87% Introverted

     Popularity was never important to me, but I wasn't thrilled about being bullied.  I guess I did okay as an outcast and perhaps that is what shaped me from lacking the desire to be social.

A strong lean toward being introverted came as no surprise to me.  I have always preferred being alone or in really small groups.  I have never really been one to strike up conversations – especially with the unknown though my role in the RS presidency has pushed me out of my comfort zone.  I find that I do enjoy greeting people and getting to know them – like the speed friendship activities. 

I don’t enjoy large groups.  I don’t initiate activities.  I avoid leadership roles – though I have become more comfortable with taking charge . . . well, maybe not.  For instance, if I am asked to teach I make myself a conductor and ask questions that I pray will lead in a direction other than myself.  I don’t normally enjoy drawing attention to myself.

One question asked if I had had an exhausting day would I like to wind down with a social activity.  To me that is NOT winding down.  Give me a book.  Give me YouTube.  Give me my kindle. Give me a deck of cards so that I might play solitaire. I would prefer no people if I’m trying to wind down. 

Who Talks More, Karen or Richard?

           When we first got together Richard was the most outgoing and quite social.  He seemed to have clammed up when we initially moved to Oregon – hermitizing behind his computer and not engage in social activities and I was the one out making friends along with Jaime.  We took an interest in our community while Richard seemed content to not be involved.  He has become more of social than when we first arrived. We take turns, I guess – depending on the company I guess.

The treasurer invited me to the get-together/party for the library volunteers.  I have been more actively involved with the library during these last four months than the four years prior – which really isn’t a lot.  I wasn’t even planning on attending except for Jaime wanted to go and ended up going to a gathering with her own friends. But Richard (who’d be driving me as I can’t see to drive myself) wanted to go and so we went last night.

There were only ten people at the party last night and I had only met half of them.  Richard was the talker last night.  He likes the attention and validation and I was in the blending-into-the-background kind of mood.  We don’t compete for attention.  It is usually one who will be outgoing while the other holds back.  It seems we have taken turns all throughout our marriage.