overcome my shyness more often

I’m okay with reaching out to people if there’s a good chance they’ll reciprocate. It’s rare though that I’ll be okay with rejection though, and I need to gradually get to that state.

I’ve been reading Living a Connected Life by Kathleen Brehony, which has been thumping me every four pages with some sort of epiphany.

I don’t feel connected. I feel removed from my family, physically and emotionally, except for my immediate family. And yet I’ve lived in my house for about 20% of my life, and have been married for 30% of my life.

I’m hoping going through some courses and having growth experiences will be good for me. Buying a scooter’s been great for me socially, although it’ll be a while before I can scoot with my fellow MAXIs, and the sport-touring motorcyclists don’t know I exist, even though I can go at the same freeway speeds they can :P.

I’m meeting more people, this is true. I’m not shrinking and shriveling so much from other people. I find smiling while I walk in public helps, and I’ve even started 2006 more or less introducing myself and talking to strangers, swapping cards and going on rides.

First, I must remember I will not shrivel up and die if people say “no.”
Second, I must remember that some people are as afraid of me as I am of people in general. I forget often it doesn’t take much for me to be intimidating.