Characteristics of Self-Accepting Individuals
A person who has a strong, self-accepting attitude presents the following behavioural picture (Hamachek):
Believes strongly in certain values and principles and is willing to defend them even in the face of strong group opinion. Feels personally secure enough, however to modify them if new experience and evidence suggests he/she is in error.
Is capable of acting on own best judgement without feeling excessively guilty or regretting actions if others disapprove of what has been done.
Does not spend undue time worrying about what is coming tomorrow, what has happened in the past, or what is taking place in the present.
Has confidence to deal with problems, even in the face of failure and setbacks.
Feels equal to others as a person, not superior or inferior, irrespective of the differences in specific abilities, family background, or attitudes of others towards him/her.
Is able to take for granted that he/she is a person of interest and value to others, at least to those with whom he/she chooses to associate.
Can accept praise without pretence or false modesty and compliments without feeling guilty.
Is inclined to resist the efforts of others to dominate.
Is able to accept the idea and to admit to others that he/she is capable of feeling a wide range of impulses and desires, ranging from being angry to being loving, from being sad to being happy, from feeling deep resentment to feeling deep acceptance.
Is able to enjoy a wide variety of activities involving work, play, creative self-expression, companionship, or loafing.
Is sensitive to the needs of others, to accept social customs, and particularly to the idea that he/she cannot enjoy himself/herself at the expense of others.
(Extract from REACHING OUT by David W Johnson. Prentice-Hall Inc. New Jersey)
