I was shy growing up – so much so that my teachers told my parents to force me to join a theater group to get over it (obviously I protested).

Although I went on to a career on-air in radio and television, teaching and public speaking, I never got over it.  In many ways, I’m still shy and I’m sticking to it.

Sometimes there is an outgoing me and sometimes a private me.

It’s possible to learn how to be bigger, become more outgoing when necessary and even perform in public.

One of my favorite things to do is start a conversation face-to-face with someone I don’t know.

That allows me to channel my “shy” at the same time proving that I can “be bigger” when it is appropriate.

A loud mouth is not better than a wallflower.

It is far better to be many things when needed than all things that are never needed.