Prompted by my reading of Quiet by Susan Cain, this week we’ve explored introverts and extroverts their distinctive and their qualities. Including:

I Buy Coffee

An Introvert?!?

Introvert’s Confusion

And, Are YOU An Introvert or Extrovert?

Whether you’re a parent, a brother or sister, an aunt, uncle or neighbor, you know children. And, if you’re like me, quiet children can be a mystery.

Today, I’d like to let Susan Cain’s insights on introvert children speak for themselves. Oh, wait – let me say this first – my favorite quote from her about children is: “Don’t just accept your child for who she is; treasure her.”

Are You An Introvert or Extrovert (And Why Does It Matter)?

Do you ever wonder where you fall on the introvert-extrovert spectrum?
Here is the place to assess yourself.

This quiz from Susan Cain’s QUIET: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking will help you self-assess.

This weekend my dear – and very pregnant – friend Angi had a baby shower.

“Pumpkin seed” is Angi’s first.
This was also my first baby shower.

I know husbands, boyfriends, significant others and the like who have attended baby showers, but I never had.

I was feeling a variety of feelings as the moment to leave for the party arrived:

I’m thinking through what this means for me today, tomorrow, and my tomorrows.

What does the Lord your God require of you?
He requires only that you
fear the Lord your God,
and live in a way that pleases him,
and love him
and serve him with all your heart and soul.
- Deuteronomy 10:12, NLT

Did you have a busy Memorial Day weekend?
Did you have a hard time cranking it back up yesterday at work or school?
Me too.
I was late to my first two meetings as I tried to resume my weekday timeliness.

So what can you do when stress levels rise?

STOP

A few years ago Elisha Goldstein on psychcentral.com offered four simple, helpful stress relieving tips.

Next time you find your mind racing with stress, try the acronym S.T.O.P.

S – Stop what you are doing, put things down for a minute.

I know that this has happened to you.  Today it happened to me.

The clock showed “10:41″,  I relaxed, settled in and took a deep breath.  I had time.  No need to rush.

I did a couple quick things that needed to get done, took a quick glance at the clock, “Wow, I’m really efficient today.”

Then.  Then!  THEN!  I thought to myself, that was too efficient.  I checked another clock, “11:16″!

Noooooo!  The clock had stopped!

Panic

My leisurely lunch deadline, now became my dead spring lunch deadline.

Football players cleaning out their lockers feel it.
Presidential hopefuls reviewing the debates feel it.
American Idols wannabes and coulda-beens feel it.

What is “it”?  Self- pity.  Self-doubt.  The curse of “if only.”

Don’t let self-pity take you down!

You are lovable even when your flaws are exposed.
You are capable even when you make mistakes.
You are worthwhile even when you’re struggling to believe it.

Somewhere there is someone that values you abilities.
Somewhere there is someone that sees your talents.
Somewhere there is someone that needs your skills.

I sat down in a coffee shop today.  A young professional to my left.  Another man to my right.  One sat with a beverage, a laptop and fine clothes.  The man to my right sat wearing shabby, unkempt clothes, with nothing in front of him.

Those of you who know me well probably laughed: a) that I noticed; and b) that someone dressed less “casually” than I did.

I thought I’d be nice.  After setting down my stuff, I said to the man on my right, “You don’t have a beverage, can I buy you one?”  He said, “No, thank you.”  I walked to the counter.  Five minutes later he left.