Today I listened to Susan Cain, author of "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking" speak on challenging the extrovert ideal. I am among the choir of introverts that Cain preaches to. It drains me to be around people. In fact, I spent the whole day yesterday by myself, and I can't tell you how much pleasure it gave me. I know being introverted has its perks even in a culture that champions extroverts. It's taken me well into my adult years to really embrace the introvert in me, yet manage to still engage people at a high level.

The one piece missing to me in Cain's advocacy of the introvert is an underlying reason for which she encourages introverts to open up their metaphorical suitcase to the world because "the world needs [us] and the things that [we] carry." While there is no inherent flaw in this plea, the motivation  is lacking. How can one champion the introvert, yet also ask her to act contrary to it? The only motivation that summons me out of the depths of my introversion is that my life is not my own, and I am compelled to live it outside of myself. I see this beautifully articulated by the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:14 -"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised."

That verse flattens the introverted default to turn inwardly within myself. Need to see inside my suitcase? My blog is but a peek :)