Living a quiet life in a busy, noisy world can be a challenge, especially for an Introvert. Our society praises Extroverts, but Introverts have their place too. Life is about balance – there is a purpose for everyone. And… while life is not just black or white neither are there only two types of people.

In fact, people can possess qualities of both Introvert and Extrovert. Generally speaking, there are two types that are labeled by our society. Since opposites attract, it’s important that we truly learn the meaning behind these personality traits. Understanding each other allows us to thrive and have lifelong, meaningful relationships.

It’s important to learn more about yourself and design a life around that. It can truly bring a renewed sense of inner love and confidence. Our wish is for other Introverts to find that peace, and for their Extrovert counterparts to understand them on a level that they never have before.

5 Important Things About Introverts

1. Introverts are not always shy, just reserved.

Being “shy” can be a very misconstrued personality trait given to those who are often quiet in large crowds or who don’t open up easily. In truth, those who are “shy” just take more time to blossom and open up to others. It is definitely NOT a character flaw by any means, and it is not always necessarily due to hurt from past experiences.

Introverts are not fearful when they are quiet. There is actually an inner energy shift that occurs when they are around a group of people outside their daily comfort zone. If you watch, most of the time after a few minutes or hours they open right up and join in. It’s not wrong, it’s just their nature of being.

2. Introverts enjoy being alone (sometimes).

Introverts need time to themselves. We aren’t sad. We aren’t depressed. It’s not that we don’t like you. In fact, it has nothing to do with you! We need time alone because we need time alone. It’s really that simple. 🙂

Each of us uses that alone time for different things – to relax, read, meditate, pray or talk to our Creator, practice yoga, write, watch a movie, walk or whatever. This is our time to center, re-balance, and gain energy to move forward.

Introverts need this time throughout the week or daily to stay centered and be true to his or her own nature. We also need this time to recollect, go within and think. Oh, do we love to THINK.

3. Introverts are careful about who they allow in their life.

Most Extroverts can make friends everywhere they go and have many, very close friendships. While that is beautiful and ideal, it’s not exactly how Introverts operate. We can tend to be a little choosy when it comes to close friendships. Contrary to belief, we love being social and making friends. But, when it comes to our inner circle we reserve that for loyal friends and family. Likewise, we are extremely loyal in return.

4. Introverts are not self-centered snobs.

This is a big one. The person you are labeling as a snob may be just an Introvert. They like and enjoy their time with you. It can sometimes just be exhausting or nearly impossible for introverts to include themselves in a group or in a random conversation. In fact, in a group, it’s easier and it’s more natural for them to keep to themselves and observe. Heck, they enjoy watching you Extroverts talk and even get loud and crazy. YOU are the spice of life! 😉

5. Introverts don’t care for random phone calls.

There are many reasons random phone calls don’t work for Introverts. For one, Introverts don’t care for interruption. Whether they are busy working, deep in thought, reading, or accomplishing a task – their mind is focused on that and they prefer to keep it that way. They usually follow a schedule. A random, loud ring from a phone can startle and Introvert and ignite inner confusion.

Ask any Introvert, at first thought, they usually don’t want to pick up. When they do speak, they may not seem as engaged because they aren’t using visual cues like smiling or nodding.

It’s all about timing. A person who doesn’t understand an Introvert may consider an ignored call as “ being rude”. But that’s not true. We may absolutely adore you; we just don’t feel like talking at that moment. Emailing, texting, and scheduling calls can be beneficial. Or if they have missed your call, you can wait for a call back when it’s convenient for them too.

Final Thoughts

All in all, it’s so important to drop judgment from your life and understand and embrace everyone’s unique personality traits. More understanding allows us to truly embrace and fully love each other. Then, we can design a life that allows us ALL to flourish with more harmony.

So, the next time you meet an adult or child that appears “backward” or “shy”, think about what you just read and how you can release the need to judge and label. They need your calm, peace, support, and love.

Are you an Introvert or an Extrovert? Let us know in the comments!

Have you ever noticed that happy people tend to have higher expectations, and also getter better results?  There’s a reason why life flows more smoothly when your happy switch is turned on. Moreover, cultivating these habits of happy people will surely put your life on the right track toward becoming a habitually happier, healthier, and whole.

“Happiness is a habit – cultivate it.” ~ Elbert Hubbard

11 Habits of Happy People

 1. Unconditional love

The only way love can last a lifetime is if it’s unconditional. The truth is this: love is not determined by the one being loved, but rather by the one choosing to love. – Stephen Kendrick, The Love Dare

Loving and loving unconditionally have a few fundamental differences.  You can choose love, but to choose unconditional love means that you see past the imperfections.  You release judgment and accept others as they are and choosing to act in a loving manner always.  Choosing to love unconditionally means that you’re choosing to love in a BIG way.  Bigger than the social and emotional restrictions that hold our love in bondage.

