A photo
I treasure taken by one of my all-time favorite extroverted explorers.
***
In aloneness, I cocoon. In stillness, I surrender to a deepening
peace found beneath the rush of busyness. In quiet, I actively listen to the
layers of narratives weaving my tapestry of being. Introspection satisfies an
innate need to seek meaning, discover purpose and illuminate understanding in
my never-ending identity quest. In tracing the past interactions of the day, I
piece together insights and intuit answers. I dive in the depths of feeling, of
genuine love and concern I possess so fully and completely for the ones I
cradle in my heart. I recognize my impulsive tendency to give energy to the
extent that I burn the electric fuse wiring my sensitive self. I retreat to
replenish.
Introvert, I proudly proclaim.
I knowingly pepper "introvert" into conversations with coworkers,
friends, and acquaintances to subtly signal the significant role it plays in my
natural design. My purposeful revealing of my temperamental truth foreshadows
the "no" I will -- at some point in our intertwined time -- deliver
as a response to an outing, excursion, additional work meeting. My
"no" then, I hope does not surprise you. My "no" is not
aimed as a personal rejection of you; rather it's a showing of true affection,
a love language easily misunderstood. If I don't feel energetically full, I
will not strain myself to go out -- I'll be scattered, irritable, overwhelmed,
and quick to take defense.
For years, I struggled against the current pulling me to turn
inward to reside in the haven of stillness and time liberated from pressures
and to-dos. Relinquishing the fight, I trust in my own rhythms of openness,
giving, and sheltering, nurturing. In this refining of rhythm, I consciously
create and thrive in circles of respectful, rejuvenating connections, where my
introversion is seen, not as a flaw, but the cherished character trait that
makes me the person you want to beautifully keep. When I choose to share
quality time with my loved ones, I intentionally show up well-nourished and
self-assured, ready to meet you as you are, love you as you are, be with you as
you are, because I've taken the necessary time to reflect and answer my needs,
and properly restore.
Learning the language of our loved ones, honoring their unique
infrastructure, brightly broadens our perspective to clearly see the infinite
ways our loved ones express affection, sweet care and a love eager to embrace.
Expanding our hearts to unquestioningly receive, we may stumble upon our
blockages limiting our view of self-care, self-love. We may confront and usher
into awareness the subconscious self-sabotages we employ to dim our inherent
worthiness.
Optimal repair exists in a remedy only we can create.
Extroversion, introversion, a playful concoction of the two, all circle back to
the question of energy: how do you revive energized embodiment? The answer
appears in the moments you feel most alive, and you feel entirely embodied in
your spectacular self.
Where is there ease? What number of people - or is it absolute
solitude - that inspires the smoothest, steadiest breath?
Your radiant self nurtured into robust, resplendent fullness
stimulates a system built to thrive, and your thriving propels your loved ones
into the same self-exploration, which shifts the collective to connect, rest
and respond from a crucial place of enlightened realization.
And it may all begin with a no.
Thank you for the invite, but I can't tonight. I'm called to sublime
stillness, to read, to watch a favorite movie, or reconnect with a friend who
speaks my heart language. A no redirecting you to a yes. A yes to fulfilling,
celebrating, nurturing the fantastical you. Affirming a constant, compassionate
study to stay close to ourselves as we continually evolve, to readily greet our
needs with intelligence and gentleness. We all shift, like waves, never to be
rigidly defined, and here our existence -- as an extrovert or an introvert --
is exquisitely complex, and all the more deliciously intriguing in the
experiencing and experimenting with the exacting elements that electrify our
glorious, gorgeous being.
An introvert, I claim myself to be. My introversion teaches
me the value of stillness and listening, and here, the voice within can whisper
go play and hug tight your tribe. Or the voice may grant me permission to lean
back into the rippling enoughness of non-doing. Either way, loves, I wish for
you to be as you need to be -- liberated, wild, and dazzlingly free.
