This article is written by Guest Writer Steve – Head of Media at Home Of Transformation – H.O.T., Nairobi, Kenya.
I’m excited to introduce you to Steve; our new weekly KENYAN Guest Author.
Steve grew up as an adopted child (You can read his BIO at the base of this article) and knows firsthand what it is like to grow up without encouragement.
He is set to change Kenya. To change Africa. To change the world.
Please read this article he wrote exclusively for Exploramum.com.
We have chosen to commit long-term to support Steve as he sets to mentor Kenyan youths and also as he seeks to establish a Kenyan Orphanage, and we hope you will join us with partnering with him in the future too.
His wisdom, encouragement, and motivation are astounding.
Are Introverts Disadvantaged People?
What comes to mind when you hear the word “introverts”?
Perhaps you think of them as people who are less aggressive, very shy, unproductive and a bit lazy.
However, these are only but personal opinions that are often not the true definition of who introverts truly are. What is somber about it is the fact that most introverts have been made to feel like their personality traits are nothing but a disability or a disadvantage to them.
As a result, they suffer from an identity crisis as they struggle to be less of introverts and more of extroverts.
However, what they need to ask themselves is this: “If I become like someone else, who will ever be me?”
Such a question will lead anyone, including an extrovert, to understand that they are specially gifted with unique traits for a unique purpose.
Something awesome that cannot be denied about introverts is that they are often very critical in their judgments.
Rather than rushing into conclusions, they will sum up everything and find missing links if any exists.
Introverts are more or less like the sanity of any organization or relationship.
As a result, losing them is like losing the most resourceful individuals in any work environment. It is for this reason that introverts should be allowed to be who they are.
However, to be an effective introvert so much has to happen. Working on your personality regardless of your personality trait is something that we cannot argue on.
I realized that as an introvert, I had left so many negative words from people about me to get to me.
I became antisocial and could hardly speak before a group of individuals. It was never the best feeling anyone would like to have.
With time, I, however, felt tired of being an introvert who could not effectively handle life’s challenges.
I got tired and sick of feeling bad about myself and decided to improve on myself by forcing myself into acting in theatres, speaking and singing before people. As a result, my courage grew so much that I could freely speak before crowds.
This is a transformation that came about as a result of conducting a self-analysis and coming to a realization that I needed to improve certain areas of my life.
Yes, I was not going to change who I was; I was only going to improve who I was.
Someone once told me an interesting thing.
He said,
“that if you decide to do something, please do it, not because it is the only thing you know how to do, but because it is a choice you have made out of many options”.
Therefore, as an introvert, if you decide to stay away from people, do it because you feel like doing it, but not because you do not know how to relate to people.
Never be content with who you have become.
Always try to be the best of who you are.
This will only happen through self-discipline.
You will be amazed to find out that you can be the best the world awaits for if you never settle for less of you.
Remember, you do not have to be like anyone else for you to be considered amazing.
Introverts can glow when they discover who they really are!
Without any doubt, when they glow, the world would have no other option but to glow brighter since sanity would be lit to a higher “voltage.”
Read Steve’s articles here.
- Encouraging Children To Give Them A Future
- Are You An Introvert?
- When People Forget Who They Are
- Why Are Your Words Following Me Into My World
- Employers Are Becoming Cons: Don’t Let Unemployment Define You
Steve is serious about mentoring the youth of Kenya
STEVE’s BIO – About me
“My life seemed perfect until the age of 11 when I realised that I was adopted!
Such a realisation became a battle for me since I had to secretly change my perspective about the people who surrounded me.
I could even barely figure out what was right from wrong, since what I thought to be right was now being confirmed as wrong through the mouth of a stranger.
By the age of 19 years, both my adoptive parents had died, and we had to re-adjust to the reality of facing the world without them. They had been amazing and supportive people and I thank God for them.
Something surprising about me is that I was never bold enough to speak up for myself during my early stages of life. As a result, I took people’s insults and reproaches with no defence. Anything nasty that was said about me became a part of me.
I was never the most outspoken kid on the block and got compared on numerous occasions to peers who people thought acted cooler than I did. All these ‘reproaches’ and the ‘hate’ broke me into bits and for over 10 years, I cried secretly, no one ever understanding the reason behind my chronic gloom.
I thank God that regardless of the hard times He was there by my side, always encouraging me and telling me that I would one day be what everyone thought I would never amount to.
Today, my head is up high and I am seeking to uplift the spirit of every child or youth who has been made to believe less in him/herself. Now I have been privileged to speak before students and children alike, something that seemed impossible before.
I bet it is the reason why my dreams of starting an orphanage and mentoring as many children and youths as possible have lingered on – despite financial hardships and discouragements.
I feel like this is just the beginning of me.”
Hobbies: Walking in the park, Videography, Cycling Passion: Mentorship
We are looking forward to Steve being a regular weekly author on Exploramum.com, and we hope he encourages you with his passion to help the youth of the world.
NB: Any person captured in the photographs in this article do not represent anyone related to this story and are simply photographs to emphasize the story. they do not in any way refer to these persons as disadvantaged, nor are we stating they are introverts
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