Inverting the introvert

Hello introverts/extroverts

People say that a smile and or friendliness costs you nothing.  I don't know so much.  I think it takes courage and an inner peace to be able to smile and not care what people think.  Today I greeted two people at the lodge that we are staying at and well, ''look how pretty that wall is''...  Something else must've been more interesting to them, like the wall maybe or the roof or just silence.  Friendliness costs you something.  It takes risk.  It takes courage but when you do it it does something for you.  To give is to gather.  We do it for others when we really are getting a greater return on it. 

I must say I can really live in my own world without articulating what is going on in my head.  There are times when I think good thoughts about people but don't share it.  But sometimes sharing what you are thinking does so much good.  Intimacy is a big thing for me.  I suppose that ''gaurd your heart" has been inscribed into my mind.  I find it difficult to look into a beautiful human beings eyes and let them know my thoughts.  I have to feel very safe.  I need to know that they are going to give me sound advice.  The list goes on... But back to the point, sometimes stepping out of your thought life into real life is freeing and liberating. Writing has become a tool for me to express what I feel and helps me to make sense of what is going on in and around me.  So, I hope you don't mind.

Whilst I have been away in Namibia my dad seems to make friends with strangers very easily, from the lady at reception, to people walking past, to the lady at the till, to the beggar or a small child.  He is not afraid of chatting to a cute little baba in their gaga doodo language.  He will walk into a room and begin to chat about the country, the weather, sport or what ever comes to his mind.  When he leaves everyone is smiling and everyone feels closer.  He is good at breaking the awkwardness and making some awkwardness for me ;) Me on the other hand, I sit, look, listen maybe make a peep.  At times I get rather embarressed but my dad reminds me that they are people too just like him and I. 

In 1 Peter 3 it speaks of always having an answer for those who don't know about Christ.  It also says that we should do this in gentleness and with respect.  Scripture also says that our conversation should be seasoned with salt and grace. We can't do this if we are so wrapped up in our own world.  We can't do this if we are afraid.  We can't give answers if we are afraid to speak (Yes, I am speaking to myself here). Don't be afraid to speak to people.  Random conversation could always lead to something deeper.  When you speak do it with so much love and kindness without compromising the truth.  For those of you who are like me maybe we should invert our introvert ways to resemble something of that of an extrovert. 

I dare myself:
to be more open to strangers
to be friendlier
to smile and to
speak with grace and love

Love,
Sarah ***