|
= Quiet Reflection on a Noisy Planet
Reviewer: The Rebecca Review.com from the land of cozy
couches and nooks
"Introverts are like a rechargeable battery. They
need to stop expending energy and rest in order to recharge.
Extroverts are like solar panels that need the sun to recharge.
Extroverts need to be out and about to refuel." ~Marti
Olsen Laney
Imagine feeling alone in a crowd, preferring a quiet corner
to the limelight and feeling overwhelmed by phones, parties and
office meetings. Do people often think you are shy, aloof or
antisocial? If you are an introvert, you are going to completely
relate to a variety of comments that are like fireworks going
off in recognition of truth. Introverts can hide their talents
and only show them in certain situations.
Through reading this wonderful and often humorous book, you
will be assured that nothing is wrong with you. In fact, there
is a connection between Introversion and Intelligence.
What is fascinating is how Marti Olsen Laney explains how
introverts create energy in the opposite way extroverts do.
I’m often drained of all energy after being with people for
extended periods of time, but being with a book can set me on
fire with creativity and energy. I can handle small groups and
connecting with familiar faces can actually energize me, but
after three hours, I want to find a more peaceful setting.
This book helped me understand why I have deeper thoughts
when I’m by myself than in a group setting. People seem to not
know who I am in the “real-world,” but online, I have found
a place to show my true self. This is apparently because
introverts are more comfortable with writing than speaking in
public.
Are You an Introvert?
Are you detail oriented yet details in public spaces
overwhelm you?
Do you prefer small parties with intimate friends? Do you avoid
crowds?
Would you rather be reading books in bed in your pajamas?
Do you get tired when you are around people, but energized when
alone?
Do you feel guilty about having to “limit” your social
experiences so you can survive?
Does your mind sometimes go blank in group situations?
Do you dislike being interrupted in the middle of a project?
The author has divided her comments into three main sections.
First you find out if you really are an introvert, then you
discover how to navigate the extrovert world. The last section
explains how you can create the perfect life by
“extroverting.” This is just another way of saying that an
introvert can also shine their light out into the world.
After reading the list of famous introverts, you will see
similarities in their personalities. The author also gives a
list of movies to add to your “must-see” list. Marti also
spends time seeking the in-depth answers to brain chemistry. You
will also find out if you are a Right or Left-Brained Introvert.
Then onward to “dating.” The “Relationships: Face the
Music and Dance” chapter shows how personality types collide,
how to meet the challenge and then how to appreciate the
differences. Even by reading the chapter on Parenting, I started
to understand extroverts in a new way. I find extroverts to be
fascinating, yet at times they overwhelm my
cozy-sit-in-the-corner cat nature with their tiger tactics.
Extroverts just seem so aggressive at times. The world can look
a little threatening and a party can be overwhelming.
I love the author’s ideas about how to be a sea anemone at
a party. I’ve survived many parties with this tactic. If you
are worried about what to say at a party, Marti gives plenty of
solutions in the form of openers, sustainers, transitions and
closers. Then she dives into the hazards from 9 to 5. This
chapter will also shed some light on your personal
relationships. Ok, by the time I read “Pack Your Survival
Kit” this book had been more than helpful. These tips alone
will encourage you to create a more peaceful planet.
“The Introvert Advantage” is an encouraging book for
anyone who has felt the pain of being an introvert in an
extrovert world. Marti Olsen Laney also shows how it can be
equally painful and unfulfilling to remain in a state of
seclusion. Through reading thoughtful segments on a daily basis,
you can finally start to find balance in your daily existence.
This is a must-read book for all Introverts and the people
who love them. The author has a comfortable writing style and
you will feel “at home” and find yourself “completely”
relating to her experiences.
Marti
Olsen Laney
It is rare to find a book where you
just fall in love with an author’s personality. She is cute,
witty and intellectual too. Finally someone out there
understands! The author has really done her research.
Highly recommended. Add this book to your Top Ten must-read
books this year. After all, it will help you understand 25% of
the population.
~The Rebecca Review.com, A Right-Brained “mostly”
Introvert (INFP) and proud of it.
Emotional Intelligence
Mastering the Emotional Realm, April 10, 2006
Great spiritual teachers, like Buddha and Jesus, have touched
their disciples' hearts by speaking in the language of emotion,
teaching in parables, fables, and stories. Indeed, religious
symbol and ritual makes little sense from the rational point of
view; it is couched in the vernacular of the heart. ~Daniel
Goleman
Of all the books I have read in my entire life, Daniel Goleman's
book on Emotional Intelligence was as difficult to begin as it
was to put down. After numerous attempts to make it past the
first chapter, I finally dedicated an entire week to the reading
of this classic treatise on the importance of emotional
awareness. Surprisingly it then only took three days to finish
reading because I read constantly day and night, night and day.
The rare beauty of Daniel Goleman's writing is breathlessly
intellectual all while retaining a centered approach to the
research of his topic at hand. Not only has he brilliantly woven
carefully placed threads of awareness into a coherent and
comforting blanket of understanding, he uncovers truly helpful
and practical applications.
From a deep ocean of emotional conflicts and social programming,
ideas for healing appeal to our hunger for inner coherence. His
work also explains why we long for positive nourishment in a
negative world and why a range of skills beyond basic IQ serves
to enable our success.
