The Power of Introverts

I recently read Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain.  As I read it, I found myself celebrating that someone was recognizing the importance of introverts.  Just because I'm not loud and sharing every thought that enters my mind, doesn't mean I'm not having important thoughts.

What I have found is that I frequently don't get to share the thoughts going through my head--those around me are frequently talking and I'm not one to push my way into a conversation.  When I am in a meeting, you will find I sit quietly through most of the meeting and absorb what is going on around me.  Then, hopefully, I will have the chance to voice a well-thought out idea before the meeting ends.  Part of this is from my TBI.  It does take me longer to process information and come up with the exact words to express my thoughts. Part of it is a natural part of my personality that has always been there.  I have always sat quietly absorbing the thought processes of those around me before finalizing my thought.  I have always done my best thinking in quiet and alone and later.  Writing assignments for class were where my thought processes were demonstrated.  I did not participate in class discussion/brainstorming.  I remember being told by a professor that I needed to speak up more in class to share my thoughts with my peers, not just save them for my papers that only he saw.  That just isn't my personality.  If you want to hear my thoughts, do it privately and wait for my mouth to catch up with my brain.  Or, better yet, share your questions/ideas and give me time to think about it and get back to you.  I've discovered sleeping is the greatest thing for my brain right now.  If I am struggling with an issue or need an idea for work, I will take a nap and more often than not wake up with my questions answered.  Thank you God for giving me the answer in my sleep.  :)

Now, calling yourself introverted does not give you permission to withdraw completely in your own head and never interact with others.  It really only helps explain the way we think and process best.  We process more within ourselves than out loud with others.  That does not mean I won't be a part of a group.  What it does mean is that I probably won't voice my thoughts until after I've processed all that is going on around me.  Maybe at the end of the meeting, maybe not until the next day (after I've let God talk to me in my sleep)  It doesn't mean I won't socialize with others--it only means I am also comfortable alone and need some down time.  It does not give me an excuse to be rude, withdrawn, or anti-social.  After all, I Corinthians 13 says, "Love is patient, Love is kind.  It does not envy.  It does not boast.  It is not proud.  It is not rude. It is not self-seeking.  It is not easily angered.  It keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails."  Both introverts and extroverts need to keep this in mind as they interact with others.  You need to be loving whether or not you completely understand how the other thinks.

On page 5, the book tells us:
"Without introverts, the world would be devoid of

the theory of gravity
the theory of relativity
W.B. Yeats's 'The Second Coming'
Chopin's nocturnes
Proust's 'In Search of Lost Time'
Peter Pan
Orwell's '1984' and 'Animal Farm'
The Cat in the Hat
Charlie Brown
'Schindler's List,' 'E.T.,' and 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'
Google
Harry Potter

I for one would miss those things.  Yeah, for the power of introverts.  May we never underestimate the thoughts going through their heads.

What are your thoughts about introverts vs. extroverts?
What are your own personal experiences?
How do we help our introvert children express themselves?
How do we make sure our voice gets heard?
Is there ever a time you should act extroverted?  Is it possible?

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Glittering Mica

"Life is made up of moments, small pieces of glittering mica in a long stretch of gray cement.  It would be wonderful if they came to us unsummoned, but particularly in lives as busy as the ones most of us lead now, that won't happen.  We have to teach ourselves how to make room for them, to love them, and to live, really live."   Anna Quindlen

Sharing My Story

One of the scariest moments in life is sharing your story of the moment that changed your world.  Will you be able to express it clearly?  Will people understand that the focus is not on where you've been but where you are now?  Will God get the glory for the miracles in your life?  Will people see what God has done and all the good things and not focus on the tragedy?  Terrifying.  Even more terrifying is a long interview that is edited into short clips.  Will they accurately portray what I am trying to say?  Well, they did.  God  does not get the glory, but He will if you talk to me personally.  :)  Did I really expect much difference from a State University?

I remember the terror of planning this interview.  I remember having to prepare myself by wearing my favorite color.  No,  the purple is not for KSU.  It is for me to give me confidence and a feeling of power.  When I got the CD of the finished product, I was pleased to find I could even review it.  I really have a hard time watching myself or listening to a recording of myself.  The voice in my head is so much different from the voice you can hear. But, since it is all subtitled, I could turn the volume down and watch the subtitles instead of my face.  That made it a bearable experience for me.  :)

They kept promising me that they would take care of anything during editing and make me look good.  I'm not sure I completely believed them, but they managed to do just  that.  If you want to hear the story of the accident, please listen to it here.  That way, when we get together, we can just talk about life and what is current for both of us.  :)
If you want to watch these, be patient, sometimes it takes a few minutes to load.

And, check out the whole site.  There is some pretty valuable information about TBI.  Maybe it will help you see me in a different light.

http://www.tbioptions.ksu.edu/Knowledge/p.aspx?tabid=34


What was your experience exploring this website?
Did you learn anything about TBI?
Do you have a story about something that changed your world?
What was your experience sharing it with others?

Silence

"We need to find God, and He cannot be found in noise and restlessness.  God is the friend of silence.  See how nature--trees, flowers, grass--grows in silence; see the stars, the moon, and the sun, how they move in silence . . . We need silence to be able to touch souls."  Mother Teresa

How do we find silence in this noisy world?
How do I help my children find silence?
How do I find silence for myself when I am never alone?
Any good ideas out there?

Excellence

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
-Aristotle

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Cave of the Winds

Finally, Eric's pick for our Colorado vacation.  Cave of the Winds--a perfect place for our rock hounds and for our daughter to experience since she got her Geology badge in scouts this year.  It is not wheelchair accessible (of course), so Azure and I waited upstairs and I read my book.  Our daughter said it was a good thing I didn't go, because even if I could walk, I couldn't fit. Imagine her surprise when she found out I have been down there before.  :)

Of course, no trip to a mine is complete without a little panning for treasures once you're done.  Fortunately, Cave of the Winds provides the opportunity for that to happen.  You can by a bag of stuff in the gift shop and the use the water trough outside to see if you have any treasure.  I think this was the kiddos favorite part.  :)

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Colorado Hot Air Balloon Festival

It was my turn for my choice on our Colorado vacation.  We happened to be in Colorado Springs the same weekend as the Colorado Balloon Classic.  We started our balloon experience by attending the Balloon Glo on Sunday night.  We have been to hot air balloon festivals before, but never with so many balloons and never with such an air of festivity.  We arrived at the park to watch the Balloon Glo and found food vendors and hundreds of people sitting on the ground to watch the balloons.  Anticipation was in the air.  Then, the balloons  were inflated and stood up in honor of the military.  It was quite a sight.

The great news was that we could watch the Balloon Launch Monday morning from our hotel parking lot.  We couldn't see the balloons actually launching, but we could watch them in the air. :)  What an amazing sight and a great way to begin Labor Day!!!

Smokey the Bear

What are your hot air balloon experience?
What is the best hot air balloon you've ever seen?
Have you ever stayed in a hotel and had a wonderful bonus experience?
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