An Encouraging Word

A lot more people than you might think consider themselves shy. While we now know that most children grow out of shyness starting around age 12, there are a lot of us who think of ourselves as quiet and reserved throughout our lives.

As you go through your daily routine today, let yourself be sensitive to those around you who are quiet and unobtrusive—the young girl in the elevator, the older man who waits on you at the hardware store. Go out of your way to say something pleasant and friendly. A few kind words can do a lot to help people feel more connected and valuable. There’s already plenty of rude or even uncivil behavior in our culture. See what you can do to bring back an old-fashioned sense of courtesy and good manners. Kindness is the ultimate stress reducer. It makes the giver and the receiver both feel better.