Accepting oneself does not preclude an attempt to become better.

Much of Flannery O'Connor’s Southern Gothic fiction explores complex themes of grace and redemption, and her characters often grapple with their own flaws and moral shortcomings. This is due in no small part to O’Connor’s Catholic upbringing: She described herself as “a Catholic peculiarly possessed of the modern consciousness.” In this quote from one of her personal letters, O’Connor acknowledges that self-acceptance is not one’s final destination, but should instead be a step on the path to realizing, and then addressing, one's weaknesses and faults. There’s a lot of beauty to be found in humility, and it’s important to remember that we can remain humble and open to bettering ourselves while still loving who we are.