Today I have a very special post for you.
This message comes from someone like you in our community here.
However there is one regard where he may not be like you and me, right now.
He lives in a place where a lot of fighting has been going on for ages in Israel.
I am not here to talk about which side of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is right, only to help people with shyness and social anxiety. I am not taking any sides here politically.
All I know it is a tough situation that has been going on for a very long time.
I was deeply touched by this man’s message, as someone struggling with social anxiety LITERALLY during a time of war.
I asked Roger (not his real name he wanted it changed) to allow me to share his story with you because I thought it was powerful and would help everyone. He was gracious enough to let me share his story, and his wisdom in dealing with social anxiety, with you.
Here is Roger’s story…
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“Dear David,
I live in Israel.
We have been under rocket attack for quite some time now. A friend and I who live in an area which is comparatively quiet, decided to go to a southern town, where volunteer work is organized for the people who spend most of their day in bomb shelters and live in panic of the rockets.
That day I met endless new people – all kinds of organizers, children, and people who clerks. I was fine most of the day but by afternoon was very tired and my concentration was poor. I found it hard to follow all the stories, find things to say all the time, I mean words of comfort, but also just staying with it sometimes.
At some stage I started feeling very low in self esteem, I noticed people were starting to ignore me, talking more to my friend. I felt my body was full of tension, I knew my facial expression probably was saying “help” or ” get me out of here.”
I felt ashamed at my weakness, but decided not to listen to my inner voice telling me I was a failure.
Instead I focused on bringing a bit of warmth toward myself in my heart, and telling myself that I’m allowed to have downs, it doesn’t mean that’s who I am!!
Slowly I found my body calming down and my expression too. Before I left, I thanked the organizers and remembered to say what I needed to – that they were doing a good job and may we all know peace and quiet soon!
They smiled back, thanked me…and again there was the connection.
As long as we can alway resume connection, no matter how hard it seems, or how long it takes, just believing we are worthy human beings just like everyone else, makes it okay, and enables us to try again, wholeheartedly!
Hope that’s not too long. And thank you for your messages! They’re good support!
May we be in peace within, all over the globe!
– Roger
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I’m just amazed at the wisdom of Roger’s words here.
I am just touched by the situation, but even more so how gentle and warm Roger was with himself which allowed him to get unstuck and reconnect or open up to himself and everyone around him.
Roger – keep doing what you are doing, that is exactly the right thing to do.
What are you learning from Roger here?
How can you apply this to your shyness/anxiety situation?
Your voice matters. Look at how much a difference Roger has made by sharing his story.
Leave a comment below on what touched you, what wisdom might come through you through reads Roger’s words, or anything you are inspired to ask or say.
1 Response to "Battling Shyness In a Time of War"
In my opinion, Roger has only a light shyness. If he had a heavy one, he would feel himself a failure constantly and he would not go to those southern town, feeling that he would be useless there (really everywhere).