Your unconditional love doesn’t have to be outwardly in all situations either; unconditional love can also be inward. Accepting yourself fully as you are and showing yourself this same unconditional love can provide protection, healing, and the confidence you need to take your next step toward victory.

2. Gratitude

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” – Epictetus

We cannot express the importance of gratitude as a habit of happy people.  When you make a habit to think of, and express, everything you’re grateful for, you’ll see that these joyous experiences continue to expand in your life.  Just like the law of gravity, the law of attraction will expand what you focus on – and if you’re focusing on what you’re thankful for, you can certainly expect to be more thankful in the future.

3. Service to others

Doing nothing for others is the undoing of one’s self.  We must be purposely kind and generous, or we miss the best part of existence. The heart that goes out of itself, gets large and full of joy. This is the great secret of the inner life. We do ourselves the most good doing something for others. – Horace Mann

Taking time to be of service shows a great deal of character, especially when you aim to serve without expectation of return.  Giving your time without the need for gain returns something much greater – it gives you the satisfaction of adding value to the world.  Working to help improve a physical, mental, environmental, or spiritual state will not only help improve the world, but will also help build positive karma in your life.

4. Self Care

You must love yourself before you love another. By accepting yourself and fully being what you are, your simple presence can make others happy.  You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love & affection. ~Buddha

If your own needs aren’t taken care of, how can you take care of the needs of others?  There’s nothing selfish about setting aside a certain time for yourself each day or week to make sure that your own mind, body, and soul are well and rested.  Here are just a few things we do ourselves to meet our self care needs.  Try a few and/or add your own self care habits in the comments below:

• 15 minute morning meditation- This is very grounding.  Try it each morning before you get out of bed, or each night before sleep.
• Affirmations – Affirmations are key in our lives.  Select affirmations that resonate with you and repeat them in the mirror DAILY.
• Reading a chapter of a book – Just 6 minutes of reading can reduce stress by 68%. 
• A warm soak in the tub – Try adding 2 cups of iodized sea salt with 2 cups of pure baking soda to a hot tub of water – you’ll LOVE it!
• Exercise – Staying active not only helps you look and feel better, it also clears your mind of negative, doubting thoughts.
• Eat raw, organic fruits and vegetables (you can put them in juices or smoothies, or eat them right out of the garden!)
• Buy a new outfit – Hey, there’s nothing wrong with a little retail therapy every now and then!  Treat yourself, you deserve it!

5. Forgiveness

Forgiveness can bring you a renewed peaceful spirit. You’ll find yourself feeling more positive overall and less stressed. You may even experience health benefits like lower blood pressure.  When someone hurts or offends you, negative feelings of bitterness or revenge are created. Don’t let yourself pay the price over and over. Oftentimes the focus on the past and the hurt will keep you from enjoying the wonders of today and the potential of tomorrow.

Good news: Although you cannot control their actions or their decisions, you CAN control yours.

6. Compassion

Compassion is a foundation for sharing our aliveness and building a more humane world. — Martin Lowenthal, Opening the Heart of Compassion

Having compassion brings out an important human element.  Showing recognition and respect for all situations can not only solve many of the world’s problems, but can also bring people comfort, knowing that they are cared for, loved, and recognized as equal.  Show compassion for others and where they are in life.

Although their situation may not be desirable to you, it’s where they are – and if they’re going to get closer to where they want to be, they need caring support from people just like you.

7. Humor

As the old adage states, “Laughter is the best medicine.” It’s true and happy people know it. They laugh often and even at themselves sometimes. Laughter can create a lightness out of a heavy or negative situation. One good belly laugh is all it takes too; humor is contagious. One funny, happy person in a group can create a roomful of happy people.

Humor doesn’t just make you happy, but healthy too. Studies show humor and laughter strengthen your immune system, boosts your energy, diminish pain, and protect you from the damaging effects of stress.

“Your sense of humor is one of the most powerful tools you can have to make certain that your daily mood and emotional state support good health.” – Paul E. McGhee, Ph.D

8. Responsibility

Taking responsibility for your thoughts, words, actions, and reactions can ultimately bring you more happiness in life. If your intention is to create a more positive world for yourself and those around you, it’s up to you to have the thoughts, moods, and actions that will create that positive world.

If however, you analyze your current situation and see a negative consequence being created as a result of your moods/actions/reactions, taking responsibility for that will make you adjust your sails to strive toward a better outcome.  Release the fear of judgment and create responsibly, the Divine never loses count of your true intention.

