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For some reason, I decided to start looking people in the eye when I was taking a World History class in high school. I think I was 14, and the teacher was a burly guy with white hair who intimidated me.
But from the safe harbor of my desk, while he was lecturing and looking around the room to make sure we were all awake, I would practice staring directly into his eyes (he would be looking elsewhere, though occasionally look at me). So this way, I could practice it without a direct return look to make me nervous. I did this day after day, and eventually, it became normal to me.
And bonus, ever since that class, I have made a note of looking directly into my teachers' eyes to make sure they know I am listening (and, when I started teaching, staring my students down to make sure THEY were listening, hehe). It was really a matter of practice to me, just like most habits in life...
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And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
--Khalil Gibran
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