Why You Might Not Be an Introvert

Why You Might Not Be an Introvert

It seems more and more people say: “I am an introvert.”

“I am such an introvert I don’t like talking to people.”

“Oh Ann, I could never speak in front of groups, I am too introverted.”

Introversion was originally just the way a person re-energized. It meant that you were best energized when alone, in a quiet space. Extroverts are energized by being around people, even if not talking.

I am an introvert. After speaking, I need alone time to re-energize.

These days it seems like anyone who struggles with social engagement is introverted. I believe that many people just haven’t learned good social interaction. We are too reliant on our IM, PM, email, social media to engage others. We no longer know how to do that.

But that isn’t introversion.

Losing Your Home to Fires

Losing Your Home to Fires

Thousands of people have lost their homes to massive fires in the Napa and Sonoma counties. Mother nature takes homes devastatingly all the time. Hurricanes are another example.

It’s interesting when an entire neighborhood is wiped out how quickly our human nature is to help in any way we can. Places to stay, supplies, money, even rentals long term, and rebuilding when it’s needed. We rally as group when entire neighborhoods lose everything. It’s quite powerful to watch.

Interestingly, almost 400,000 homes are lost to fires in the USA every year. Families displaced, lost, and figuring out what to do next. Very few rally. So few show up with places to stay, supplies, money, or helping to rebuild when it’s needed.

As someone who’s been through it, I know. I hope when extreme devastation isn’t present we might think more about how we can reach out to help someone individually. To pay attention to the 5 mile radius that is our “hood.“ To be willing to help individual families and the devastation they might be going through. That would make the world even more powerful.

Relationships and Napa/Sonoma Wine Country

Relationships and Napa/Sonoma Wine Country

I’m sure it’s making world news regarding the Napa and Sonoma firestorms. I live very close to where all of this is happening, and my husband and I have deep relationships threaded throughout the entire area. We have built and nurtured them over 20 years.

Unless you are here, I don’t know that the devastation can fully be understood. But for many people, including us, there is a deep sadness based on what’s happening.

Many people are sad because they have memories that were created here. People have met the love of their lives in the wine country, partied like rock stars, many were proposed to, or had the bachelor and bachelorette parties there, even weddings and renewal vows.

My husband and I have reclaimed our love many times in this part of the world. So I understand other peoples sadness in seeing a winery burn down or the vineyards gone. Because with that comes the many memories that are happy and positive for people.

As I write this, one of our most favorite romantic places to stay is in the path of fire.

And I am not discounting the devastation that thousands and thousands of people are having. I’m just expressing what you might see from others.

We personally have friends whose dreams we’ve watched come to life over the last 20 years. It is a place where those kind of things happen all the time.

This tiny part of the world is special for many, and we are grieving too.

My Personal Challenge with Healing Energy

My Personal Challenge with Healing Energy

I’m a big believer in energy and the flow and movement of energy. I understand that it is also connected in my body and I must be willing to heal that flow. I would prefer Eastern medicine techniques over Western medicine techniques, however I’ve had a personal challenge with Eastern techniques.

I feel that the modality leaves me hanging after they “clear“ the energy. For example, acupuncture has the belief system that pain is caused because nerve energy is no longer sending a signal to the brain to heal. After a session when he says: “yes I saw it release and reconnect,“ I often ask: “what should I do to help that connection?”

There is no response.

Shouldn’t there be something I can do after the session to help improve that connection?

I’ve had the same experience with energy workers over the years. They “unblock” my energy flow. I can feel it. It’s zooming through my body, almost an out of control feeling. And again when I ask what to do, there is no response.

I guess I need a more holistic approach?! I’m just not sure what that looks like.

A Regret…

A Regret…

Last night my husband and I watched the first episode of the second season of “This is Us.” A part of the story line was about adopting. As it unfolded, his wife recommended that they adopt unwanted teenagers in their community versus a newborn baby from another country.

This made me extremely emotional. I am a big believer that we cannot live our best life with any regrets, and part of being able to do that is to come to peace with decisions that are made. 

There is only one time in my life where I felt like a “higher power” spoke to me. That voice said that I was meant to adopt unwanted teenagers. For reasons that don’t really matter to the story, that never happened. And I thought I was at peace with the decision.

Last nights episode made me extremely emotional. Which told me that I have a regret I need to work through. I have to become at peace with the decision that has been made. To be able to do this, I have to look at my purpose, vision, and values. I have to see how decisions I have made have served me greatly.

I look forward as the season unfolds and how I heal myself.