I want the t-shirt that said, "You read my t-shirt. That's enough interaction for today" LOL
I got a t-shirt for my introvert son that said "I don't want to draw any special attention to myself". It was his favorite shirt. I am also an introvert.
Are You Raising An Introvert?
by darth frosty 172 Replies latest jw friends
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fakesmile
thanks for bringing this back. excellent article.
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darth frosty
ynotbttt
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Band on the Run
We took the Meyers-Briggs test at church. My sister and I never had the relationship i would like. She appeared to hate me. It turned out that I am highly extroverted, described as a Field Marshall in the text, and she is highly introverted. We don't hate each other. Rather, we have very different ways of navigating the world. She is so quiet. I feel I should be paid to make conversation. There would be no conversation were it not for my efforts. Now I see how I can view the world in new ways through her intake.
I must admit I am envious of sisters who shop together,hang together. She prefers to be alone. Her natural retreat can annoy me but then I am certain my chatter bothers her. Lawyers were asking other lawyers for their opinion. She has differentt takes on matters that I am so certain about.
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Xanthippe
I have been reading Quiet, the power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking by Susan Cain. Really interesting, she says that western cultures value people who can talk and who are bold and extrovert and they dismiss introverts as shy and insular. Eastern cultures have very different values.They value people who can think a problem through without quite so much noise.
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Apognophos
I often feel like I'm a cat in a world full of dogs.
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Band on the Run
I think the lesson is not that an introvert or extrovert is a better way of being. Both are ends on a spectrum. Society functions best when we value both ends. Whatever happened to strong, quiet men as leaders. One side alone is blind to the wholeness of the world. There is no doubt that quiet thought is not popular. I cringe when I meet someone casually and I hear an elevator speech. There is a subtle difference between brashness and letting your light shine.
There was an associate when I started who was very much an introvert. He scored the highest grade in every class. Everyone liked him. He had about two friends. I think he chose the wrong field. Perhaps there was a niche perfect for him. I could see him teaching if someone forced him.
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warehouse
Darth,
First of all, thanks for bumping this old and good thread, and posting those articles. I myself am an INTJ. Not only do I struggle with my introversion because of the parasitic nature of extroverts, but I also find difficulty with my strong judging aspect. As a judger, I seek closure, definite plans, and concrete actions. This is in direct contrast with the perceiver type that can keep their options open, multi-task effortlessly, do mindless repetitive tasks, and can talk aimlessly for hours about absolutely nothing.
Being a JW does absolutely nothing to help me in these areas. I find myself drained and exhausted after each meeting, and in recent years assemblies and conventions have become chaotic events that need a weeks preparation for me to produce enough energy to offset what I will inevitably loose at these occasions. And field service??? LOLOLOLOL, I've never, and don't think ever in the future will I posses a zeal, exuberance, or honest desire for the “organizational ministry”. Dating is another epic fail zone for me. Not only am I part of a zealot based elitist religion that views marriage as dishonorable, but I have no desire or appetite for the endless and quite often ambiguous dating rituals. I couldn’t small talk a chick, even if my life depended on it. Oh well, there’s always porn . . . lots and lots of porn . . . so sad.
Don’t fret, there is a very positive side to all of this, and I’ve only really appreciated it recently, though if I look back on my life it has been there the whole time. In the second article posted by Darth at the outset of this thread, it enumerates five key areas where introverts excel, and these five areas translate into JW leadership gold. Since the majority of R&F are made up of leeching extroverts who can’t create, need constant stimulus, and are fanatical about upholding all the pharisaical rules of the organization, they ultimately fail at spiritual progression (Heb 5:12). They don’t meditate, reflect, hold their words, have patience, or true discernment (Prov 10:19). I’d say the majority of the CO/elder/ministerial servant group is extroverts concerned with an outward display of faith (Mark 12:38-40).
Now enter the introvert. I have built an INSANE amount of respect, and dare I say even awe, by saying just one or two things (Isa 50:4). I have found that it is indeed an impressive thing to use silence to judge, and draw out peoples ideas and thoughts (Prov 20:5). When I read the Bible from the platform, I can hear a goddamn PIN drop in the back lobby. By precisely timing very carefully thought out comments, a bland watchtower discussion and an aimless conductor are suddenly invigorated with ideas, and encouragement (1Cor 9:26). And when I read threads like this that highlight value of introverts, I can’t help from feeling a certain ping of responsibility because I know I too am introverted and sensitive (Jas 3:13). So for all of my complaining and worries, I feel that as an introvert, my strengths greatly outweigh my weaknesses, especially when it comes to leading by example, and encouraging others. As you can see, I have reflected on myself and the bible very closely, intimately, as a lot of introverts are sure to be able to do. Through the struggles of being associated with the WTBS and all it’s nonsense, my personal life and everything, the words at Jas 1:22-25 have always helped me, and those around me.
I would love to hear others comments on being an introvert, especially if you are still in the JW religion, and even more so if you were born in. Thanks for taking the time to read this, (and the scriptures if you even bothered . . . pssh, I know, the bible, right?) Feel free to give your opposing views as well; I only progress when I listen to and embrace strong, logical criticism.
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jgnat
My psychologist girlfriend, a fellow introvert, shared her insight that introverts may rather be hypersensitive to social interaction. If so, the hoary advice for the lonely to simply "get out there" is far too simple. She got this thought from:
Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection, John T. Cacioppo (Author), William Patrick (Author)
P.S. I think both my children are introverts to varying degrees. I consider myself an introvert even though I am highly socialized. I married an extrovert, of course. What was our household like? Quiet, LOL. Even though we do manage to get a lot of talking in.
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a watcher
I'm an introverted JW single sister and I'm quite content. I sit in the same seat near the corner of the KH every meeting and have a couple of close friends, also introverts. We call ourselves 'the three amigas'. One is my field service buddy and we go out almost every Saturday. The other one sits with me at the meetings and sometimes joins us for field service. I refuse some privileges because it would mean too much contact with others. CAs and RCs are uncomfortable for me, but I go to encourage my friends. I spend most of my time at home nurturing my relationship with Jehovah and telling Him how wonderful He is (He loves that!).