Introverts v Extroverts 101

Here are a few things you need to know if you are going to compare Introverts v Extroverts (which you shouldn't but lets be realistic)

1. Introverts get energy from themselves. For within their being. Extrovert get energy from outside interaction, interaction with people.

2. (I hate to write this) Introverts are often shy but please remember that the two are completely different. Extroverts are often sociable. (Well thank you Sherlock)

3. Introverts are different in public and private. (I wrote a post about Uchibenkei, which is a Japanese word which basically means being the lord of the manor in private while being reserved outside the house. The extrovert on the other hand are the same in public and private.

4. In a large group, our two friends are like chalk and cheese. An introvert is quiet while an extrovert is invariably the life and soul of the party.

5. An introvert will have a few lose friends (but please bare in mind that these friends will do anything for our introverted mate.). An extrovert will have a large number of friends.

6. An introvert can concentrate for a long time in low-key places while an extrovert is easily distracted by shiny objects and the new cool thing.

7. An introvert will think before he or she says anything. They will go over that telephone call a number of times in their head before dealing. They will imagine conversations in their head before they occur. The extrovert tends to think out loud.

8. An introvert will tend keep his or her emotions hidden. Sometimes you can't tell if they are interested in what you are saying or not. Extrovert like to unload their emotions. they want everyone to know.

There you go. There are some differences. They shouldn't be taken as gospel, just that it gives you some rough idea about introverts and extroverts.

Is Spock an Empath?

Recently I have been reading about empaths. It is something that I had seen a lot on the Internet and books and online articles but I didn't really understand what it meant. So I started digging around.

I'm currently reading this book by Barrie Davenport. Admittedly I'm only half way through it but it talks about Highly Sensitive People or as she calls them (us), HSPs. It also talks about empaths.

Early on in the book I could really identify with parts of what she was saying about HSPs especially when you almost take it personally when your parents are arguing/fighting etc.

I remember a couple of times my mother and father going for it and I didn't like it at all. It was almost scary. I don't know what was scarier the fact that they were asking all the idea that I had in my mind that, that was it and divorce was on the cards. (They are still happily married by the way. It seems their relationship has got stronger as they have got older.)

By reading this book, it made me aware why I had that reaction and I would like to thank Ms. Davenport for that.

What is an empath?

According to the dictionary on my computer, an empath is a person with the paranormal ability to apprehend the mental or emotional state of another individual and then it was prefaced by (chiefly in science fiction).

WHAT?

Does that mean that Mr. Spock is an empath?  I suppose that is a question for another post.

Ms. Davenport says that an empath is a person with a series of behaviours and traits that reflect a heightened ability to feel the feelings of other people. WOW! That is definitely outside of my knowledge bank.

Can you identify with an HSPs or an empath? I'm sure some of you can.