'I like you...just as you are'

In my favorite scene of the movie "Bridget Jones Diary," the character Mark Darcy tells her, "I like you very much. Just as you are."

I think this is one desire that most people in the world share.

Yes, to be loved, but, I think even more than that, is to be accepted -- just as you are.

We all have our weird quirks. I know that I have many, which probably couldn't even be counted on all my fingers and all my toes.

But one thing I have learned is that, although it is wonderful to have others accept you as you are, it is probably even more important to learn to accept yourself -- just as you are.

How can we expect others to accept us as we are if we don't do it ourselves? Instead, be proud of these quirks. They make you who you are. They make you unique. Stop trying to change the person you are and stop being ashamed.

Louise Watson wrote on the website tinybuddha.com, "It seems whatever personality you’ve got, you’re always going to be 'too much' of something for someone. ... When you learn to accept yourself, you’re likely to find that others will accept you too. But if they don’t, it really doesn’t matter."

Monica Drake

Monica's goal is to raise awareness about suicide and help erase the stigma associated with mental illness. In 2012, she won first place in News Enterprise Reporting by the Michigan Press Association for her series on suicide in the community, and in 2013, was named “Digital Innovator of the Year” by the Local Media Association. In 2019, she received the Ambassador Award from the suicide prevention nonprofit Six Feet Over. She started the blog Meant to Live to help others by sharing signs of depression, reasons to live, resources, suicide and bullying prevention groups, other people’s stories and memorials. She especially wants to show people that they are not alone.