Are you a person who seizes opportunities? Do you run toward new experiences or are you hesitant to embrace opportunities? I would like to think that I am eager for new experiences but in truth I am a pretty careful person.

My eldest granddaughter Josie recently returned from a school trip to Quebec where she had an opportunity to be fully immersed in the French language for a week. When she returned we had lunch and she described her experiences with enthusiasm. She said she was hesitant to order her meal the first night but after that she found she was quite comfortable speaking French in a variety of situations.

I think it is often the case that we are initially shy in unfamiliar situations. Many people give up at that point and therefore miss the opportunity to see how competent they really are. When I was younger I was inclined to avoid new situations where I was not confident in my abilities. I regret the times I didn't try because I was afraid I would fail or appear foolish.

As a result of my cautiousness I did become very good at the things I did. I appeared to be highly competent. Yet my shyness kept me from the kind of bold confidence I often see in Josie. I am curious about how I learned that being good at things was all important while Josie has learned to have the confidence to try new things.

Perhaps I overstate my case. I have had many new and exciting experiences in my life and I suspect that Josie has her own hesitancies around trying new things. However, I see her as very confident for her years. I am sure that the many opportunities presented to her have made a difference.

I had good parents who were committed to raising fine upstanding citizens. My brothers and I did not disappoint. We are all serious, responsible folk. I believe our parents were proud of us. We learned our lessons well.

My kids had many experiences that I did not have growing up including moving to a foreign country. They went places and did things that I had only dreamed of when I was a child. Similarly their children have had many more exciting and new experiences than they had. Experiences count!

The practice of having new experiences increases the likelihood that further new experiences will be welcomed. Josie has already traveled to many new places. She has parents, grandparents and aunties who think about and support having a variety of experiences that result in greater confidence.

I want all of my grandchildren to seize opportunities. I want them to say "Yes" to new experiences even when they are shy or hesitant.  I am glad that they have so many options and so much support for their interests.

Josie will go to high school next fall. She is carefully examining her options right now.  She has two schools in mind. Each has its own merits. Both will support her development and provide new and interesting opportunities. I am pleased to see that she is so thoughtful about this choice. She is looking like a very confident and competent young woman!