theintrovertsperspective

[theintrovertsperspective]

If you’ve ever doubted yourself, walk deep into any forest. Notice how the trees still stand even though they are given no recognition. Walk along any stream. The water still flows, though no one stops to praise it. Watch the stars late at night; they shine without acknowledgment. Humans are just the same. We are made out of the same elements as these beautiful wonders. Always remember your beauty and self worth. 

[theintrovertsperspective]

Many have found that the awesome sight of the star-studded heavens evoke a sense of wonder, an awareness of the transcendence, that is charged with spiritual significance. Yet the distant shimmering of stars does not itself create this sense of longing; it merely exposes what is already there. They are catalysts for our spiritual insights, revealing our emptiness and compelling us to ask whether and how this void might be filled. Might our true origins and destiny somehow lie beyond those stars? Might there not be a homeland, from which we are presently exiled and to which we secretly long to return? Might not our accumulation of discontentment and disillusionment with our present existence be a pointer to another land where our true destiny lies and which is able to make its presence felt now in this haunting way? Suppose that this is not where we are meant to be but that a better land is at hand? We don’t belong here. We have somehow lost our way. Would not this make our present existence both strange and splendid? Strange, because it is not where our true destiny lies; splendid, because it points ahead to where that real hope might be found. The beauty of the night skies or a glorious sunset are important pointers to the origins and the ultimate fulfillment of our heart’s deepest desires. But if we mistake the signpost for what is signposted, we will attach our hopes and longings to lesser goals, which cannot finally quench our thirst for meaning.

Alister McGrath

[theintrovertsperspective]

Ending the Cycle of Hate

Something to keep in mind considering the current situation facing Missouri. No matter what the situation, hate and violence are never the solution. Far better to instead attempt to find a way to work together and heal. Hate will get you nowhere. Violence leads only to more chaos, not answers.

"The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate. So it goes. ... Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."    - Martin Luther King, Jr. 

[theintrovertsperspective]

“Like all of us, I’ve seen my share of tragic circumstances…And I’ve seen my share of cruelty, of violence, of criminal acts that sicken the heart. There are times when all this pain, all these misunderstandings, all this hatred has made me wonder if we deserve this beautiful world; if we human beings should really be left in charge of it. But if, sometimes, an unspeakable horror arises from the smallest error, I choose to believe that it’s possible for an equally unimaginable grandeur to grow from the tiniest gesture of love. I choose to believe that it works both ways. That great terror is the result of a thousand small but evil choices, and great good is the outcome of another thousand tiny acts of care.”

Laura McBride, We Are Called to Rise

[theintrovertsperspective]

A Farewell Letter to SLO

“You get a strange feeling when you're about to leave a place, I told him, like you'll not only miss the people you love but you'll miss the person you are now at this time and this place, because you'll never be this way ever again.”        

- Azar Nafisi

          I hate goodbyes. Always have. So much so that it used to be when I was at a party or other social gathering I would wait until everyone was distracted or otherwise preoccupied and I could slip away, unnoticed, without having to say goodbye. Or I would linger on to the bitter end, putting off saying goodbye for as long as I reasonably could. That’s how much I hate goodbyes. But now, as my college years draw swiftly to a close, I find myself faced with a staggering number of them. And no matter what I do or how much I wish I could put them off, I can’t avoid them. I have to say goodbye. To this wonderful town nestled on the gorgeous central coast that has become my second home. To the college and professors that have influenced me in ways I could never have imagined four years ago. And most importantly and hardest of all, to the incredible people who have made the past four years quite literally the most fulfilling and amazing time of my life. I know some people who can’t wait to be done with college, and while I’ll admit there are aspects of it I will not miss, it’s been such an amazing and exhilarating adventure that I find myself sorry that it has to come to an end. 

            Let’s start out with the town itself. San Luis Obispo. Four years ago I found myself dropped off in an unfamiliar town surrounded by a sea of people I had never met. I was at first overwhelmed and intimidated by the unfamiliarity of it all. I found myself homesick and longing for the familiar, feeling like this place could never feel like home. That I could never belong here. But somewhere along the line that changed. And while Cottonwood will always hold a special place in my heart, I can honestly say that SLO has become my second home, and a well-loved home at that. A home I am going to miss. From walking along the smooth sand beaches of Pismo collecting sand dollars to exploring the rugged, rocky coastline of Big Sur. Watching the sunrise from the top of Bishop’s or spending a Thursday evening at Farmer’s. Catching rattlesnakes out in Carrizo and feverishly studying plants in Poly Canyon. Or simply sitting silently, watching the sun set over the ocean after a hard day of backpacking, surrounded by a group of friends. I’ve had so much fun discovering and exploring all that this wonderful town and region has to offer, and I’ve made so many memories along the way that I know will stay with me for the rest of my life.

