There was nothing more beautiful than the radiance of the Kohen Gadol when he emerged from the Holy of Holies. But Rabbi Akiva had to deal with a generation that had to experience a Yom Kippur soon after the Temple's Destruction, when there was no Kohen Gadol. And Rabbi Akiva went to them and convinced them that Yom Kippur was still beautiful. We are now purified directly by G-d Himself. Rabbi Akiva's strength was that he always saw the positive in every situation.
Every person has SOME positive aspect.
But I am more good than bad. This is not always easy. The Do's and Don'ts of Giving Tochacha.