The Express got it wrong by one day. Tomorrow, Thursday is the opening of the Terra Cotta Warrior show at National Geographic. Opening day is sold out; I'll be there from 10:00 to 6:00. It's possible someone will have to buy me a drink after that.
I live such a quiet life, spending most of my time either alone or with one other person. My work is one-on-one, I tend to hang out with my friends one at a time, and I have, over the last year or so, stuck pretty close to home. Part of that had to do with the fact that I now work 1/2 block away from where I live. The other factor, of course, was because Jake was so old and feeble during his last year. I really needed to be close to him as much as possible.
I'm 100% introverted, always have been. Being around people, as much as I love my species in general, no matter how I adore friends, family and clients, is exhausting for me, just part of the territory of introversion. So, I asked myself in the mirror this morning, tell me why the hell did I sign up to do this show at National Geographic? What was I thinking? Please expain. My face gazed back at me, confused.
It's a mystery, it is. My intuition and all my spirit guides tell me this is right and proper, and that the experience will be transformative. The rational bit of my mind says it's not harmful, I can quit if overwhelmed and exhausted. And it's completely different than bodywork, also very different than the rhythms of life on Capitol Hill.
Jake is long gone now. It's time for me to get back into the world, stir things up. I'm diving into it headfirst, people. Geronimo!!
22 comments:
Barry I'm on a first name basis with the other volunteers because we trained together and also because we wear badges with our names prominently displayed.
Let's hear it for transformation! Yay!
You're going to be exhausted by the end of your first day. I know what you mean about being a recluse. When I was doing those shows, it was tiring being on my feet all day, but worse was the mental exhaustion from all those people.
People wear me out too, in large numbers. It's highly entertaining to watch & interact, but after a while I just need my quiet place...
Good luck & have fun! I have friends in Richmond who love to go to DC & check out things so I'm sending them your way. I told them to tell you The Bug sent them :)
Reya, I know the feeling, but on the other hand, hanging out with total strangers who are interested in what you're saying gets to be addictive. I can spend all week at the farm, talking to the plants, the birdies, and the dogs, but then comes market day. It's five to six hours of nonstop talking to customers and friends (many of whom started as customers), and by the time it's over I'm frazzled. But it's a great counterpoint to all the introversion. A drink will be good, though.
I'm a very quiet person too.
Sometimes we have to step out of our worlds if only to remember what it feels like.
I'm sure you'll have stories to tell ..
I think sometimes it's necessary to push ourselves out there so that we don't become isolated. I think this is going to be great - exhausting, yes - but interesting and exciting. Enjoy the people watching. I can't wait to hear about what you learned. You have such an amazing ability to interpret what is going on underneath the surface. I have to push myself out most of the time, too. I just prefer home and hearth. People sometimes exhaust me the same way, especially if small talk is difficult. Not at all the way it was when I met you, btw. I didn't have enough time!!
you know...id be perfectly honored to buy you that drink...anytime...
xoxo
I hope all goes well and you do get to enjoy a drink afterward. I love seeing what happens when I choose to stir things up a bit...
you are very brave. i would have to read from a brochure behind a screen...and then i would probably mumble. I would need to have that drink you are speaking of before, not after.
Go get 'em Thursday!
I understand about the introversion as I'm often the same way. I tend to deal better with a small group; in crowds I sit on the fringe and watch.
Perhaps on some level you are aware that you need a push into the uncomfortable, the unfamiliar, the frightening. It's all about stretching your boundaries. You've been writing that you feel some things are getting stale; perhaps this is the opportunity to stumble onto the next great adventure. I admire your courage. Have fun tomorrow, then come home and fix a big drink and prop your feet up (and feel free to tell us all about after you've rejuvenated).
i had never seen the smiles on the terra cotta soldier's faces until i saw the top picture. i know your introversion well - i'm quiet and private and choose to be in refined intimate connections with people - but i teach! thirty people this year! there's a price but that's called conscious suffering. good stuff can come from conscious suffering, as long as you don't let the bad stuff work its stuff on ya. you go reya. let your catherine wheel energy flail out and about and revitalize the little bit of the world you're in!!! steven
You will have an amazing time.
In good and bad ways
yes, I prefer my friends one at a time.
Reya, reading your post caused me to catch my breath. It all sounds a bit overwhelming. I too tend to enjoy quiet and solitude. I recharge when I am alone and find large groups drain my energy. Funny thing is that I, like Steven am a teacher. I think it will be quite an experience. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the experience.
I love this post Reya.
I always thought I was an extrovert until our move to the country. Folks don't come by much, especially in the winter.
I love the solitude now, and feel rather scratchy inside when I am away from it. As much as this experience sounds MARVELOUS, I think I would feel the exact same way as you.
I wish you all the best, and look forward to the stories/pics.
Oh, I know the feeling. I had to leave the Cairo museum because of the frenetic energy and the dozens of guides herding tourists around. I felt like there was an electrical storm going off in my head. Put up the energy shield!
You go girl!! You are going to have the best time. I'm sure of it.
After five minutes on the job you will be an old hand.
I would gladly buy you that drink, except that I don't plan on being in D.C. tomorrow.
reya--you will do well---the terra cotta warriors are vessels --you will be in great company..listen, breathe and know that the gold puppy is always with you.
c
ps--I am definitely planning a trip next march to see the warriors first hand
Your face knew what it was doing. Just opening night jitters. That adrenaline that is causing unsettled feelings right now will float your boat tomorrow.
And when you get home, grab a couple of beers, put your feet up, pop the tops and imagine sitting with me and tell me your day. I'll tune in. I'll even psychically try to drink the beer. Let me know how I do.
Oh my, I am a total extrovert and I am sure that most of you know that. People have told me that I have this ability to walk up to a total stranger and within a few minutes they are talking to me like they have known me all their life. And it is true. I stand in lines and people just start talking to me, I sit in waiting rooms and I get the whole room talking to everyone.
I am not sure where I developed this ability, but I think it came from the fact that when we were children our parents moved us to a new place every 3 or 4 months. We learned really quickly that if we wanted to have any friends then you had better just jump in there and get some. And we knew that in another 3 or 4 months we were going to have to do it again.
Due to this, I always gravitated towards jobs where I had to deal with a lot of people. Plus I think being a Leo also makes me want to be the "Leader of the Pack", and so I have no problems speaking in front of groups. (Uh, maybe you can see that they have a problem getting me to shut up.)
But at the same time I equally enjoy being alone and maybe lately I have been enjoying it too much. Hence all the time spent blogging and leaving these long comments. But I never feel lonely, I just feel very comfortable and at ease when I visit everyone.
I know you are going to have an exhausting but wonderful day. And each week it will be better and better. This is where you need to be and it is something you need to do at this time. It will be such a healing process for you and oh so worth it. The Warriors will protect you and you will help them too. When you have to go your seperate ways, they will truly miss you, but they will never forget you.
I am so excited for you to be able to do this. Have lots and lots of fun, and peace be with you.
God bless.
Reya, this is part of your soul growth in this lifetime to get out and mingle. This sounds like a very interesting and stimulating situation you've volunteered for.
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