How can I learn to like math?

I've always hated math in school and find it incredibly boring and repetitive. I've had some TERRIBLE math teachers who would just make us do stuff out of the book and not explain anything. The slightly better teachers I've had just make us memorize equations and practice problems, but don't show how it applies to anything. I'm more of a big picture thinker, and like to see how concepts connect to each other, but with math it always seems I've just learned random details that don't connect to anything. How can I see math from a more creative and intriguing standpoint?