Introverted and Loving It

For the heck of it I typed Introverts.com into Firefox just to see what would come up (No, I won’t even give them the courtesy of a hyperlink.). To my irritation this is what I see:

Most Relevant Link: Mental Health

Anti Depressant
Chronic Depression
Clinical Depression
Counseling
Depression
Depression Help
Depression Medication
Drug For Depression
Health And Wellness
Mental Health
Mental Health Treatment
Mental Performance
Mental Power
Psychiatry Jobs
Psychology
Psychotherapy
Seasonal Affective Disorders

Granted it’s one of those websites geared towards Google Adsense and affiliate links, but still. GIVE ME A BREAK.

As I pointed out in my May 1st post, introverts are constantly labeled, by the extroverts of the world, often based upon the actions of a few. The vast majority of introverts are not mentally ill, mentally unstable nor suffer from clinical depression. These disorders exist, but are proven to be evenly spaced amongst personality types. These labels are GARBAGE, I tell ya!

Introvert Solutions

One of the best books available on the market about introverts is The Introvert Advantage by Marti Olsen Laney. This is a fabulous resource, created by an introvert for an introvert. Read it, absorb it and educate those around you. Together we can dispel the myths about introversion.

I was looking at a blog recently (Simply His) and I came across this great article about Evangelism for Introverts. One word…refreshing!

Before I devoted my life to Christ, I was put off by the evangelism tactics of extroverts. Personally, I prefer a little more subtlety and not the in your face way of most extroverts. Once in the church, I was confronted with the need for me to evangelize (believe me I understand the importance) but to be honest, it’s just not my cup-o-joe. Like the author of the article, I prayed and prayed to be more outgoing, but it has been shown to me time and time again that we are distinct individuals and we all have our own ways of operation. In just the past few weeks, I have come to the understanding, through the support of those around me that by me simply “caring” spoke volumes to them, more than Bible thumping ever would have.

Introvert Solutions

We all have different personality types and no one person has the best personality type. While we may in “a way” envy those with outgoing personalities, we DO touch the lives of those around us. Don’t try to be someone you’re not.

I will leave you with this quote from the article:

Colossians 4:6 describes the most effective approach to evangelism for introverts: Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.

God hasn’t designed introverts to be aggressive in evangelism. He made them sensitive, patient and thoughtful-characteristics that will be extremely effective in the lives of others. Our responsibility, according to this verse, is to prepare. When God brings opportunity, our responsibility is to genuinely care for that person. When that caring leads to a faith discussion, it won’t be forced. It will be a natural expression of that caring.

Recently a friend came to me and said, “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I never, ever take a nap, but on Sunday afternoons I am totally drained and can’t keep my eyes open.”

This friend is a borderline introvert/extrovert depending upon what stage of life she is in. In addition to that she is trying something new…church, which happens to meet on Sunday mornings. Basically I told her to take the nap that her body is desperately telling her to take. She is drained emotionally and physically from the number of people she is around, not to mention the information overload that is being experienced.

Introvert Solutions

Listen to your mind and body. Introverts need time to recharge from social situations so trust me, you are not alone.

I’m not even fully set up, but I had to comment about Cho Seung-Hui.

My best friend lives in Roanoke, which is just up the street from Blacksburg. I’ve traveled by the campus myself numerous times when visiting her. Blacksburg is a college town, quiet and utterly unassuming. The multiple murders took the campus, town, state and country by surprise. The incident is devastating to America. My heart and sympathies go out to each and every person affected by this tragedy.

The one thing that strikes me odd about Cho Seung-Hui is that he has been frequently referred to by the media as “a loner”, “kept to himself”, “not very social”, “difficult to understand” and the list goes on. I have no sympathy for Cho Seung-Hui himself, however I do hold issue with the labels applied to introverts via Cho Seung-Hui and the Virginia Tech Massacre.

Introversion is seen as something that is “out of the norm” and quite truthfully “weird”. These stereotypes continue to affect introverts each and every day. Just because an individual is an introvert, it does not mean that he/she is plotting the next big mass murder, especially because introverts do not corner the market in this “chosen” path. However with the stereotypes given to these diabolical individuals, it’s no wonder that the world of extroverts around us equate us as such. Don’t get me wrong, there are many introverts who are so drawn inward that they find it hard to cope with day to day problems and issues. But even the biggest extrovert experiences these matters on occasion.

So what’s the solution?

Signed,

No Cho Sympathizer Here