Getting the Last Word III: Part 12/25

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Abstract

dded the characteristics of an extrovert to his personality through life experiences.I was a shy child. I felt uneasy interacting with my teachers and classmates at school. I became nervous each time I was asked to answer questions aloud. My hands trembled with fear when I presented reports and projects to my peers. My heart pounded rapidly when I played the piano at our school’s annual talent show.I initially struggled to make friends in school due to my timidness. I asked my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Marilyn, to play with me at recess on the first day of class, which she agreed to do. But when I asked her again the next day, she politely declined and encouraged me to play with my classmates. I was too embarrassed to do it, so I sat and watched them play until recess ended. It took months before I finally gained the courage to interact with them.As an adult, husband, and father nearing 40 years of age, I am still an introvert at heart. I prefer to express my ideas on paper than verbally. I prefer to spend time with small groups of people than large ones. I prefer quiet environments than noisy ones. This is who I am.Yet I have also developed some extroverted qualities. I have the gained the confidence

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to publicly express my opinions, even in the face of opposition. I have learned to address problems immediately instead of allowing them to worsen. Most importantly, I have developed the courage to speak out against injustice. Witnessing a person or group of folks being treated unfairly irks me. I am offended by racism. By sexism. By ageism. By religious intolerance. By classism.I will never hesitate to defend someone who is being harassed for simply existing. I will help you. I will fight for you. I will stand by your side.The evolution of my personality is likely to continue with age. But, no matter how my life unfolds, I love the person I am. Although I have always “liked” myself, it has taken me years to genuinely love myself.Self-love is different than arrogance, ignorance, or greed. Self-love is the acceptance of who I am. The acknowledgement of my shortcomings. The commitment to physical, mental, and emotional betterment in the future.I love my introverted characteristics. I love my extroverted characteristics. I love every part of myself.Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Write about what you consider to be the disadvantages and advantages of each.</article></body>

Getting the Last Word III: Part 12/25

Photo by Kristina Flour on Unsplash

As you probably know, I typically write about sports, humor, and parenting on Medium. But as I enter my third year as a writer on this platform, I have decided to do something a little different. Sounds fun, right?

I have discovered a list of more than 1,800 writing prompts on the Reedsy Web site. Hence, I plan to answer 25 of the prompts during a span of 25 separate articles. Although I already have my hands full with writing two long-term series on Medium — “Today’s Rant” and “The Parenting Tales of Teo” — you can think of this new project as a short miniseries intended to be spontaneous and impromptu. So, let us get started!

Writing Prompt No. 12: Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Write about what you consider to be the disadvantages and advantages of each.

I am an introvert who has organically added the characteristics of an extrovert to his personality through life experiences.

I was a shy child. I felt uneasy interacting with my teachers and classmates at school. I became nervous each time I was asked to answer questions aloud. My hands trembled with fear when I presented reports and projects to my peers. My heart pounded rapidly when I played the piano at our school’s annual talent show.

I initially struggled to make friends in school due to my timidness. I asked my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Marilyn, to play with me at recess on the first day of class, which she agreed to do. But when I asked her again the next day, she politely declined and encouraged me to play with my classmates. I was too embarrassed to do it, so I sat and watched them play until recess ended. It took months before I finally gained the courage to interact with them.

As an adult, husband, and father nearing 40 years of age, I am still an introvert at heart. I prefer to express my ideas on paper than verbally. I prefer to spend time with small groups of people than large ones. I prefer quiet environments than noisy ones. This is who I am.

Yet I have also developed some extroverted qualities. I have the gained the confidence to publicly express my opinions, even in the face of opposition. I have learned to address problems immediately instead of allowing them to worsen. Most importantly, I have developed the courage to speak out against injustice. Witnessing a person or group of folks being treated unfairly irks me. I am offended by racism. By sexism. By ageism. By religious intolerance. By classism.

I will never hesitate to defend someone who is being harassed for simply existing. I will help you. I will fight for you. I will stand by your side.

The evolution of my personality is likely to continue with age. But, no matter how my life unfolds, I love the person I am. Although I have always “liked” myself, it has taken me years to genuinely love myself.

Self-love is different than arrogance, ignorance, or greed. Self-love is the acceptance of who I am. The acknowledgement of my shortcomings. The commitment to physical, mental, and emotional betterment in the future.

I love my introverted characteristics. I love my extroverted characteristics. I love every part of myself.

Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Write about what you consider to be the disadvantages and advantages of each.