            As for all the incredible people I have met during my time here in SLO, how could I possibly sum up all that you mean to me? Over the course of the past four years, I have met some unforgettable people and forged some amazing friendships. Friendships which, I hope, will last far beyond my impending graduation. To all of you who have been kind enough to consider me a friend, who have stuck with me through the good times and the bad, through all the craziness, stress, and chaos, mere words could not express my gratitude. I could hardly have asked for a more amazing, inspirational, and just all around wonderful group of people to have shared the last four years with. You’ve not only made my time at college one of the most enjoyable and transformative times of my life, you’ve made me a better person. A kinder, wiser, more understanding, more loving person. I will never understand how I was so fortunate to be blessed with being surrounded by such an extraordinary group of friends. You all have come to mean so, so much to me, more than most of you will probably ever realize. Four years ago we were all strangers. Now I find myself wondering how I’m going to get by without seeing you all on a regular basis. It’s not going to be easy. That much I know. I’m sorry for not saying it nearly as often as I should have, but to put it quite simply, I love you all. I really do. And saying goodbye, not knowing when or if I will see you again, is going to be one of the hardest things I’ll have ever done. It feels like a piece of my heart is being left behind.

         Now we find ourselves preparing to go our separate ways. Off on our own adventures, following our dreams. My wish is that this life will bring you all that you hope for. That, at the risk of sounding cliché, you will follow your dreams, no matter how difficult or fruitless the path may seem at times. That you will take risks, make mistakes, never let failure, or the fear of it, hold you back. Discover new friends. Pursue love, in all its myriad forms, in spite of the pain it may sometimes cause you. Make for yourself a life worth being proud of. And, I hope, remember the past four years, which were hopefully as spectacular and gratifying for you as they were for me, and all the people with whom you shared them. I know I will never forget you. I hope you will never forget me. So with that, I say goodbye to this incredible town, and all the beautiful and spectacular people that made it the wonderful, amazing home it has been to me. 

“Don't be dismayed at good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends.”

- Richard Bach

[theintrovertsperspective]

Sorry for the serious lack of posts over the past few months. Between the three classes I'm enrolled in, the two classes I'm helping teach labs for, and the research I've been helping a grad student with, this quarter has quite literally been the busiest and most chaotic of college yet. But it's also been one of the most enjoyable. And I'm preparing to graduate in less than two weeks (which I will be posting about in the next few days). Anyways, sorry again for the lack of activity. Once the quarter is over and I actually have some spare time I plan on posting more often. Thanks for sticking around!

[theintrovertsperspective]

Garth Stein, The Art of Racing in the Rain

[theintrovertsperspective]

What does it mean to grow rich? Is it to have red-blooded adventures and to make a ‘fortune,’ which is what brought the whalers and other entrepreneurs north? Or is it, rather, to have a good family life and to be imbued with a far-reaching and intimate knowledge of one’s homeland, which is what the Tununirmiut told the whalers at Pond’s Bay wealth was? Is it to retain a capacity for awe and astonishment in our lives, to continue to hunger after what is genuine and worthy? Is it to live at moral peace with the universe?

- Barry Lopez, Arctic Dreams

[theintrovertsperspective]

Dean Koontz, The Darkest Evening of the Year

[theintrovertsperspective]

I know I don't usually post music to this blog, but I've always found this song to be particularly meaningful. And while I love the original, when I came across this excellent cover I figured I might as well share it. Click on the link above and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

So, so you think you can tell 

Heaven from Hell,  Blue sky’s from pain.  Can you tell a green field  From a cold steel rail?  A smile from a veil?  Do you think you can tell?  And did they get you to trade  Your heroes for ghosts?  Hot ashes for trees?  Hot air for a cool breeze?  Cold comfort for change?  And did you exchange  A walk on part in the war  For a lead role in a cage?  How I wish, how I wish you were here.  We’re just two lost souls  Swimming in a fish bowl,  Year after year,  Running over the same old ground.  And how we found The same old fears.  Wish you were here.

[theintrovertsperspective]

To the quiet ones: You’re the observers in this life, there is no requirement for it to be explained with words, you just understand. As if you’re sitting on an old brick wall, watching others go through the motions of this life. All of them experiencing their own individual realities, depending on their personal perception. You might be hushed, and some others will not be able to comprehend as to why. Perhaps deeming you detached, vacant and “in the clouds.” Little do they know there is thunder inside of you, a universe of depth, all locked up by a door, and few who own a key. Some, however, will be able to see this inner world within you, like staring through glass, and those are the souls worth seeking. If you ever feel disheartened in a rowdy place, surrounded by people, and you find yourself wordless, remember you are the most silent of strengths. We need more meaningful thoughts in this world than waggling, impulsive tongues. I admire this about you, and you should feel confident in your quiet power, it’s a gift.

