It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.

I've never really been one to stand up for myself.

Usually I'm content with just going with the flow, which can be a good thing. It's good to be flexible and to just go with it. But sometimes being so passive can result in letting people walk all over you. I'll admit it: I've let people walk all of over, take advantage of me. I just let people do what they want, and I go along with it simply because it's easier than standing up and making waves. And usually I've been okay with that, but lately I've started speaking up more.

If something's bothering me—whether it's with my friends or my roommates or my classmates or my professors, even—I've started voicing my opinion. I'm not that great at it yet, but I'm learning how to stand up for myself day by day.

Confrontation is still not my favorite thing in the world. In fact, it's probably one of my least favorite things. But I've learned that it's a necessary life skill, so I'm trying to become better at it.

You see things. You keep quiet about them. And you understand.

I have a love-hate relationship with the word shy. And with the word introvert. And with the words quiet and wallflower. Though people usually use these words to describe me, they sometimes use them without knowing what they really mean. So I thought I would clear a few things up about these words, particularly in the way they apply to me.

I'm the first person to admit that I am shy or an introvert. As I mentioned in a post a few weeks ago, I prefer to step back and listen and observe rather than jump in and speak all the time. Don't get me wrong, I'll speak up when I have something to say or when I want to be heard, but most of the time I prefer to take it all in.