2 . While it’s true that introverts tend to enjoy alone time, it’s not true they dislike people or social environments. Just because you show more reservation than enthusiasm in these settings, it doesn’t mean you need to change or that you can’t make new friends. Kat Vellos, a speaker and connection coach, advises introverts to “Resist pressure from the outside world and don’t hide your true nature or force yourself to be extroverted.”

Danielle Bayard Jackson, a friendship coach, says that introverts can be good friends. “I think we sometimes joke about them being incapable or not knowing what to do…and they actually have a lot of superpowers that we don’t give credit(赞扬)to. They’re very observant. They’re really good listeners. And I think that makes for really good friends.” So, how can introverts use their strengths and make new friends in the process?

“One of my favorite ways to do this is by going to a social event, then camping out on the edge with other highly sensitive people who don’t want to be in the center of the action.” Vellos, who is an introvert herself, says. “The kitchen and the edge of the yard are where I’ve often found the best conversations and feelings of connection at an otherwise overwhelming(令人难以应对的)party.”

The key for introverts is to be mindful of how they spend their energy so that when they spend it, they spend it well. “If you know you have a small social battery and you can show up for one hour after which it’ll be overwhelming for you, make good use of that information about yourself.” Jackson says. “If you know you only have an hour to spend, choose carefully the things that you say yes to.”

As an introvert, you feel and think deeply, so this means that you have the rare(罕见的)ability to go deeper more quickly with someone new. An hour or two nay be just the amount of time you need.

9 . When the fifth grade school year was almost over, all the girls made autograph (签名) books. As I signed my classmates’ books, I noticed their moms had written in them, too. “I couldn’t be prouder of you. Can’t wait to see how you like junior high!” “Congratulations! We love you and know you have a bright future!”

I asked my mother to sign mine, too. When she handed it back to me, I was anxious to see what she had written. This is what I found on the page:

When a thing is first begun,

Never leave it till it’s done.

Be the labor great or small.

Do it well or not at all.

That was it? I was frozen. It was an indication to me that, if I couldn’t be perfect, I wasn’t good enough. I held back my tears, left the page in but secretly hoped my classmates wouldn’t read it.

Do it well or not at all. For years, I battled perfectionism and never felt good enough for most of my life.

When my mother was in her eighties, I gave her a book to fill out so we could know more about her. It had questions at the top of each page and then blank space to respond. I secretly hoped she’d been working on it all along. Sadly, not long after, my mother passed away. When I sorted out her belongings, what I wanted more than anything was that book. What I found stopped me short. On page ten, the question was, “What’s the best advice you got from your parents?” Her response was what she had written in my autograph book. Even though I’d memorized it years ago, I read it at a slower pace now, seeing it in a new light.

It was written to her by her mother, and she was passing it down to her daughter in the same way. A gift from her to me. She was giving me treasured, valuable advice when all I was thinking about were words of praise. I understand it now.

Everyone makes     1     mistake at some point, but when we hurt our parents     2     love us all their life, it’s especially heartbreaking. The good news is that their big hearts have room for forgiveness if we just ask. Anna, a senior high school student, argued with her parents, and she     3     (write) a letter to his parents for forgiveness yesterday.

I’m sorry about my argument with you. I haven’t been the girl as you are expecting. My behavior was impolite. All I have done was just so stupid. I haven’t been focusing     4     what is more important. The two of you are always working hard for my brother and me. I’m sorry to miss the understanding of how hard you have been working for our family, and I just didn’t value anything I have. I now realize how you want everything to be perfect for     5     (we). It is wrong of me     6     (take) advantage of you giving me the first, the second, and the     7     (three) chances. I know if I keep     8     (perform) badly like this, I will never be a winner in the future. I want to go to college, and I want to make you take     9     (proud) in me. I promise to do better from now on.

Yours,

Anna.

Such an apology(道歉) letter is a     10     (use) way to start a conversation, and Anna’s parents forgave her.