A Place for Each of Us

 Introverts have a hard time in today's world where people have an immediate reaction to what goes on around them.  I'm not as extroverted as I used to be, but in a way, Spiritual people are drawn into themselves.  I'm like this.  Ministry forced me into being an extrovert and I didn't like it there, probably just for that reason.  But I've learned it's okay to be introverted, but maybe not too much.  You won't find introverts on today's game shows.  And introverts aren't generally performers.  

Introverts are the IT people who work on computers all day.  But I've found smoking my pipe suits my personality quite well.  I can get lost in my own worlds from time to time.  And I know that isn't good.  And in today's world pipe smoking as a hobby isn't really going to force one to meet a lot of people who do the same.  I'm quite comfortable talking one-on-one, but not so much in groups.  

But I've found that is okay.  In fact, I am very much okay.  My wife says I need to get out more and be around more people particularly my own age, but frankly I'm not into my age group and never was.  My life pretty much involved being around kids as my sons were growing up.  And in my retail jobs I often worked alone particularly in my later working career.  

But is it okay to be introverted in today's world?  No one is out to get me or if they are, they can't harm me.  So, I'm not worried about that.  And I don't sit around worrying about death and dying, because I don't.  I don't worry about my heart or some disease ravaging my body.  As my daughter-in-law says I don't have much cause to stress.  I find the world a stressful place for me, because of the way I think.  It's my Spirituality.

But I'm thinking I need to go the gym and work out.  I probably need to involve myself in a volunteer program of some kind.  I can think of a lot of ways to get involved, but at least not here while we are in NY.  Here I can spend time with nature and not worry about it right now.  I probably need to be around people more.  We are sharing our house with two other couples right now and I'm not used to sharing a house with this many people, particularly strangers, more or less.

So, it is different here, but my wife and I have talked about what I need to do once we return to Florida.  I seem to be content writung for a few and not many.  But I get stressed by being around many, but adapt socially very well, as I have.  But it's the nature of my Spirituality that makes me different.  I seem to be content in spending time with my pipe in quiet meditatiin.  

But maybe this is just temporary.  Or I'm thinking it is.  There is a lot to be done in regard to my view of human life.  It is most important in my thinking.  And maybe more need to know.  But maybe my daughter-in-law is right.  I don't stress about things that are stressors for others and more people need to be around me.  Maybe I have a lot to offer to others.  Maybe.  And I'll learn more by being around others.  I can't spend my time just meditating smoking my pipe.  

So, we'll work on it when we get back to Florida.  I probably need to be around more extroverted people.  But right now, I'll enjoy my quiet time with nature here and then in a month we'll get back into the real world.  It is too isolated here.  I didn't want to come for that reason.  But I'll make the most of it while we are here.  I'm here to listen.  And while it seems passive, it isn't.  I'm listening.  And I'm thinking I have a lot to do when we get back and I think I'll be ready to get back.  Today it is my Dunhill pipe with Lane 1-Q and my coffee is Stumptown Holler Mountain coffee.  Thank you for your time and Peace to each one of you.

Dave