How does your heart feel?

My sweet girl Caroline is known by family and close friends for her spunk and personality.  She loves to play dress up, sing, dance, jump and run.  She's always excited to get in the car and go to whatever destination is up next.  There's only one small hiccup that keeps rearing it's ugly head when we get to said place... We "act" shy.  Our head is down. We don't want anyone to look or acknowledge us. Our little face shows a frown.  I first noticed it when we were frequenting story time at the library.  We would spend the first 20 minutes clinging to mom, not even remotely paying attention to the librarian reading the story or singing a song.  By the time story time wrapped up, we were finally happy and ready to engage.  I was perplexed. Who is this girl? By nature, I'm an extrovert.  I like people and new situations.  I like to go to parties and and events.  I don't feel right if I haven't struck up a conversation with someone new.   Dan, on the other hand is different.  Not the most gregarious person in the room. Confident, yes - but not generally a conversation starter.  I decided that Caroline was more like her Pop and I labeled her as my little introvert.

Then we started school and dance in the fall.  I was so fearful that she wouldn't like it. She would sit in the corner and cover her eyes.  I couldn't have been more wrong!  She loved it!  I attribute this to her teachers, but also to miss Caroline - who maybe doesn't fit into any one particular box like I originally thought.  Is she shy?  maybe. Is she anxious in new situations? possible. But does she ultimately warm up and have fun? ALWAYS. 

Now that we're 3 and officially a "big girl," we can have more intimate talks - her and I.  And during one of these talks the other day, I finally figured out the best way to help her understand what happens when she walks in a room with her head down and her eyes covered.   We had just entered the dance studio and she started in with her little scowl and head down routine and I said, "Caroline, how does your heart feel?"  - no response - "Ok, Caroline do you feel happy?"  "Yes"  "Do you want to be here?" "Yes" "Ok, then your face needs to show how your heart feels!" "Can you show me your happy face?"  "Yes"

I think it's clicking... I mean, I don't want to change her personality - she is who she is meant to be. But I do want her to understand how her outward actions make others feel.  If you look like you're having a bad time, people assume you are.  I still remember as a little girl people always coming up to me asking me if I was "ok." I never understood why... But later on I realized that I need to smile :)  I tend to stare into oblivion sometimes, lol - and in those moments my face looks like I just received some really bad news.  Typically not the case at all.  Maybe my little Caroline is a lot like her mama after all!  And if that's the case, I'm in for a world of pay backs!