Creativity/Expression/Self Love?

I like being in the presence of self assured individuals. There is something very compelling about a person who is comfortable in their own skin, who celebrates and enjoys their life (regardless of hardships and setbacks) and through their life experiences have developed a real sense of who they are? I know who these people are because they share their energy by just being in their presence even for a fleeting moment. I believe there is a difference between the "slick" self assured persona that a person learns to allow them to "act" their way through life and the "real thing"-genuine depth that evolves over a period of time! It seems to me as people age there is often a burning desire to express ones self? This can be done on a number of different levels but it seems to me the people that express their creativity and individuality are happier as older adults? I have also seen people who have "shed" their previous skins are re-invented themselves to be more expressive and creative. These people are true warriors! The "self love" thing is a whole different area that I am still exploring...I understand one must love oneself before you can love others? What does this mean?