Drew and I live a very busy life. We are usually home just long enough to sleep each night. We rarely come straight home after work and we are never around on the weekends. We are thankful to be surrounded by family and friends who want to spend time with us and keep us busy.
Last week, I was able to go to Clearwater Beach, FL for a conference. In order to understand my experience, you must first understand my personality. According to the Myers Briggs Foundation website, extroverts "like getting their energy from active involvement in events and having a lot of different activities. They are excited when they are around people and like to energize other people. They generally feel at home in the world and often understand a problem better when they can talk out loud about it and hear what others have to say." This certainly describes my personality type.
I had a very difficult time the first day/night at the conference. I wanted to talk to people. I wanted to have dinner with others and I wanted to make new friends. Everyone seemed to already know each other and I was left by myself.
Most people would appreciate the opportunity to walk alone on the beach, spend some time alone in a hotel room, and just escape from the world for a while. I, however, felt anxious and nervous about my alone time.
As the week progressed, I began to enjoy the time alone. I realized that we fill our lives with so many activities that we do not take the time to really think, reflect, and pray. After the conference each day, I enjoyed sitting on the beach, listening to the waves roll in as I reflect upon the blessings in my life. I was able to take a deep breath and relax for the first time in a long time.
I'm still not good at alone. However, I believe that even my extroverted self needs to seek out time to really enjoy the blessings of quiet peacefulness. It is in these moments that I can really understand my life, my God, and myself.
