One of the things few people know is that shyness itself is not a disorder but it is rather an escape mechanism that people use to run from certain problems such as lack of self-esteem.

-- 2knowmyself

Excerpt from Farouk's email titled "This is why you lack self confidence".

Can an alpha male be shy

https://www.2knowmyself.com/Can_an_alpha_male_be_shy

-- 2KnowMySelf

How Social skills can help you end shyness

https://www.2knowmyself.com/getting_over_shyness

-- 2KnowMySelf

People need labels to judge you, and if you don't judge yourself by the labels, you disempower them.

-- Caroline McHugh

Knowing your absolutes not only helps you to express yourself, it gives you the criteria by which to judge yourself.

-- Caroline McHugh

Feeling guilty is contingent on the past and fear depends on the future. If you live in the moment, neither are possible.

-- Caroline McHugh

That's what I've always been fighting for - making sure that people love themselves for who they are, and we don't pick on people because we're uncomfortable with ourselves, or who they are. That's been my message, from when I was young to now. There are lots of young girls out there who are struggling with their identities... afraid of being discriminated against or teased. I take risks and use my imagination so that other people will feel free and take risks. That's my hope.

-- Janelle Monae

Excerpt from an article on Janelle Monae

Monae is clear that she makes her artistic decisions to give others courage to break out of the norm. She says: "That's what I've always been fighting for - making sure that people love themselves for who they are, and we don't pick on people because we're uncomfortable with ourselves, or who they are. That's been my message, from when I was young to now. There are lots of young girls out there who are struggling with their identities… afraid of being discriminated against or teased. I take risks and use my imagination so that other people will feel free and take risks. That's my hope."

-- io9

Excerpt from an article on Janelle Monae

Monae is clear that she makes her artistic decisions to give others courage to break out of the norm.

-- io9

Excerpt from an article on Janelle Monae. The fact that she makes the clarity an important aspect of her art is commendable.

Monae is working with her collective, the Wondaland Arts Society, to carve out a space for us all to be brave enough to be ourselves. The word "weirdo" shows up in many of her songs. In "Faster:" Am I a freak? Or just another little weirdo? Call me weak, or better yet – you can call me your hero, baby. It also comes up in her history; when she was 12, she was in a band called The Weirdoz.

-- io9

Excerpt from an article on Janelle Monae

Monae is working with her collective, the Wondaland Arts Society, to carve out a space for us all to be brave enough to be ourselves. The word "weirdo" shows up in many of her songs.

-- io9

Excerpt from an article on Janelle Monae

Monae is working with her collective, the Wondaland Arts Society, to carve out a space for us all to be brave enough to be ourselves.

-- io9

Excerpt from an article on Janelle Monae

Janelle Monae turns rhythm and blues into science fiction

http://io9.gizmodo.com/5592174/janelle-monae-turns-rhythm-and-blues-into-science-fiction

-- io9

Stop Worrying about the Election

http://mises.org/library/stop-worrying-about-election

-- Mises Institute

I found this following a link to an article about freedom from the Wikipedia page for "The Shawshank Redemption". The original comment: Angus C. Larcombe suggests that the film provides a great illustration of how characters can be free, even in prison, or unfree, even in freedom, based on one's outlook in life.

Love is what we were born with. Fear is what we learn. The spiritual journey is the unlearning of the fear and prejudices and the acceptance of love back in our hearts. Love is the essential reality and our purpose on earth. To be continually aware of it, to experience love in ourselves and others, is the meaning of life. Meaning does not lie in things. Meaning lies in us.

-- Marianne Williamson

Fear may be clouding your judgment. It’s hard to know before you’ve tried something whether fear or real dislike is turning you away from it. Facing fears is worth the trouble: we often fear most what would make us most happy.

-- Mike Turitzin

Ellen at Tulane Commencement 2009

Meet Nadia Ali, The Hijab wearing porn star

http://naradanews.com/2016/05/meet-nadia-ali-the-hijab-wearing-porn-star/

-- Narada News

Ellen DeGeneres’ 2009 Commencement Speech at Tulane University (Full Transcript)

http://www.singjupost.com/ellen-degeneres-2009-commencement-speech-at-tulane-university-full-transcript/

-- The Singju Post

We are what we think: Valerie Mason-John