“Quiet People Have the Loudest Minds.” —Stephen Hawking

In 2022 Assertive, Optimistic, and Lively voices are IN. More quiet, observant, and thoughtful voices are OUT. We live in a time that focuses on big personalities in subscription daily blogs, YouTube, Ted Talks, and Spotify performances. Our state governments and city councils make grants to consultant groups to propose solutions to homelessness, difficulties in finding and hiring police, or low reading scores in public schools-- instead of asking for the ideas of quiet people already at the table.

Are you one of them? Do you:

Enjoy spending time with yourself?
Need quiet to concentrate?
Keep your emotions mostly private?
Feel drained by some people?
Prefer to process the idea for your prose or poetry internally rather than talking about it aloud?
Feel extremely tired after crowded meetings? Your chant for huge meetings may be : ”I came, I saw, I left early.”
Catch yourself daydreaming?
Would rather respond in writing than in person or on the phone?
Are not fond of committees or study groups?

Writing Prompt :

List three problems or areas of concern you presently have for your family, work, worship, or world.
Pick one. Write a few paragraphs contrasting how you would approach the issue in contrast to what others are currently doing.

If the world of Introverts interests you, check out:

• Susan Cain, “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking”

• Patrick King, “Introvert Survival Tactics.”

• Marti Olsen Laney, “The Introvert Advantage: How quiet People Can Thrive.”

• Jennifer Kahnweller, “The Introverted Leader: building on your quiet strength.”

• Adam S. McHugh, “Introverts in the Church: finding our place in an extraverted culture.”