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Angie Mc
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Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Aug 22 2012 at 4:55pm | IP Logged
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We all know we need to love God and love our neighbors. Both. Sounds easy enough, but wow it is the work of a lifetime!
When the kids were younger it was all I could do to take care of them and my basic duties. This time in my life must be one with a bit more emphasis on loving my neighbor. I like to think that small encounters with strangers, courtesies with acquaintances, generosity with friends, and a variety of other engagements & relationships somehow isn't about just me, but also about them. At that moment they may need me. I like to think that the lady I made laugh today in the hotel lobby enjoyed the moment. I really, really, hope little gestures aren't all that little  .
I think the key is to look at a whole long lifetime, God willing - to find peace in each season and be willing to adjust as God calls us.
I'm super grateful to know all of you lovely, thoughtful, faithful women  .
Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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JodieLyn
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Well I'll have to be one of the anomolies. I like meeting people and chatting about nonessentials. I'm an extrovert and I find it rather relaxing. Of course when it's something that requires me to take everyone it requires a good bit of work but my kids are mainly extroverts and love to go out and get to visit as well so they help a lot. But I guess I don't really care for a lot of small talk but so often I can find something to chat about. Food. Talked with an older lady at church on Sunday about The Lord of the Rings and using a kindle. Stuff that is more getting to know people than what's normally "small talk".
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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Erin
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| Posted: Aug 22 2012 at 5:09pm | IP Logged
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Lara
I've been thinking about your post since you started it, in fact I've been thinking about this topic for some time now. I'd like to share some random thoughts, they are me thoughts, directed at me. Just random thoughts that float around and around in my head.
Around the age of 40 I found I really was happy to hunker down at home. Now keep in mind I was an extrovert so this was a change. But also around this time I was severely hurt by the loss of a very close friendship with no explanation or apparent reason. So did this contribute towards my hunkering, I'm pretty certain it did. Could this be the case for others nearing 40, we've been hurt a few too many times? I don't know, random wonderings.
But then in my desire to hunker down I wonder about my children, about my modelling, is this a good thing? I have one older child who is an introvert by nature (God created her that way, all good) but... I know it has been good for her to have a mother who has modelled how to network, who has occasionally encouraged her to push her boundaries (as I do for myself too). So if I follow my desire to hunker in would I be doing my younger children a disservice in modelling? I don't know, but I guess that is what keeps propelling me out the door at this stage.
Anyhow please realise this sharing is all about me, my thoughts, about where I am at, for me. I'm such a babe in the woods about all this, just turned 40 you know 
Thanks for starting such an interesting discussion.
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Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
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mamaslearning
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Erin,
You make some good observations. I haven't experienced many hurts, but I've battled panic attacks for several years and maybe I'm just tired of being misunderstood. I've tried my hardest not to let this this disorder turn me into a cave dweller, but being in large crowds take so much concentration on NOT being panicky that I appear to be aloof or boring. In reality I'm trying to stifle the voice in my head that's telling me to "run away or you'll pass out". 
Jodie,
I bet we're getting more introverts talking because this is a way to socialize without getting overwhelmed! I have a friend that gets so energized by what I consider to be stress - always on the run, always meeting people, having parties, etc. She wears me out just talking to her! 
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Lara
DD 11, DS 8, DS 6, DS 4
St. Francis de Sales Homeschool
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SallyT
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| Posted: Aug 22 2012 at 10:15pm | IP Logged
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Yes! This is the great thing about the internet -- a way for introverts to socialize.
I hope your panic attacks will pass, Lara. I had horrible ones during the first years of perimenopause. I hate to think how much life I lost just being consumed with fear about . . . essentially nothing, but it sure seemed real to me at the time. Not being paralytically panic-stricken all the time still seems like a huge gift, even though at the far end, I'm still not capable of being all that social for all that long.
And yeah: on the go? meeting people? parties? I think I need to go lie down.
:)
Sally
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Castle in the Sea
Abandon Hopefully
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4Real Forums : St. Anne's Tearoom: Growing in Wisdom over 40
Topic: Lack of Social Tendencies
