Hi. I'm an outgoing introvert. What's your superpower?

A few weeks ago, I was drowning in feelings of inadequacy. Oftentimes, because I'm sometimes quiet and sometimes loud, people don't see who I truly am beneath the surface. I happened to mention how I felt to one of my friends over text, and she said to me:

"You are funny, you are sweet, you are sassy (WAY MORE SASSY THAN ME), you are beautiful, you are a crap ton smart, you are attractive, you are considerate, you are compassionate, you are loving, you are thoughtful, your baking skills are awesome, you are a blessing to everyone you meet, you are wise, you are understanding, you are a good listener, you are a learner, you are a great writer, you are a beautiful singer, you devote yourself to your dreams, you are a hard worker, you are loving...and did I mention you are strong?

Most people would crack under the stuff you have had to go through and learn from and deal with, but no. You are too strong for that. You don't just give up, you stand up. You decide you've had enough and you fight back. You say, 'No, this is not who I am. You don't get to decide. Who made you King? Who told you you could tear me down? Did you think I would stay there? Nope. You were wrong. Because I have a life that is completely different from the maps you had in mind for my life and you know what? I like it that way.' YOU ARE MORE THAN WHAT YOU THINK PEOPLE SEE."

With her words, I was almost brought to tears. This past year has left me sorting through a myriad of emotions. I moved twelve hours away from home and started college. I learned to be unapologetically genuine. I laughed; I cried. I held onto things I shouldn't have and let go of things I should have kept. A friend died; I grieved. My heart was broken; I moved on.

I learned that, even at a small college, it's easy to blend into the crowd and become seemingly invisible. So I blended in. I took the maximum number of credits allowed and juggled two jobs on campus. And I kept up with family and friends back home. And most of this happened under the surface. Only a few select people saw all that I was going through. And for awhile that was hard for me to deal with. I was on an emotional roller coaster, and I felt alone. But I started to realize I could be okay. Because life's not about being seen. Life's about living like an earthworm. Although few people like them, they've become one of the most endearing creatures in my mind. And here's why.

Earthworms are rarely seen. They work behind the scenes, secretly making the grass greener. And who doesn't love green grass? Earthworms demand no recognition while they make the world a little more beautiful. And when the rain comes, they crawl out of the ground, half-drowned, and some of them get stepped on. But somehow they have to muster the heart to move on. So they crawl to safety, and then continue to make the grass greener once the rain has subsided.

And that's how I strive to live as a person. Although I have a heart that is only seen by a few, I work to make the world around me a little more beautiful. When the storms of life come and I get stepped on, I will hold my head high and keep walking. Because I am more than I appear to be. People don't always see me. And I'm beginning to be okay with that. But I will keep sharing my story to those who want to hear it.

Hi. I'm an outgoing introvert. Come and sit for awhile, and I'll tell you my story.