Admit it! Gotcha with the puppy pic!!
I come from a family that anyone anywhere would immediately label as a massive canvas of extroverts. Oh my goodness. Walk into a group of people large or small and if a Meyer is in attendance, they are surrounded by a group of people. Not holding court necessarily...nope...we don't need that. We are more of the "There YOU are!" type of people versus "Here I am!!" (See Mama? I listened!) We love nothing more than to show up, make people feel fantastic about themselves, listen to their latest accomplishments, shower them with well-deserved kudos, and then sally off into the night. My family doesn't need accolades or attention to feel good about themselves. But man are they popular! I am astounded by it. I love watching from afar. And I mean afar...sorta. I'm the one anomaly in this gregarious, sanguine, show-me-your-latest-design clan.
I love people. I can honestly say that. I love finding out what makes them tick. What drives them? What sends them sideways? How do they get back from sideways to par normal? Tell me your greatest dream...now tell me how you are planning on getting there, because I totally believe you can if you want it bad enough! Whoa - I digressed big time. But that's just me. I am the one off in the corner of said party talking to one or two people. For a bit of time. Then I'm the one sitting at the table or on the sidelines watching the goings on, dreaming about my fuzzy slippers and endless blanket. Oh I'm enjoying myself...but we must conserve some energy! One never knows when an above mentioned family member will beckon and the need will arise to trot over and make a new acquaintance!
I actually am exaggerating a lot here. But I have noticed a difference between me and my sibs and parents. It makes us well rounded I think. Man do I ever love my family. We are a tight little unit of five that has expanded and expanded into a force of our own. No one is excluded...but I remember that it all started with 5. Mom and Dad cultivated three kids who LOVE people. Genuinely. My sister is an amazing equipper. Talk with her for five minutes and she can target where your gifts lie, what you need to truly make the best use of all those gifts, and oh by the way, I happen to know someone you should meet!! You guys would really hit it off!! My brother is a powerhouse. He defines the word "ambition." There is nothing out of his reach, and he isn't happy unless he is taking his whole company (of which he is founder and president), along with him.
And then there is me. I excel in just being me. I have my own inner drive and spirit, and love of people from all walks of life. I truly enjoy finding beauty in everyone I come across. But please people, one at a time!! And if there is a line can we make sure it is out of my sight? There...that's SO MUCH BETTER! When I'm with people I give my absolute all. I have some really amazing close close friends. Not too many, but if you are in that circle, then you know that I love keeping in close touch. By text. Nothing panics me more than for my phone to ring. (Okay. Panic is a strong word). I am much better at one on one. And if you are the one, you have my full attention. If I find myself in a crowd or gathering, there's no need to pull the rip cord, I will just need to schedule some recovery time before I go full blast again. I'm not sure I see that in my family. I think my Mama might be that way a bit, but she rarely allows herself the time. My sister actually may be closer to me on this. She is the one who years ago counseled me to look ahead on my calendar and mark a big X on a few days a month. I took her advice. That is a sacred X. It's like that day doesn't even exist. It's a stealth day. I only do the daily tasks that are absolutely necessary, like breathing, child taxiing, husband kissing, etc...you know...the fun stuff. The rest of the time is spent in recovery. Recovery to me is exercise, tidying, staring at the wall, time spent utterly ALONE. After periods of extreme productivity, being alone is such a visceral craving that I fear one day I will be the best ever of hermits.
So what is the verdict? Intro? Extro? Ambi?? Does it matter? NOPE. It doesn't. What matters is I know what I need and how to get it. And I honor that. After one of my X days I am ready to tackle the world again, and all its participants. It's how I operate. I think it's really important to pay attention to what our bodies and souls tell us. We are no good to others unless we are reaching for our own oxygen mask first. I know the holidays are coming up. When I'm with my large extended family, all the introverted feelings magically disappear. I can immerse myself in a large crowd of us for DAYS and be completely in the heavenliest of heavens. But that rarely happens. For a family such as ours, it's not often that it IS just us. So I will need to go with the flow. For I know that there will always be someone in the mix that I don't know so well, someone that will really need to be immersed in the head to toe love and acceptance that is my family. They need that love more than I need my family homogeneity. (Totally just made that word up. Does it make sense??!) I can flex. There will be X days in January!! :)
With that being said...go enjoy your life. Cultivate it to fit your specific needs. Forego the labels and do you. And as always....
....make it a great day!
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