What you see and what you get

Isn't it strange that way that an emotion or trait can manifest itself in totally the opposite way that it seems? For example: cocky, overconfident people- do you ever wonder, or find that perhaps they are actually suffering from low self-esteem or confidence, and are perhaps- overcompensating?

I have this problem with shyness. In most situations I am pretty comfortable. But, in some cases- usually the important ones, my shyness tends to manifest itself into coldness, making it seem like I don't care. When really, I do very much, but I am just desparately trying not to make an ass of myself. Not to expose too much.

I want so much to just be an open, honest, conscious and compassionate person. But it is hard! It is hard. Is it possible to acquire such consciousness?

Gunga. Gunga-galoonga.