9. Persistence

If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward. – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Focus on what you want and build yourself to be that person through positive affirmations, intention, and action.  When we pursue something of great value with an undying spirit, the Divine knows this and will deliver.  It may not come all at once, or through the avenue you expect, but persistence will grant the achievements that create happiness.

10. Focus on the Solution

Happy people focus on solutions.  Unhappy people focus on problems. – Chris Butler

Releasing focus on problems is relieving yourself of the negative focus. Great problem solvers, and many millionaires exist because they don’t see a need to focus on the problem as much as the solution for it.  Life is full of possibilities and solutions when you believe and focus on them.  Life is also full of problems when you focus on them.  Where will you put your focus?

11. Honesty

You may get away with dishonesty at times, but as mentioned earlier, the Divine ALWAYS keeps count. For every thought, word, or action you express, an equal energy will be returned to you.  If honesty is what you portray, you will gain respect, trust, and honesty in return.  With dishonesty, a barren and lonely environment that is devoid of happiness is sure to ensue in time.  You may not see the effect of dishonesty right away, but it will erode you from within.  The option to repair however, is always available. You can begin practicing honesty RIGHT NOW to build a better, happier tomorrow.

(BONUS) 12. Optimism, of course! 😉

Positive thinking is key to happiness. Happy people have practiced turning negative thoughts or experiences into positive ones. Seeing the glass half full, living a life full of positive habits, and learning to turn on your own “happy switch” consistently will turn your life around in ways you’ve never imagined.

Ever wonder why you seem to attract negative people to you?

The fact is … positive and negative people are often drawn to each other even when they seem so vastly different. It’s rooted in our nature. In fact, we can prove this in science.

A battery has two ends — a positive terminal (cathode) and a negative terminal (anode). If you connect the two ends …electricity is produced!  Whether comfortable or not, when a negative person connects with a positive, energy is created.  We crave energy. Energy is a flow of electrons and energy is a flow of emotions,  If you’ve ever wondered why opposites attract – there’s part of your answer.

A positive force will magnetically draw a negative charge to it.

Know that dealing with negative people, you first must recognize that we are in fact attracted to the energy or charge that we feel. The key is to understand if the flow energy and if you need to “detach” from that negative force.

Evaluate Your Relationships

What are you getting from the relationship? What is it you want from the relationship and is it realistic? Will you ever get it? Does this relationship serve you? Is your life better with this person in it?

With most relationships, we have a choice. We can’t choose our family members but we can choose our friends. Does this person lift you up? Are they happy about your success? Do they cheer for you? Or, do they pray for you? Do they care enough to push you or ask uncomfortable questions when you’re off track?

A true friend is someone who cares so much, that they will risk offending you, having that uncomfortable conversation to let you know when you’re on a destructive path or just underselling yourself. That one true friend should feel like the President of your Fan Club! A true friend wants what’s in your best interest… Those are the people you need in your life. Those are the important relationships — and you have a choice.

Those friends who are negative, impossible please, terribly unhappy with themselves and hell-bent on confrontation are not healthy people to spend time with. There is a cost to be paid and guess who pays the price? Ask yourself how often this person repays or redeposits the withdrawals they make? We have a finite amount of love, energy, compassion and most importantly time. Be mindful of how and with whom you spend those things.

Now I am certainly not suggesting that you cut these individuals from your life. Everyone has value. Everyone has a way in which they enrich our lives. I hope you find these following suggestions helpful.

How to best manage negative people and relationships:

1. Consider carefully how much of yourself you give to those who only withdraw.

2. Give negative individuals less power over your emotions, time and happiness.

3. You are not responsible for another person’s happiness, value or good mood.

4. Don’t take the hurtful actions as a personal reflection.

5. Remember…it is impossible to win an argument with someone who is “never wrong” or blindly self-focused.

6. Difficult, needy, angry, overly sensitive people are that way —not because of something you’ve done or not done—- but often because of early childhood experiences.

7. Have empathy and compassion but not at the risk of sacrificing yourself.

8. Don’t take it personally. It’s really not about you. And sometimes there’s nothing you can fix….but we can choose our friends.

Hurt people hurt people.

When the negative person is a family remembers that you have a choice in the way you respond—- respond in love. Stop being angry, end your resentment. Put love in your heart. We can’t change people… But we can pray for them.

When dealing with unhappy family members, know your part, but set healthy boundaries.

Be supportive without taking responsibility for the self-worth of another. Create a healthier relationship. And if you want this person in your life, (or if you really don’t have a choice via marriage or bloodline ) then make a decision to do your best without sacrificing your soul.

Ask questions. Listen.

