Overcoming Diffidence: A Lesson from a Funeral

Dear friends, today I want to share a story with you. A story that taught me a valuable lesson about diffidence and how it can hold us back from truly living. It’s a story that takes place at a rather unusual setting – a funeral.

The Funeral

Many years ago, I found myself at the funeral of a dear friend. His name was Charlie. He was a man of few words, but his silence spoke volumes. He was the kind of person who would sit quietly in a room, yet his presence was always felt.

As I sat there, amidst the sea of mourners, I couldn’t help but notice a peculiar thing. There was a man, sitting alone in a corner, looking rather out of place. He was clearly uncomfortable, his eyes darting around the room, avoiding any form of contact.

The Encounter

Feeling a sense of empathy, I decided to approach him. As I got closer, I noticed his hands were shaking. He was nervous, diffident, unsure of himself. I introduced myself and tried to engage him in a conversation.

His name was Sam. He was a childhood friend of Charlie’s but had lost touch over the years. He had heard about Charlie’s passing and had come to pay his respects. But his diffidence was holding him back. He was afraid of saying the wrong thing, of not fitting in, of being judged.

The Lesson

Seeing Sam’s struggle reminded me of a valuable lesson. Diffidence, my friends, is a cage. It holds us back, prevents us from expressing ourselves, from connecting with others. It robs us of opportunities and experiences. It keeps us from truly living.

But here’s the thing – we hold the key to this cage. We have the power to overcome our diffidence. It’s not easy, I know. But it’s possible. And the first step is to acknowledge it.

That day, I helped Sam acknowledge his diffidence. I encouraged him to share his memories of Charlie, to express his grief, to connect with the others. And as he did, I saw a change in him. His eyes lit up, his hands stopped shaking, and for the first time that day, he smiled.

Conclusion

So, my dear friends, don’t let diffidence hold you back. Embrace it, acknowledge it, and then let it go. Remember, you hold the key to your cage. Don’t be afraid to unlock it.

Until next time, remember to live fully, love deeply, and let go of what holds you back.

Yours truly,

Kev