November 02, 2015

Question Of The Month

A Life Examined: Question of the Month

The world of blogs is a great adventure and best of all, I can venture into the realms in my pajamas! I've made some great discoveries of late. One of them is A Life Examined, and you all know my love for introspection and self-examination. Really, other than a good book, Gin and Tonics, and large bodies of water, is there anything better? Okay, Survivor is close!

Michael, at A Life Examined, has a Question of the Month. Good questions that take some digging. His question for November is "Are you an introvert or an extrovert?"

Earlier this year I wrote about the wonderful little tome, QUIET, The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, by Susan Cain. (just checked and found that it was probably last year -damn time flies!).

The book really hit home as does Michael's question. I don't really believe in opposites but feel that everything is more or less a spectrum, much like one end of the spectrum would be extreme introversion and the other end, extreme extroversion. I lean heavily on the introvert side of the middle, way away from middle.

I love solitude. I love walks alone, sitting by the lake or river alone. Most of my activities are solo, like typing these words on this keyboard; another of those favorite pastimes.

I am not fond of random large groups of people though I have no problem making a presentation to groups of 4 to 200+, which I did often as a public relations director in large medical corporations, as a president of a non-profit agency or teaching classes at the Institute for Intuitive Living, the Celestine Center of Healing Arts or at church. I can go to the symphony, getting lost in the music but wandering through the crowd is what gets my heart thumping. Can you spell c-l-a-u-s-t-r-o-p-h-o-b-i-c?

I love football games and sit down in front on the 50 yard line bleachers, front-and-center, and can scream and yell, I can jump up and down and wave my arms all about. I couldn't care less who 'might see me'! I'm there for a reason but don't invite me to a huge party and leave me alone with a bunch of strangers! I'll find a nice corner to sit in and freely visit with anyone who wanders by, but I am not a mingler! Though, when I see someone who appears more unsettled than I am, I will usually wander over, introduce myself and ask if they want to join me in my corner. I have made more really good friends that way. We quietly sit and really talk and hopefully someone nice refreshes our drinks for us now and then.

I am happy with a couple of close friends that I can sip wine with and discuss meaningful subjects. My friends don't mind digging deep but I have to admit, I do my best ruminating while alone. Happily, even in a large group of noisy, chatty people, I can find myself a space to be alone.

So, Michael, I am 90% introvert and 10% extrovert (but that 10% can be a little crazy at times!).

10 comments:

  1. We clearly are from the same mold! Great answer and more about you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe that's why I enjoy your blog so much! Thanks!

      Delete
  2. I agree that some people are usually along a spectrum. I'm like you at parties. Not a mingler and much prefer small intimate groups

    Susan Says

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan, what would we do if the party was held in a round room and there were no cozy corners! Totally prefer small groups.

      Delete
  3. I'm totally an introvert with extrovert tendencies. Never the life of the party, but able to mingle with the right group.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Toinette, Thanks for dropping by. Sometimes, if I've got an extra glass of wine (or three) I may think I'm the life of the party!

      Delete
  4. I love your answer and thank you for the very nice way you described my blog :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Michael. I really enjoy your blog. Discovered it through Bouncin' Barb.

      Delete
  5. Smaller, more intimate, groups and settings are my preferred social interaction as well.
    Play off the Page

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Must be that most of my visitors are on the introverted side of the spectrum!

      Delete

Comment Please but Play Nice!