I was a chronically shy child. That kernel of my younger self is still there, but I've developed mechanisms to deal with it.
“Fear is the only true enemy, born of ignorance and the parent of anger and hate.”
“Man is subject to innumerable pains and sorrows by the very condition of humanity, and yet, as if nature had not sown evils enough in life, we are continually adding grief to grief and aggravating the common calamity by our cruel treatment of one another.”