Natalie Rosentia (via wallflowerbloom)

[theintrovertsperspective]

Aloneness became loneliness and the sensation was strong enough to remind me that the one thing better than solitude, the only thing better than solitude, is society. By society I do not mean the roar of city streets or the cultured and cultural talk of the schoolmen or human life in general. I mean the society of a friend or friends or a good, friendly woman. Strange as it might seem, I found that eating my supper out back made a difference. Inside the trailer, surrounded by the artifacture of America, I was reminded insistently of all that I had, for a season, left behind; the plywood walls and the dusty Venetian blinds and the light bulbs and the smell of butane made me think of Albuquerque... Certainly I was still by myself, so to speak - there were no other people around and there still are none - but in the midst of such a grand tableau it was impossible to give full and serious consideration to Albuquerque. All that is human melted with the sky and faded out beyond the mountains and I felt, as I feel - is it a paradox? - that a man can never find or need better companionship than that of himself.

Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire

[theintrovertsperspective]

Sometimes we get sad about things and we don’t like to tell other people that we are sad about them. We like to keep it a secret. Or sometimes, we are sad but we really don’t know why we are sad, so we say we aren’t sad but we really are.

Mark Haddon, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

(via asdfghjkllove)

[theintrovertsperspective]

[theintrovertsperspective]

"How to Care for an Introvert"

[theintrovertsperspective]

I want to taste and glory in each day, and never be afraid to experience pain; and never shut myself up in a numb core of nonfeeling, or stop questioning and criticizing life and take the easy way out. To learn and think: to think and live; to live and learn: this always, with new insight, new understanding, and new love.

Sylvia Plath, The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath

[theintrovertsperspective]

Being a Social Introvert: It's Not an Oxymoron

“Introverts don’t get lonely if they don’t socialize with a lot of people, but we do get lonely if we don’t have intimate interactions on a regular basis.”

-         Sophia Dembling

Being an introvert, one gets used to people having certain stereotypes about them. In my opinion, one of the most prevalent of said stereotypes is that they really don’t like to spend all that much time around other people, aren’t overly social, and really would just like to keep to themselves. While this may hold true for some, for many (myself included) it’s a little more complicated than that. For while it is true that I greatly value my solitude, few things in this life make me happier than spending quality time with those I care about. While it may seem like a bit odd and contradictory to some, I am very much an introvert yet I love socializing.

The thing is, as an introvert the type of socializing that I prefer differs from the type of many of my peers. You see, I much prefer to socialize one-on-one or in small groups with people I already know, or have at the very least already met. So when one of my friends invites me over to a party they are hosting and I find out they’ve also invited 100+ other people, the vast majority of whom I don’t know, chances are pretty good I’m not going to attend. Not because I don’t appreciate the invite or the fact that they want to hang out with me, and not because I don’t feel like hanging out with them, but simply because large, rambunctious parties full of people I don’t know just aren’t my thing. Never really have been.

And therein lies the problem. While most of my peers seem to relish the prospect of a wild party or hanging out in an obscenely loud bar at one in the morning on a Friday night, packed in like sardines with dozens of strangers, I find it to be completely repulsive and something to be avoided at nearly all costs. I’d much prefer grabbing dinner or going downtown with several of my closer friends for a quiet, laid-back, relaxing evening of good food, meaningful conversation, and merely enjoying each other’s company. Which I realize probably seems dreadfully boring to most people my age.

I’ll admit, I’m usually not the one who makes the plans (though I’m trying to work on that). It’s really just not in my personality. For some reason I find it strange and difficult to ask people to take time out of their schedules to do stuff with me. And it’s rather frustrating that on the rare occasion that I do try and put something together, many times whatever my plan was ends up morphing into a situation I never wanted it to turn into in the first place. Suddenly my plan for a quiet dinner and drink downtown with a few friends turns into a late-night bar-crawl. Because that’s how other people prefer to socialize. Their plan seems more fun. But what they don’t realize is that I probably would have preferred the original plan, which is why I made it that way in the first place.

As a result of all this, I often end up finding myself at a difficult cross-road. Do I accept the party invites and go into a situation in which I sacrifice my comfort for the sake of getting to hang out with my friends?  Or do I put what I want first and stay home at the risk of people thinking I don’t like them and thus don’t want to spend time with them. My goal is finding balance between the two, where I can spend time with the people I care about in an environment I’m comfortable with, and everyone, introvert and extrovert alike, can enjoy themselves. Unfortunately that seems to be easier said than done. So if you happen to invite me to one of your big parties, please do not take offense if I don't show up. And if I do invite you along to something I have planned, please don't try and turn it into something else entirely. Finally, please keep in mind that I like to keep things low key for a reason. It's just how I'm the most comfortable. And really all I want is to be able to enjoy the company of my friends, which is something I do best on a smaller, quieter scale.