Setting Priorities: My Feelings or Your Feelings?

(The image above, that triggered this post, was posted
on Facebook by Introverts Supporting Introverts)

Yeah.

So many people interpret this behavior as hostility or rejection, or cold indifference, instead of realizing that an introvert is afraid of BOTHERING other people. They want and need help, and friends, but they fear most of all INTRUDING on the peace of another person.

Projection out of our own experience is the most awful tunnel-vision that blocks us from getting to know the wonders of other people.

So Extroverts discount Introverts because they think they are cold or hostile, and Introverts distance themselves from Extroverts because they fear they may be interfering in the other person's life.

Hmmm.

We need to get out of ourselves more -- both Introverts and Extroverts -- and think about somebody besides ourselves. If we did, the world might be a friendlier place.

I am not suggesting that would be an easy task for anybody.

Focus on the needs of others is the foundation of Christian love. Focussing on our own feelings and preferences keeps us at a distance and precludes mutual understanding and friendship.

Hmmm.

Tough task. 

Especially since we have come to expect that other people keep account of OUR feelings.

Truly.

Whole political movements are based on that very notion.