Ignorant Historian

I’m an introvert.  Many of you probably already knew this.  It’s not hard to figure out from my lack of “partying” posts and all the time I spend reading (and blogging, too).  I know those of you who know me in real life know this.

As an introvert I need time alone.  Nothing wrong with this…it’s the way that God made me.  Spending time with people is draining, and I’ve got to re-charge in a dark, quiet room, usually with a good book or an episode of Glee or any NCIS or CSI.

But as a sinful introvert, I crave time alone and overindulge.  As a part of my church’s How People Change class (great book…definitely recommend it!), we’re required to work on something in our life that needs changing for our Personal Growth Project.

At the encouragement of my extremely-extroverted future roommate (Jen), I agreed that my escapist tendencies (and the sinful underlying desires and motives) needed to be the subject of my project.

Friday was a peaceful day at the office.  The storm was over.  This should have been a relaxing day, but I found that I was rather miserable.  Why?  I didn’t take too much time to investigate the inner workings of me, as I realized I had spent the whole week focused INWARD.  Solution?  Turning my focus outwards.

This past weekend I had several social opportunities that I had initially dismissed as they weren’t “my thing.”  Once I chose this project, I quickly committed to them, and told Jen so that she’d hold me accountable.

You know what? It wasn’t so bad.  While I wouldn’t say that I enjoyed every minute of those social events, I didn’t despise them. Uncomfortable moments came…and passed.  I even added in some impromptu hangout time with roommates past, present, and future (to their great surprise).

The great thing was that it wasn’t even draining.  Yes, I was tired at the end of the weekend, but no more than I would after any normal day.  Though my feelings don’t rule me, I did feel better Sunday night after spending all weekend with people than I did Friday afternoon after spending the day alone. God indeed gives grace for the tasks He gives me.

Photo by foreverdigital

Is it just me, or has this been serious-central this week at the Ignorant Historian?  Sorry about that!  Though I never shy away from the serious stuff, I do like a good mix, but I haven’t really come up with anything light/creative/funny in a while.  If you have any ideas to get my creative/witty juices flowing, let me know!

So, in contrast of the heavy stuff, I thought today I’d share with you something that I’m REALLY not good at.  No, it’s nothing athletic, though I’m certainly not good at anything there (though in school I was always the best in the sit-ups, I’m not sure why).

No, I’m talking about how I’m really bad at appropriate verbal reactions.

I’m sure my mom taught me good manners growing up, but I must have been a bad learner.  I’ve never been good at responding “you’re welcome” when someone thanks me.  I’ve worked on it, but I’d say I’m still quite mediocre in this area.  Another problem? I forget to say “excuse me” when I bump into someone, but settle for a “sorry” a few seconds later.

This was first brought to my attention when I was staying with a host family in Oklahoma for Girl Scouts when  I was in middle school.  I was holding open the door of their house (which incidentally was your standard glass business door, as their “house” was a converted church building) for others, and when they said “thank you” I said nothing.  The host mom pulled me aside and chastised me for not saying “you’re welcome.”  I knew it was rude not to say thank you, but I didn’t know it was rude not to say “you’re welcome!”

Since then, I’ve realized that that’s not the only thing I’m bad at.  When someone asks me “How are you doing?” I often respond, “How are you?” instead of answering their question.  I don’t go to a liturgical church, but there are a few phrases you’re expected to repeat upon occasion, such as “Come quickly, Lord Jesus.”  Do I know this? Yes.  Do I want to say this?  YES!  Do I respond? No, I don’t remember to respond until everyone else is done.

A third example, if need be, is the hearing problems that I’ve had since I was little.  I do have problems, whether it be head or ear, but I’m almost certain it’s my head, since I could always pass the in depth hearing exams.  I just think I have a hard time focusing on one noise (or voice) in the many.  Side note, this is why I dislike talking on the phone, because there’s no visual for the audio.  Frequently, I would say “what?” after someone would tell me something, because I wouldn’t interpret everything they had said until a few seconds later…but by the time they repeated themselves, I figured out what they had originally said.

I am curious what you think about the “you’re welcome” thing.  Is it rude not to say it?  What if you just nod your head in acknowledgement? (I’m a little quicker at this!)