Daniel Goleman's writing is rich and intricate. He draws on a
variety of well-known experts and personal interviews he
conducted for The New York Times. His extensive interest in this
topic reveals itself in the fluidity with which he combines the
information so as to make it completely accessible to anyone
willing to take the time to follow his logic page by page. He
explores the disintegration of civility, biological patterns of
emotional response and shows how the rational and emotional
minds can work in harmony.
Practical elements include an understanding of feelings as they
happen, how to manage emotions and how to handle emotions as
they arise. Throughout, Daniel Goleman gives hope and explains
why "lapses in emotional skills can be remedied."
Anyone who deals with anger or depression will be especially
encouraged while reading this book.
All too often we learn by experience and this book is filled
with a variety of pathways stemming from emotions that either
lead us to peace or conflict. Even while reading this book, you
may be triggered numerous times and feel a wide variety of
emotions.
I was happy to read about how crying can "lower levels of
brain chemicals that prime distress." Many of the topics in
this book help to explain why our emotions create various
responses and how we can adapt, immediately address the problems
or move from one emotional state to another quite quickly with
very minimal effort. Even while reading I could feel my
emotional state in a constant flux due to various topics
bringing memories into my awareness. There are at least three
ideas I'm already putting into practice and reading books to
distract myself from negative emotions definitely works to
change moods dramatically, as does exercise. You may find
yourself underlining entire passages and then finally just
circling an entire page to refer back to in moments of
reflection.
What does it mean when someone lacks empathy?
What are the early warning signs of divorce?
Why can neglect be more damaging than abuse?
Why is the ability to control impulse the base of will and
character?
The reasons for addiction, epidemic depression and rage are all
addressed from a scientific perspective while at the same time
taking practical matters into account. Why do emotional impulses
so often supersede rational thought processes?
If you enjoy reading books on psychology, love, interpersonal
relationships or communication, this is essential reading.
Reading this book could be as essential to your success as a
college education.
In the end, I think you can't truly be happy unless you find at
least "one" person who really listens to your heart.
Once you know what your heart is telling you and you find a
place where your desires don't conflict with your rational mind,
peace may begin to appear for moments at a time.
Specific religious beliefs are not taken into consideration due
to the all-encompassing nature of this book. However, once you
read this book in all its beauty, everything you believe will
make more sense. Keeping a handle on your emotions then gives
you more control over your self-esteem, which in turn can keep
you alive.
Reading a book on emotions may be essential to your survival for
to understand this aspect of life is truly enlightening. I would
not have been able to understand this book in my 20s, but I
definitely have enjoyed finding it before I turn 40. I feel like
entire worlds will open up as I read additional selections. This
is a true basis for understanding the desires of the heart and
how we can temper passion with rational thought.
~The Rebecca Review
P.S. If you enjoy this book you may also enjoy
"Conversations with the Conscience" by Sarkis Joseph
Khoury. It is a very personal account of one man's journey
through the rational and emotional mind and it has a very deep
spiritual appeal that has universal significance. These two
books have truly helped me understand life in all its conflict
and beauty.
Quiet
The Advantages of Being an Introvert, September
30, 2011
"Introverts work more slowly and deliberately. They like
to focus deeply on one task at a time." ~ pg. 11
I first came across the idea of being an introvert when I read
"Introvert Advantage." I finally felt understood on a
deep level. So it is with some excitement that I started reading
"Quiet." Susan Cain explains that one out of two or
three Americans is actually an introvert even though we see
ourselves as a country of extroverts. As an introvert herself
she is very brave and while researching this book put herself in
many situations which would stress out an introvert to no end.
Like she attends a Tony Robbins seminar and interviews students
at Harvard Business School. She also gives speeches and talks to
famous people.
As an Introvert I could really relate to many of the topics
discussed. Like for instance Susan Cain explains how extroverts
get better grades during elementary school but introverts get
better grades in college. I found that by master's school I was
finally getting the grades I felt I deserved all along. The
contrast between my school grades and college grades was
shocking. I had almost failed everything in high school but had
a 3.9 GPA by the time I was done with master's school.
It was amazing the college I went to gave me a chance.
Susan Cain answers many questions:
What is the real reason Americans become obsessed with movie
stars?
If solitude is good for the soul will it also make you more
successful?
Why is there reduced productivity in open-plan offices?
Does noise improve your thinking or is it too distracting?
It was interesting to read that Bill Gates is an introvert. So
introverts really can change the world. They just have to stick
with what they are good at and success will follow.
Part of this book does encourage you to act like an extrovert
some of the time. Like if you go to a party you may have to come
out of your shell a little. If parties are a big deal to you and
you hate them read The
Introvert Advantage: How to Thrive in an Extrovert World for
coping strategies.
If you are a parent who has children who are introverts there is
also an interesting chapter on how to raise children so they can
handle playground politics.
Overall I felt this book was extremely well researched. The
author keeps to the same style most of the time generally
telling a story and then analyzing it. Because each chapter is
so rich with details it might be advisable to read one chapter a
day. If you are an introvert this should be on your must-read
list!
As of today I've written 4,201 reviews but my husband calls me
slow when I walk. He is an extrovert! Obviously I do things
faster when sitting.
~The Rebecca Review
|
