Getting to "I love me"

At what point in your life did you get to really appreciating who you are, to accepting yourself in all your imperfect delightfulness and unique abilities and gifts? Maybe you are still working at it or maybe you had an innate knowing from the beginning that you are precious and loved even if the world tried to tell you otherwise. For myself its been a long journey and it may be part of the maturing process but I would not be twenty again! Back then I thought I was just the odd woman out in life, I might as well have been an alien. My clothes were never cool enough and they just symbolized the misfit I felt inside. Shy and introverted, life was a painful experience. Wherever I went, there I was, never acceptable to myself, gauche and inept in the light of my judgment. Of course this was the energy I brought with me and sometimes got reflected back to me as a self fulfilling prophesy.
Thankfully that excruciating existence has long since been traded in for a gentler and much more loving experience. What changed it all you might ask and I have to say it came slow and with much conscious work on my part. I hated the restrictions of my fears and charged headlong into finding my way out. First of all I emigrated from all that was familiar, jumping into the deep end of discomfort and almost drowned. Culture shock and learning to drive in LA at the age of 30 was almost more than I could handle after being a bicyclist and train commuter for a decade. I used to blush dreadfully when speaking in groups so I took acting classes. I did improv as a way to be more spontaneous. It was a crash course in finding out who I was and truthfully it was not all that loving.
Yes I tested my metal and found I was stronger than I ever imagined but it was not till I found my spiritual home that I could be more gentle with myself and allow myself to be loved unconditionally. Now, I love me. Imperfect as I am, I am proud of who I am and I can be more gentle with my ineptness and my unique expression in the world. I am not an alien - I am just unique! And I am the same as everyone else in their uniqueness. Do you know that about yourself? Can you say "I love me?" If not, can you at least be gentle with yourself today and allow in the possibility you are lovable and precious exactly as you are. Speak lovingly to yourself today, to the hurt and lonely child within, he or she looks to you for protection and support. Be her best friend today and make it a joyous day!