extrovert or introvert?

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Do you consider yourself an extrovert or an introvert?

The simplest way to define these two characteristics is that an extrovert is energized by spending time with people, usually a group of people, and an introvert is energized by spending time alone or in a one on one situation.

I would have to say that I'm an introvert. There are times I enjoy being with a group of people, but I don't find it energizing. In fact, I find it draining. I'd rather spend a quiet night at home.

But I am a relational person. I enjoy the relationships I have and I enjoy making new ones. You would think a youth worker would be more of an extrovert, and most probably are. I will admit, even though I could handle a large group, I was more comfortable with a smaller one. What I thrived on was the relationships I made with each kid. So even though doing youth ministry meant working with a group of highly energetic teenagers, I focused on one or two kids at a time. And that energized me.

Thank you to Kailani of An Island Life for hosting Aloha Friday each week.

doodles

A doodle is a type of sketch, an unfocused drawing made while a person's attention is otherwise occupied. They are simple drawings which can have a meaning, a shape or just irregular forms. (source: wikipedia)

Hi, my name is Diana, and I'm a doodler. (Now in unison; hi Diana) Just take a look at my sermon notes each week, or the folder I was given at Jake's parent orientation, or my prayer journal from my Moms In Touch group. Yes, I doodle. I think there's two reasons I doodle; I am an artistic person (with schooling in graphic arts) and I'm bored. I know it's not always a matter of being bored, but sometimes it is. Some times it's the white space on a page that beckons me to fill it.

I came across a post stating there's a new study that says doodlers tend to concentrate better, learn more easily, have better memory, and are less stressed. It goes on to say that what you doodle can signify any number of deeper, psychological issues. For example, if your scribbling are thick and heavy- could mean you're having a rough day. Light and airy- maybe your day is light and airy as well. here's what some say all those lines and scribblings may mean:

Arrows: ambitious;strong personal drive
Boxes: stacked boxes- methodical; closed boxes - self-centered; open boxes- open mind.
Cats: complex; playful or aggressive?; look at the drawing itself.
Circles: self-protective
Curly-ques: very imaginative, good natured.
Dots: can mean life is not very well connected.
Eyes: you think you're good looking.... or everyone is watching you.
Faces: either you are a people person... or outgoing yet very private.
Flowers: you romantic, you.
Guns: scary
Houses: how you feel about life at home; an open front door- welcoming; closed- private; if things are weirdly drawn or there are no doors or windows- that's an unhappy home.
Intricate Patterns: meaning detailed to the max; can mean obsessive/compulsive; introverted; detail-oriented.
Name: could use a little boost in self-confidence.
Question Marks: just what you might think.
Robots: you are bored with your life and your routine.
Spider webs: complicated and high maintenance.
Stars: once again, a romantic; and a dreamer.
Trees: a tree without leaves- isolated and alone; full- so is your life.
Zigzags: life is tough right now.

How about you... are you a doodler?

life as a sponge

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Let's think about a sponge...

As a sponge is immersed in water, it soaks up the liquid. It becomes soft and pliable and easy to use. Once you take the sponge out of the water, it starts to dry out and become hard. In fact, the longer it remains out of the water, the harder it becomes. Dry, hard, eventually becoming brittle - definitely unusable for anything a sponge is designed to be used for. And the harder the sponge, the longer it takes to absorb the liquid once it is re-immersed.

Now let's think of ourselves as sponges...

... and the liquid represents the presence of God in our lives. As a sponge needs to be immersed in the water to become usable and effective, we, too, need to be immersed in a relationship with God on a regular (daily!) basis. This keeps us full of His love and filled with His spirit. It keeps us pliable and usable.

And as with the sponge, if we remain out of His presence for any great length of time, we become hard and brittle - and unusable. The longer we stay out, the longer it may take for the absorbency level to reach full potential again.

The moral to my little analogy is; remain in Him, and He will remain in you. You can only be used by Him and for His glory if you know Him, "absorb" Him, and remain in Him.

And let me leave you with one more thought...

If we are sponges,
we will naturally absorb anything we are immersed in.