Who are you, anyway?

Do you think it's important to know who you are? I'm not talking about the ability to list your basic qualities like you're filling out a resume. I mean knowing the raw, unedited, the good, the bad, the ugly, day-to-day, heart and soul, of you.
I would say it is not only important, it is absolutely essential to healthy relationships and to a more fulfilling life. If you don't understand yourself and what makes you tick-or get ticked off- then how in the world is anybody else supposed to understand you? Now I will say I'm not the best at understanding everything I do, say, or feel, but even when I think I'm on target I inevitably feel misunderstood by others from time to time. This makes relating difficult, to say the least.
I am a firm believer that your strengths are usually your weaknesses as well and it can be very helpful to identify some top-ranking qualities. Example: I have a strong personality with a "take charge" ability, which happens to be very needed in both my vocation and voluntary roles, on certain occasions. My leadership skills paired with my tendency to react quickly have proved extremely useful in many situations. However, my reactionary self, plus my faulty discretion can sometimes lead me to hurt those around me with my words and make me wish I would've kept my mouth shut. It's all about timing and balance.
To go a step further, if you are a follower of Jesus, allowing Him free reign of your heart and mind can bring about a deeper understanding of "you" than you might have ever thought possible. There is nothing more freeing than to let your Creator mold and refine you on a daily basis.
Why has all this been on my mind? As I mentioned earlier, understanding yourself can be a huge step in healthy relationships and is crucial to setting boundaries in them. I don't know about you, but I've had enough of hurtful and toxic interactions and have every desire to purge them right out of my life. On the flip side, knowing your heart can help you trust those around you that have the ability to bless your socks off!
What little I've said might sound like psychological mumbo jumbo to you, but You Know What? If you don't search your heart and mind frequently, and invite God to grow you, you will certainly miss out on so much this great life has to offer. Knowing who you are is a lifelong process but certainly worth the fight. I pray that my Lord forever refines the real me, helps me to love more, be hurtful less, and to glorify Him in all that I do. Above all, I hope the fire that is me, inspires or pushes somebody in my life to trust Him with their heart and life.
I'm learning not to apologize so much for the flaws I see in me, but to realize I'm a work in progress. My passion, quirkiness, strong will, affectionate, musical, practical self is happy to be alive today and is excited to see where this roller coaster that is my life takes me. What about you? Who are you, anyway?