Caring for Your Introvert

Caring for Your Introvert - The Atlantic
One of my friends posted this article on her Facebook account. I read it and had an epiphany!
I'm an Introvert!

This took me back to 10th grade. For our Science Project, our teacher had suggested we test our fellow students to see if we were Introverts or Extroverts. Something to do with squirting lemon juice into people's mouths and watching how they salivate. I remember this, because the test said I was an Introvert, but we felt it had to be wrong because I wasn't shy.The Science Project would have had better results if we'd actually know what Extroverts and Introverts were. Still, I was surprised to find which category I favor once I understood the basic concept. I am definitely an Introvert, and proud of it!

My favorite people to hang out with are Extroverts. I love people that laugh easily, are usually having fun, and tend to be optimistic and cheerful. People tend to see me that way because I hang out with those types of people. I used to believe it myself. Lately I've come to realize that I can appreciate FUN people, without actually being FUN myself.

The part of being an Introvert that I can most relate to is needing quiet and periods of rest. That is one of my defining characteristics! Maybe knowing doesn't make a real difference in my life, but I'm glad to have this piece of the puzzle. Knowledge IS power!

The cartoons are to illustrate the new book about Introverts "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking" by Susan Cain. Guess I'll be reading that next!

Pinterest

Pinterest is my latest love. I spend a great deal of time on their site, pinning like mad. I usually have to quit when my hand are numb from holding the mouse! Sometimes I have to quit because my behind has gone to sleep. Otherwise, I'd pin for hours.

When I can't sleep, I sit at the computer to pin. My lunch break is spent pinning. First thing I do when I get home is turn on the computer to see what is new to pin. Addiction? hummmmm

It began innocently enough. One of my cousins mentioned it on Facebook. I hadn't heard of it, so I googled it, wangled an invitation and accessed their site. It took a few days to get the hang of it, and another week to realize that I needed to organize the pins into categories.

This was around Thanksgiving. I was off for a few days and had time to spare, so I fiddled around. Next thing I knew, I was following various people and their pins. My account had grown to 40 boards (categories). I took the time to look at my friends Pinterest boards, see if anyone else was as obsessed as I was. No, I was leading the charge!

Now, I have 101 boards, several hundred followers, several hundred people I follow, and endless fun looking, categorizing, pinning. It keeps me out of trouble. It's free. The pins are entertaining to look at. I spend some days just looking at the cool things I have pinned already. But we all know, I'm easily amused.Look at my Pins at www.pinterest.com/pinterest4jan Let me know where YOUR pins are so I can look and repin them :)

Imagination

My aunt sent me a link to a site called "DRAW A STICKMAN"


I was amazed at what some enterprising person had created! Imagine knowing how to write such a program!
I played it once, but didn't get clear through, as my computer is old and balked at the task. So, when I got on my husband's computer and completed the story my appreciation grew.

Then, I looked at the gallery pictures.
What an amazing species we are. People are imaginative, playful, diverse and artistic! My stick person looked like a stick person. (It's hard to draw with the mouse.)
The gallery made the experience more valuable because it connected me to people and opened my imagination in a way it wasn't before.

So, go to www.drawastickman.com and participate.

They have HANDS!

Easter Island. The mysterious statues we all know by sight have been speculated about for centuries. From Wickipedia we learn that the statues, called "mo‘ai, are monolithic human figures carved from rock on the Chilean Polynesian island of Easter Island between the years 1250 and 1500."
How they were carved, moved into place and WHY are all questions that have no definite answers. However in October 2011, the Easter Island Statue Program began Excavation Season V.
I was surprised to randomly come across a picture of an excavated statue, and see that the head also has a body and HANDS! Suddenly it made me realize that the things we've taken for granted forever are always open to more and new interpretation! I love when something changes right before my eyes and I have a new understanding. In fact, it's the thing I find most gratifying about being alive.

Lightening Strikes!

Why is Lightening so fascinating? When I was young, it frightened me, mostly because of the thunder that usually follows. But now, as an adult, I love thunder because of the association with lightening, which fascinates me.I can watch storms for hours. If I know a storm is coming in the night, I leave the drapes open so that I'm awakened by the light and sounds. I don't mind being awake if it's storming. When I do go back to sleep, I sleep so peacefully.
I've read books about lightening strikes, people struck by lightening, surviving lightening strikes. Endlessly fascinating. However, I don't want to be one of those struck! I'd sign up in a moment if I knew I'd survive intact, but that's a lot of raw energy that can rearrange your mind and body. I'll keep watching from afar, enjoying it from the safety of my house or porch. Mother Nature, you are one Powerful Force!

Once again I survived the holidays! An accomplishment I'm proud of.

There were moments I enjoyed. We did things that were fun. I did not purchase a single present. I sent cards only to the few people I really care about. The food was the center of our celebrations, and that was modest compared to other years. I'm glad it's over and I can forget about it for another year! We did not incur any debt for which I am profoundly grateful.