“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am an introvert, which means a natural inclination to spend time in my comfort bubble. The struggle with this is that connecting with others is also one of the joys of my life. Spending time with those I love fills my heart. Just like exercise or drinking enough water, I feel better when I engage in connecting with people. 

   As an introvert I highly encourage you to connect inward and be fulfilled by the things you love. However, Having people to love, loving people is important. Feeling different can be unsettling in a world that values sameness and when we see others living their best extroverted selves it is easy to feel odd or out of place (reinforcing just staying in the bubble). 

Over the years I have grown my connecting skillset. I am always looking for new tools.

My tool kit includes giving myself a pep talk and reminding myself that making that effort to connect with others has led me to have some pretty amazing people in my life. Many of the best experiences I have ever had are directly possible.. because I pushed past my introvert.

 I remind myself that it’s fun, funner than my hesitations.

 I accept that sometimes I have to will myself into creating and maintaining healthy relationships. I make an effort to value those that I do make a connection with and I am sincere in treating those people with every good vibe and intention that I have. I am always attempting to grow as a person, and usually that growth is an earnestness to be a force of good in the communities I am in.  

 Sometimes that work is messy, hard, tiring, and yet is also the most rewarding thing you can do. Which leads me to.. today’s wellness challenge video. Not so much a motivational speech as much as it is information I find motivational. It is a Ted talk, some of you may have seen it, The first time I saw this it connected into something my soul knows to be true.. that we are creatures that are meant to be in community, that quality relationships matter. 

So, take a watch and tell me what you think? are you an extrovert? what challenges do you find with creating meaningful relationships? what did you think of this video?

Best, 

Fran