Watauga Democrat

TIMIDITY- ITS CAUSE AND CURE

Many shy and over-sensitive people keep their eyes turned inward so long examining themselves, lashing themselves with hard criticisms, that they become practically unable to turn their eyes outward. They cannot see the outside world and its people as they really are. Their self-absorption, having their minds fixed continually on themselves, their real or imaginary defects, their humiliating experiences, their failures to measure up to their social standards, is the very thing that makes them awkward, constrained, miserable when others all around them are enjoying themselves and having a good time. Emerson says, "Give me a thought and my hands and legs and voice and face will go right. We are awkward for want of thought. The inspiration is scanty and does not arrive at extremities."

An earnest, all absorbing thought, which will take your attention off yourself, is the best remedy for the awkwardness of self-consciousness. A knowledge of, and interest in the great questions of the day, and a real interest in the people you meet, will help to drive yourself out of your mind, and will relieve you of the hundred and one embarrassments and mortifications which self-consciousness would draw upon you.

-Selected.