I embraced my journey within, and over the years, I have learned to love and accept myself with all my quirky imperfections. And I can honestly say I do love and accept myself and my body as is. I’ve even become comfortable in my own skin. (In a healthy, not narcissistic way.)

I even like myself most of the time. That doesn’t mean I like all the choices I have made or continue to make. Yeah, decades later, it's still a work in progress.

And sometimes, our journey is about transforming our deepest wounds into our greatest strengths and gifts. When we heal the parts that we hide, we also help others heal.

Working with people over the decades has shown me this appears to be true for everyone.

The things you like, love, or admire about others are actually within you.

The things that trigger you about others are something within that you judge, resist, or try to hide… or may not even be aware of.

The thing you want to change in others points to the something about you that believes that person or thing changing will bring you more happiness in some way. What choices and changes can you make instead that will actually accomplish that goal?

The way people treat you is the way you unconsciously believe you should be treated or deserve to be treated because of something you believed as a kid. Maybe you were made out to be wrong or broken in some way, or not good enough, or too much.

The good news is, it puts the power back in your hands… and the responsibility. If you want something different, you need to do something different. And the changes begin within.

You can start by asking questions, such as “Is this true?” or "Who did I get this idea from?" Every time a judgment pops into your beautiful head.

If you are anything like me, you focus on all the things that are not quite right or you didn’t complete. Let’s switch that around now. Each evening or morning, state or write down 5 things about you that you appreciate, and take an honest look back on all you have done. I bet you have accomplished a lot!

We will never get it all done. And that’s OK. You’re OK.

No one should be afraid to be their true self. No one should have to feel unloved and unworthy. Every one of us is a child of the Divine.

One of my favorite quotes comes from the author Richard Bach:

I strive to embody this in my life and encourage others to be as true to themselves as possible … especially creatives of every flavor. The world needs your contribution!

Being true to yourself is an inside job. It is always a work in progress, and some days you feel like you backslid and lose your momentum and mojo.

Other days, you surprise yourself with what you can do and be and feel. Stepping into the flow and going with it, wherever it leads.

Often, showing up for yourself, trusting yourself, and being willing to embrace your difference/uniqueness requires lots of practice and TLC.

Sometimes, it helps to have a trusted guide or friend who is familiar with navigating this journey and can remind you of who you are and why it is important for you to allow more of you to come out and play.

This is a journey I am intimately familiar with since it is the one I lived and continue learning about.

Be YOU in all your perfect imperfections and create a more enjoyable and fulfilling life. Choose You (on a more frequent basis) and Be You (more and more each day).

As I mentioned earlier, this is all a work in progress. Baby steps are sustainable. Giant leaps are exciting and possible. Just manage your expectations.

Creatives must create. Their stories, art, songs, performances, ideas, and other creations must be released into the world where they can work their magic on others.

So, maybe it’s time to stop cramming your beautiful, multidimensional butt into that confining “normal box.” Unhook from whatever is holding you back. Bust free from whatever blocks you put in place. Unleash your creative expression… whatever that may be.