It feels really odd for me to say I'm an introvert....REALLY odd. I mean, as a creative soul that loves to share all things creative and as a former educator and counselor and as a physical therapist- c'mon! This woman can't possibly be an introvert! ....but, I think she is...
A new year is upon us and I'm in heavy reflective mode thinking about all that was good in 2012 and all that needs to be improved or enhanced and all that just went wrong. As I contemplate on a myriad of things and try to discern cause and effect (if possible) I realize that my most valuable lessons and successes were rooted from me taking time with myself. Sitting in stillness alone. Making decisions based on what I could hear my Spirit saying to me and only involving one extremely close person when negotiating a final decision. I thrived and found productive energy by being alone.
Let's remember- being an introvert doesn't mean you like to be alone all of the time. Rather, its about how you receive energy and what energizes you. And I'm a bit surprised, but this once extroverted girl is now very introverted.
How did I get here? All the way up to my early 30's I didn't really feel alive unless I was with other people. I definitely got energized by being with others and sharing thoughts with groups of friends. I enjoyed alone time, but didn't really feel energized. When I was at a brunch or gathering or work or other social spaces, BOOM- the light came on for me.
I think the shift came when I had children. Yep- that motherhood thing again. It does WONDERS for ya! Having small children occupying much, if not all, of your time can be incredibly exhausting and you use a ton of energy accommodating their needs. Some parents simply make this exhaustion their new normal. Thankfully, after a variety of incidents I realized that wasn't going to be how I was going to roll. It wasn't working for me. But, I didn't pray for "introversion"...however, I did discover that quietness and stillness and solitude could be the medicine for my exhaustion.
Seems pretty elementary, right? So, why do most of us take second looks when we hear of someone being an introvert? The assumption is often they're not social or are loners and that is true in some cases. But, not mine. I still love social gatherings...I'm just not energized by them. They are not my medicine of choice:-)
In my opinion...I think we all have a mixed up bag of introversion and extroversion. We're human afterall and we're dynamic (meaning, we're all over the place!). But, I'm not sure how much we really value our introversion. It really is a gift. A Divine gift- that introverted space that we each embody (whether it be big or small) is there for a reason. To call us to stillness and to find energy within. I now realize that my introverted behaviors produce amazing extroverted interactions, and so, I choose to nurture my introverted self more in 2013.
What are you mostly? Introverted or extroverted or maybe you don't have a clue! I suggest you take a moment to reflect on this concept as you move into 2013. It may help you meet your personal goals. Or it may help you actually create new goals. Either way, take inventory on who you are and "why" you are...
Peace & blessings,
Kenya
