OK! I Admit It! I'm.....Socially Handicapped!!

I am NOT a social butterfly!

No, not even a moth! A pesky mosquito, maybe! Thing is, I've always been an observer. I watch people and how they respond to others and situations. Some would say this is "lurking"; my son would call me a "stalker." But, I'm neither. It started as a means of self defense.

There's Something You Need to Understand

At least about me, anyway. If you're an only child, you may not understand this, but if you have siblings, you might!

You might think that someone who grows up with lots of family around would be outgoing and engaging, right? This is not necessarily true and, in my case, it's not. Not that I can't be, mind you, it's just not a part of my personality. Therefore, socializing doesn't come natural to me; it's something I have to work on. Now, being the youngest could be a part of it. And being nine years younger than my closest sibling could be a part of it, too. But, I think the biggest reason for my silence is because I was told, a few too many times, to "shut up" and that what I had to say "wasn't important." Negative words can be very damaging, especially to the young. The one sentence that threw me into a psychological prison?

"No one wants to hear what you have to say."

Horrible, isn't it? Well, fortunately for me, I was also taught to not believe everything I hear, so I choose not to believe that. (I say choose because I still struggle with that one sentence everyday.) It has hurt me so much so that I made it a point to teach my daughter and son the exact opposite. And, thankfully, aside from the usual teenage awkwardness, they're socially engaging.

What Does This Have to DO with WA?

A lot, actually! YOU, the WA community, are helping me everyday! How? Through reading all the comments and seeing how you encourage and help each other! Deep in my soul, I KNOW that what I have learned, both here and through life experiences, is VALUABLE to SOMEONE! This is the kind of environment that people can thrive in; can become more than they thought they ever could be.

I Still Struggle

I'm doing better with social engagement within WA, although, I still fight with that damning sentence every time I go to respond to people. So, I humbly ask for two things:

1. Your patience as I fight the good fight and overcome my social fears. I've always been better at communicating on "paper" than "in person." And, one day, I'll overcome that, too! But first, I have to work on something more pertinent to my business: "sharing" both here and on the (ugh!) "social networks."
2. Your help with the "social networks" - I'm not sure how to "engage" people. I could do it when I was little, but as an adult, it's more difficult for me, now. (Perhaps I need to see myself in a different light so others can see me that way, too?)

I value your opinions and advice and, most important, I TRUST you!

Everyone of you have been a great blessing to me and I hope that I can be the same to you!

All My Best,

Beckie