If you were going to ask someone to describe me in three words, I guarantee the first would be loud. I love to talk to anyone and everyone because I truly find that being social is one of my favorite things to do. I am energized by the people around me, and I draw excitement from large crowds. I describe myself as being the most extroverted person I know, sometimes maybe to my detriment. So a pattern that I've picked up on is that many times the people that I surround myself with are more introverted. Maybe I do this to balance out my craziness, or maybe there is something to learn from the people who are completely opposite from me.

I met my best friend Shelby when we were playing on the same basketball team in middle school, and she might have said three words to me all season. I would never have thought that behind that calm and quiet exterior hid one of the wackiest and most fun people I have ever met. Once she felt comfortable enough to let go, Shelby and I became best friends and I could never ask for a more amazing person in my life. However, the biggest mystery was why we work so well together. She was very shy, and perfectly content to sit around and observe a party or hang out. And, for the longest time I never understood that she was happy to just observe, she just enjoyed a different aspect of being out.

I never thought that I would learn so much from Shelby and the other people in my life who consider themselves introverts. They understand the importance of taking time for yourself and really being comfortable alone. It is not a bad thing to have a night in and be comfortable. I also recently found out the relief of canceling plans just because the effort to go out was not something that I really wanted to deal with. However, the most important thing that I have learned from my introvert friends is that sometimes it is better to let other people talk. I have the tendency to talk a lot and what I have found is that being a great listener is what makes someone a fantastic conversationalist. Other people want to hear themselves talk so it does one good to let them.

Shelby has made me a more introspective and understanding person and I think I've helped her break out of her shell too. There are pros and cons to being an introvert or an extrovert, but the fact is that no one has to be only one or the other. And the way things will work best is if these two types of people learn from each other.