Such a lovely post, Hiro. What rhythms are you finding to step in and out of the dance?
Mahala´s last post … Meditation, Illumination and Plato’s Cave

Thanks for this post – it was beautifully written.
Bullwinkle´s last post … Yay! So many things to be happy about !!!

I find that when I need to go out and do the “community” things, which can be very rewarding, I need to renew my spirit and recharge. And I can only do that with quiet time.

Sometimes it gets so noisy, even when no one is speaking.

I live on this tiny island in Puget Sound for a reason. I can commune with the animals and that feeds my soul. I can write and look down at the lake and that brings me peace.

Thank you for this introspective post, Hiro.

P.S. I hit the “unsubscribe” button today, but only because I wanted to sign up with a special email address so your posts don’t get lost in all my crazy business email. (Didn’t want you to think that I was leaving!)

It’s always inspiring to read your musings, here or elsewhere.

I can relate to this – however, what I need is not solitude, but rest. I like being around people, but at the moment I don’t have a chance to recharge. I am drained.

This has inspired me to look deeper into my need, and maybe, for once, attend to it.

Much love
Tatty
TattyFraney´s last post … Moving meditation – sword dance

Oh I can relate….we are introverts in an extrovered world.

Literally, introverts make up a significantly smaller part of the population. So the world around us is pretty much designed by extroverts, for extroverts.

*sigh*

How I deal with this (some days better than others)

I acknowledge that I get my energy from solitude and/or meaningful 1:1 connections.

The day begins and ends with time in silence. Listening within. I try and go back to that inward place throughout the day — that’s my point of connection.

The internet helps. I can be “out there” and am learning it’s not so scary.

Mostly, I “meeting” amazing, like minded kindreds online.

Seems introverts like to blog a lot!

Maybe we’ve found our place to be with others.

As an introvert though, I can get too hermity and weird if I don’t get out and mingle in the world. This takes effort. I’ve spent months at a time alone. I like it. But it can get isolating.

Since we are not living in a very introvert-conscious society in North America, I guess we have to work a bit to find out how to be in the world in ways that support us.

I’m glad I found you and your blog!
Lisa Sonora Beam´s last post … RE: Grow Your Biz with these Rock Stars

In a world where one is supposed to be ‘productive’ as in producing something with monetary value at all times, taking time to reflect, recharge or for solitude is construed at laziness.

Yet honoring my need for solitude is essential to creativity and anything like balance in my life.

Thank you for writing such a lovely post to remind me of that.
Elly´s last post … Memoir as process: Self reflection

I love that you are so open–even when you’re writing about, in a way, not being so open.

Your work has inspired so many epiphanies for me. (The last one being just yesterday afternoon!)

Thank you for modeling this & writing this!

I’ve barely started learning about how strongly I need times of introspection and seclusion.

It’s a slow process of learning to accept that I function better when I give myself what I need – and that needing seclusion does not mean I’m defective.

Just this week I’ve been feeling a growing pressure to hurry up and write a blog post.

The ideas are there, but they’re just not ready to be written out.

At times like this, I can see how much I’ve grown. Now, although the frustration is there, it’s not so intense, and I’m certainly not devolving into tantrum mode over it.

So grateful to be learning my own rhythms, at last.
Victoria Brouhard´s last post … When Selves Collide