And listening doesn’t mean letting the other person talk so that they will hurry up and finish so you can say what you need to say. Listening is understanding; trying to see things from their life perspective. Having an understanding of what it is like to walk in their shoes and what experiences have led them to this way of thinking. Take the word confrontation out of your vocabulary. Decide to be more loving.

And lastly, I believe that no relationship is 50/50.

Every relationship has a humble hero. It’s okay to be that person from time to time who does more and takes pride in their role. Be the person who’s willing to make the other person feel like the center of the universe. Instead of keeping score or building resentment, just hold that pride inside of you.

Know without having to broadcast it or write your award acceptance speech that this is ***your gift*** This is what draws other people to you. Stop feeling sorry for yourself or wondering when someone else is going to do the same for you. Respond in love or make a decision to make a change.

There are exceptions to every rule – but the thing I know for sure and it sounds “total cheeseburger” but love is almost always the right answer.

As a daily positive thinker,  life’s distractions, negative people, and other external “brain drainers” can leave you faced with challenges to conquer. The good part is, you can learn to train your brain to help stay positive when times are tough.

Try these 7 tips to help train your brain to stay positive:

1. Daily Gratitude

“Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.” – Henry Ward Beecher

Place your journal, a pad and pen or your phone with the gratitude app next to your bed each night.  When you wake up each morning, make it a habit to write down at least three things you’re grateful for. It can be anything from family and work to a good night’s rest or the morning sunrise. Whatever is positive in your life deserves a little thank you note from your soul. When we focus our attention on gratitude, that thankfulness will expand.

If it’s difficult to think of something right away, realize that something JUST happened that you can be grateful for…  you woke up today.   Not everyone gets that opportunity.

2. Stay Centered

Staying centered throughout the day will help keep you from being derailed by negative energy that tries to consume your confident, positive attitude.  You can find balance in many activities, such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing, walking in nature or any other activity that puts your mind at rest.  When the mind ceases the negative thoughts, you permit your soul to speak. The calming energy produced from a good centering exercise surrounds the body. Thus, you develop an unshakable spirit that will surely help you stay positive.

“Within you, there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.” – Hermann Hesse

3. Stay Active

The adage “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop” couldn’t be more true.  When the mind is focused on completing the day’s schedule successfully, negative energy is powerless.  Now you may ask “but what about the external shocks from other people or experiences that go sour?”

There are always things that may come up when you are staying active and focused on positively completing your day, but that’s where the other exercises like staying centered are ultimately going to help you stay positive throughout.

4. Eat, Drink Well & Sleep Well

It has been known for hundreds of years that our intake of food, water, and sleep can greatly affect our mood and mental health.  A study has found that just vitamin deficiencies alone can cause declines in mental health that can lead to stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, and other psychological disorders.

Use this article and vitamin reference to learn how to use food to stay positive

And when it comes to sleep, evidence suggests that when people are sleep deprived, they feel more irritable, angry, and hostile.  Sleep tight rather than stay up all night and you’ll be feeling happier, more friendly, and more refreshed each day.  Little tweaks and additions to your routine like these can make a big difference. Eat whole foods, drink lots of water, and sleep 8 hours or more as often as you can.

5. Help others

Sometimes, the best way to help yourself stay positive throughout the day is to help others stay positive as well.  When others are down, that’s when they need positivity the most. Instead of avoiding their negative energy in fear of it spreading to you, jump in headfirst. Use your positive mindset and help shine the light to brighten their day!  You will leave the situation knowing that you have created a ripple effect and multiplied the positive energy in your environment. In turn, this energy will return to you tenfold.

6.Subconscious re-training and inner healing work

Sometimes, to have a positive experience on the outside, we have to uncover and release the past negative experience trapped on the inside.   Exercises like tapping, affirmations, NLP and mirror work are all great places to start.  The journey of discovery from within has the ability to heal the original wound that could have been created from our childhood, a bad relationship, or a traumatic experience.

“The fact is, you can transform your life. You really do have that power.”

When the affected area is showered with love and positive energy, the emotional wound can be healed and the fear released.  This work will help you not only attain a true positive mindset without facade. However, this will make it easier to maintain positivity moving forward.

7. Follow your passion

One of the greatest things you can do to stay positive throughout each day is to make sure you’re doing what you LOVE!  If your job or hobby involves something that makes you feel guilty, or something that takes you further from where you desire to be in life, it’s time to switch it up.

Write down three things you love to do, followed by three positive changes you’d like to see in the world.  Compare this to your current lifestyle and see how they match.  Being in alignment with what your soul calls for is one of the most important aspects of staying positive throughout life. Trust us, it makes it a WHOLE lot easier!

Practice these 7 exercises to retrain your brain to stay positive through any challenge and live a life you truly desire!

If you already practice some of these exercises, share with us how they’ve improved your life – we love hearing from our community!