Growing up as a quiet person, my quietness bother those who aren't used to silence. Ever since I was a kid, I can't count the numbers of "most behave" awards I've received. I always thought that type of recognition was an achievement. When I entered elementary, I felt the downside of being the most behave of them all.
There was a well-known event in our school celebrated during the month of August and it was called "Buwan ng wika" our teacher choose volunteers for a poem recitation to compete with another school. I wasn't the first choice yet I raised my hand and insist to join. I love performing in front of the crowd by having to explain a report or reciting a speech. As soon as I raised my hand, my teacher looked at me shockingly and told me I can't win because I'm too shy and timid. I shrugged it off. Nevertheless, I won the first place.They always thought being quiet is a problem. When in fact, seldom loud and jolly people tend to feel honestly lonely and sometimes alone even in a crowded room. They hide their deepest sadness through being a ray of sunshine for others because they know exactly how it feels to be sad. When I was in college, I get to be actively participating and even tried joining theatre. I also volunteered for our thesis presentation. They ended up being shocked that someone told me "Nagsasalita ka pala?."
Maybe quiet people like me would understand my sentiments better. At work, all my colleagues would notice often how I stay silent when they talk about people behind their back. My co-worker told me, "bawasan mo pagiging mahiyain mo." If staying silent in order to spare yourself from unnecessary gossips means being shy, well I would gladly accept that and be left alone. Sometimes short hi-hellos and chitchats drains me. I would love the company of someone whom I could get comfortable being silent. Being quiet is not an illness that would just go away after some time. You have to accept that there are people who wish to just lend an ear in a world that can't stop talking.
