I am a loner. I have been a loner from as far back as I can remember. Even as a child. I enjoyed being by myself. I loved to read, paint, watch people and imagine wonderful adventures. Don't get me wrong. I wasn't a lonely child, nor was I without friends. I had my own set of friends - people like me, who gravitated towards me (or was it me to them). Regardless, it was a great childhood.
When I went away to college, I learned something new about myself. I found out that when I let the extrovert in me out, when I went out of my way to seek friends, that the people that I attracted multiplied tenfold. I was surrounded by friends in college - the studious ones who taught me tenacity; the wild ones that skipped classes and dragged me to the movies; the fashionistas who taught me a thing or two about style; the gourmands who opened my eyes to relishing good food; the best friends whose generosity made me enjoy vacations in their wonderful homes and the list goes on....
I realized that I had a special gift. When I wholeheartedly gave of myself - the love, loyalty and gratefulness would reflect back on me. So, I used this special gift when I got to my working life in the U.S. I made so many friends with whom I still keep in touch. In fact, most of my great job opportunities have come from friends. Yet, throughout all this, the true me is still the introvert, the loner who enjoys time alone. From time to time, I still need to turn off the phone, the chatter, the exchanges for quiet time.
Today, I realize that I need the wonderful energy of good people around me as much as I enjoy my quiet time. Surprisingly, this same feeling exists in the online world too. I visit someone's blog; love what they write; then check out their blog links and visiting their favorites; and visit more links, etc. It is a whole new world, new friends, different focuses, new direction. The comments I get on my posts are the connections that I cherish. Which reminds me....time to go check out some blogs and leave some comments (smile). Ciao!
When I went away to college, I learned something new about myself. I found out that when I let the extrovert in me out, when I went out of my way to seek friends, that the people that I attracted multiplied tenfold. I was surrounded by friends in college - the studious ones who taught me tenacity; the wild ones that skipped classes and dragged me to the movies; the fashionistas who taught me a thing or two about style; the gourmands who opened my eyes to relishing good food; the best friends whose generosity made me enjoy vacations in their wonderful homes and the list goes on....
I realized that I had a special gift. When I wholeheartedly gave of myself - the love, loyalty and gratefulness would reflect back on me. So, I used this special gift when I got to my working life in the U.S. I made so many friends with whom I still keep in touch. In fact, most of my great job opportunities have come from friends. Yet, throughout all this, the true me is still the introvert, the loner who enjoys time alone. From time to time, I still need to turn off the phone, the chatter, the exchanges for quiet time.
Today, I realize that I need the wonderful energy of good people around me as much as I enjoy my quiet time. Surprisingly, this same feeling exists in the online world too. I visit someone's blog; love what they write; then check out their blog links and visiting their favorites; and visit more links, etc. It is a whole new world, new friends, different focuses, new direction. The comments I get on my posts are the connections that I cherish. Which reminds me....time to go check out some blogs and leave some comments (smile). Ciao!
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12 comments:
I love your post today...so well stated. I have enjoyed getting to know you in blogland. Happy Monday ~Natalie
very well written! and those pink flowers are so pretty - i believe i have the same ones growing on my patio.
The "Blessed Hermit" in Me acknowledges the "Blessed Hermit" in You...Namaste.
We step out when we are good a ready.
I've always loved coming by and reading your posts. I'm an introvert, and my extrovertness comes out esp. on the web, where I want to comment back to everything I read...
I have met some very wonderful people online and through blogging. Like you I enjoy their comments, it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling to know that they cared to read my thoughts and feelings and share an interest. :)
I am also that quiet loner. It is my choice. I had a small group of friends in grade school and in high school. Some I still chat with occasionally. I had many acquaintances when my kids were growing up, but those were different. We were busy then and there were always people around. Now I am back to enjoying the solitude. I think it cycles. For me my internet friends have become my next flurry of friendships. It's definitely different, but I cherish these friendships as much as the others. Thanks for the grat post Kala!
Blogging is an loner's world, so it makes sense. Most of us like to do things, but on our own time. That's what appeals to me about it anyway.
Thanks. I so often feel in synch with who you are and what you do. I'm needing to find ways to be far less introverted these days and yet I'm on a creative path that requires long stretches of uninterrupted time writing or doing art on my computer. I'm thinking of myself as on a sort of writer's/artist's retreat at times but there comes a time when I know Paul and I need to be out and about letting people know who we are and what we're all about. Making friends and developing longterm connections, having fun. We both want it more face-to-face but a lot of the people I've met through Etsy and through blogging seem more compatible. The Internet must be the introverted extrovert's world!
i like having friends that just want to be my friend. i never had friends that were into the same things as much so much. its fun to hang out with a variety of people
You have a way with words, Kala, that gets straight to the heart of the matter.
I love reading what you write. Never stop writing.
i 'chanced' upon your blog...and I'm glad I did. I enjoyed reading what I have so far. There's an element in your writing which makes me connect with your writing, and the loner in you :)
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