As I was struggling to sleep last night (six cups of strong, Ethiopian coffee after 7pm can do that to you), I was doing a lot of thinking. I came to realize how odd it is that I feel like I have nothing to offer, but at the same time I feel like I have everything to prove. I think this is a good sign - deep beneath all my insecurities and doubts I know I am adding something worthwhile to this planet and I want others to recognize it, too.

A conversation I had last night got me thinking down this line of thought. Perhaps this is all a moot point because I know that shy and quiet people have something to offer the world, too. However, let me say this just to get it off my chest.

I AM NOT A SHY AND QUIET PERSON!

Yes, I do have shy and quiet tendencies (at times). However, is that all that people can label me as? There is so much more to me than that and I'm so tired of people honing in on that. What about musical, creative, loyal, loving? At this point I'd even take emotional or crazy.

Why do I hate the shy and quiet label so much? I think because it's caused me to be overlooked so many times in my life. There are so many people that never got to know me because they thought I was the shy and quiet person. My shy and quiet tendencies probably lent themselves to this development at times, seeing how they're most obvious around people I don't know. However, that is not who I am. That does not define me.

Yes, I enjoy doing crazy things with the right circumstances. Yes, I want to go bungee jumping. Yes, I want to go sky diving. Yes, I enjoy talking. Does it really shock people that much?

I am not:
Shy
Quiet
At a lack for thoughts
Boring
Unadventurous
Athletic

I am:
Intelligent
Musical
Creative
More reserved
Emotional
Insecure
Caring
Fun
Competitive
Talkative (once I know someone well)
Reflective
Intellectual

So, Satan, quit telling me that I am shy and quiet. Quit telling me that I have nothing to offer. Quit speaking lies into my life. I've had enough.