Audre Lorde Quotes

Belonging is the innate human desire to be part of something larger than us. Because this yearning is so primal, we often try to acquire it by fitting in and by seeking approval, which are not only hollow substitutes for belonging, but often barriers to it. Because true belonging only happens when we present our authentic, imperfect selves to the world, our sense of belonging can never be greater than our level of self-acceptance.

I don't wish to be everything to everyone, but I would like to be something to someone.

There is no better way to create a confident and meaningful connection with someone than to be self-assured and true to yourself. Remember, you want someone to truly appreciate you for you, not for your best side. There is only one you. Be proud of that and own it.

Today, the sun is everywhere, and everything solid is nothing but its own shadow, I know that the real things in life, the things I remember, the things I turn over in my hands, are not houses, bank accounts, prizes or promotions. What I remember is love -- all love -- love of this dirt road, this sunrise, a day by the river, the stranger I met in a café. Myself, even, which is the hardest thing of all to love, because love and selfishness are not the same thing. It is easy to be selfish. It is hard to love who I am. No wonder I am surprised if you do.

Most of us remain strangers to ourselves, hiding who we are, and ask other strangers, hiding who they are, to love us.

When did creating a flawless facade become a more vital goal than learning to love the person who lives inside your skin?

One thing I've learned in all these years is not to make love when you really don't feel it; there's probably nothing worse you can do to yourself than that.

Don't be afraid to be unique. Love yourself before you love another.

Love of self and love of life connects us with the prosperity of the Universe. Self-love creates self-expression and allows us to be creative in deeply fulfilling ways.

There is a connection between self-nurturing and self-respect.

I find that falling in love is way more fun than just having that instant attraction that you have to maintain for a relationship.

Self-respect. It would make me lovable. And it's the secret to good sex.

It is naive to think that self-assertiveness is easy. To live self-assertively--which means to live authentically--is an act of high courage. That is why so many people spend the better part of their lives in hiding--from others and also from themselves.

Be willing to share all of who you are. So many of us want a partner, but we're not willing to show all of us. That's why we have a weave, we're wearing Spanx and everything is 'fine.' If you're not willing to let your partner see your cellulite or know your biggest fears, then you aren't really ready to share yourself.

Honesty is the only way with anyone, when you'll be so close as to be living inside each other's skins.

Being natural is simply a pose, and the most irritating pose I know.

The more I try to impress people, the more I separate myself from them. Vulnerability attracts love.

You put yourself out there in the truest way you can and hope others do the same. You'll connect or you won't, but you did what you could.

We can only belong when we offer our most authentic selves and when we're embraced for who we are.

Although it is embarrassing and painful, it is very healing to stop hiding from yourself. It is healing to know all the ways that you’re sneaky, all the ways that you hide out, all the ways that you shut down, deny, close off, criticize people, all your weird little ways. You can know all of that with some sense of humor and kindness. By knowing yourself, you’re coming to know humanness altogether. We are all up against these things. We are all in this together.

Loving kindness towards ourselves doesn't mean getting rid of anything. It means we can still be crazy after all these years. We can still be angry after all these years. We can still be timid or jealous or full of feelings of unworthiness. The point is not to try to throw ourselves away and become something better. It's about befriending who we are already.

She rested her head against his and felt, for the first time, what she would often feel with him: a self-affection. He made her like herself.

I want to embrace my full self, as natural as I can be.

The good thing about my fans is that they like when I'm awkward and real, so I'm able to just go on stage and be my dorky self.

Self-acceptance begets acceptance from others, which begets even deeper, more genuine self-acceptance. It can be done. But no one is going to bestow it on you. It is a gift only you can give yourself.