I have found its a lot easier for my confidence to come through in an area of the country that has similar certainty as I do in things. But finding that confidence in that surriundings & knowing that there are ithers who think similar makes it easier for me to open up with presenting my thoughts. Growing up, I just wanted to pass out, at an older age, my life was so filled with stress I had a hard time even formulating my thoughts.

I am surprised the change that has occured in my life so I am now comfortabke enough & can jump in with a group or new people & feel comfortable conversing with them. I listen mostly at first to get a feel for the dynamics & I NEVER interrupt someone who is speaking. Whst really shocked me was when groups wouldbreally remember I had something to say rather than ignore I had something to say.

I think the positive experiences have built up my confidence rather than it being torn down as I was growing up. I slways did have confidence to stick with my values but that was usually tied to action not just communication.