you are undergoes a transformation.

To accept something, you must be happy about it, or at least okay with it. You can accept your circumstances (acknowledge they are real) while still disliking them strongly. You don’t have to like everything, but if you want to preserve your sanity, you have to accept whatever comes into your life before you can change it.

There comes a time in each life like a point of fulcrum. At that time you must accept yourself. It is not any more what you will become. It is what you are and always will be. You are too young to know this. You are still becoming. Not being.

it’s only after we accept reality that we can attempt to change it.

I must be myself. I cannot break myself any longer for you, or you. If you can love me for what I am, we shall be the happier.

In order to control myself I must first accept myself by going with and not against my nature.

We have to be what we are, so we don’t have to present a false image. If you love me the way I am, “Okay, take me.” If you don’t love me the way I am, “Okay, bye-bye. Find someone else.” It may sound harsh, but this kind of communication means the personal agreements we make with others are clear and impeccable.