Introverts and Hoops

I can be in a roomful of people and feel so alone.  I know I should go up and talk to someone.  If I do though they may not engage in a conversation with me.  They may only talk all about themselves.  They may walk away.

So I stare at my phone, or look awkwardly around the room.  I get up and walk. 

The problems of an introvert.  I want to be included but I also don't.

But I must not be defined by my personality bents.  I can change, I can grow.

So I say hello to someone.  I ask them a question about themselves.  I listen.  Even if the conversation doesn't ever get back around to me, that's ok.  Maybe I'm the listening ear to another introvert that needs to talk.

I have to push myself to get out of my comfort zone.  Thankfully, I am married to an extrovert so he stretches me to get out of my own little world.

I also love the hoop.  It stretches me so much to get out there and just BE! 

Be me.

Be free.

Be who I want to be.

To some, it's just a silly little toy that makes me a "hippy".  But to me, it's real.  It's life changing.  It's a tool to help me get out of my introvert head.

So if you see someone sitting alone.  Gather up your courage and go say hello.  Ask their name.

If you see me hooping, give me a smile and some encouraging words.  It goes a long way.  It makes me bolder for my next people-y encounter.

Did it happen if I didn't post it?

We had a fabulous fourth of July!  Danced, hooped, listened to live bands, swam, rode bikes!  And to end the fabulous day, we watched amazing fireworks over Lake Carolyn from our rooftop pool.  Just absolute bliss. Ahhh...

While we were watching the fireworks, some people came over and stood by the pool.  They messed with their phones for a good five minutes. Then they videoed the fireworks for a few minutes, took a few selfies with the fireworks behind them, messed with their phones some more..and then they were all , "Ok, yall ready to go?" Then they left!  The fireworks show wasn't even over yet!

They missed the majority of the experience because they were on their phones.

So, in this day and age, does it actually happen if it's not posted on some social media outlet?

People nowadays, it seems, would rather just post that they did something cool, than actually experience it.

Now I'm all for social media and keeping in touch, blah blah blah.  But a lot of times, I just sit and experience it.  I don't need a picture.  I don't need to post it anywhere.  I just like to have fun, people watch, watch the fireworks.  Just have my own thoughts.

It's a lost art really.

Just being in the moment.

If there's ever a moment of down time, or standing in a line, out pop people's phones.

Look up!  Not only is "text neck" an actual thing, but there is a whole world going on around you.

An actual world.  Where real people with real feelings and emotions are.  Where real nature and beauty are right in front of your eyes.

Enjoy the moment.  Look up.

What if I didn't post it, or take a picture of it?  What if I didn't have my phone with me?  Would it still be fun?

Try it and see!  😊