Upon meeting me, I imagine that it’s easy to determine that I am a raging extrovert: I’m energetic, lively, friendly and outgoing. I love talking to people and finding out about them, especially trying to understand their personal goals, challenges and values. I’m thankful that my fairly introverted parents intentionally focused their attention on ensuring I grew up to be confident and sociable, and I know that some things in life have been made easier by these personality traits: job interviews, work functions, even moving to another country!
Extroverts garner their energy from other people; from interactions and observations in their external environment, whereas introverts source their energy from time spent alone, or in one-on-one situations. Very few people are completely extroverted or completely introverted; we all sit somewhere along the scale, defined by our comfort level and tolerance of being with others. My introverted friends claim life is much simpler for the extroverts, as social situations do not cause anxiety and extroverts are never judged for their inability to schmooze or their nerves when having to speak in front of people. However, my extroverted friends are quick to remind introverts how exhausting it can be to be “the life of the party”; the person who is relied upon to keep the conversation going and maintain the morale and energy level of the team.
Perhaps the idea of extroverts needing a Chosen Few friends seems contrary to being an extrovert? Thanks to social media, our circles of “friends” have increased exponentially and we feel connected to people we hardly know. I mean, I know where you’ve been on holiday for the past 10 years, what your children wear to school every day and what you’re eating for dinner most nights; how can you think I don’t really know you? But the real time we spend connecting in meaningful dialogue is decreasing as our lives become overcommitted and filled with “busyness”.
I believe that regardless of our level of extroversion, we all need a Chosen Few individuals who understand and support our passions and priorities, who love us and do not judge us, and who will speak up and challenge us when we appear to be veering off our selected path. Many of our Chosen Few will come and go during the various “seasons” of life, and I remain grateful to the people who were by my side, literally and figuratively, during some transformative times – you have helped shape me into the person I am today and I’ve got some incredible memories. And thanks to the current Chosen Few: for always listening and encouraging me on my journey, and for not laughing when I said I wanted to start a blog!
“Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It’s splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world” ~ Anne Shirley (Anne of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery)
My Chosen Few 