10 Ideas to Jump Start Your Self-Confidence

Written by Skye Thomas


Continued from page 1

6. Look inside a thesaurus to find new ways to sayrepparttar same old things.

7. Find three funny jokes and learn to tell them really well.

8. Get a makeover, new hairstyle, or all new socks & underwear.

9. Learn how to say, "I'm sorry" and mean it.

10. Look intorepparttar 123096 eyes of strangers and hold their gaze long enough to seerepparttar 123097 insecurity in all of us.

More tips and ideas can be found in Beyondrepparttar 123098 Inner Critic by Skye Thomas.

Skye Thomas is the CEO of Tomorrow's Edge, an Internet leader in inspiring leaps of faith. Her books and articles have inspired people of all ages and faiths to recommit themselves to the pursuit of happiness. After years of high heels and business clothes, she is currently enjoying working from home in her pajamas. To read more of her articles, sign up to receive her free weekly newsletter, and get free previews of her books go to www.TomorrowsEdge.net.


Booty Grabbing at Your Place of Worship?

Written by Nancy R. Fenn


Continued from page 1

Deb Matthews in "True Christian Stories": "There was just one problem withrepparttar church! Atrepparttar 123095 end ofrepparttar 123096 song services,repparttar 123097 pastor would always tellrepparttar 123098 congregation, 'Turn around and shake hands with someone, or if you're a woman, give another woman a hug.' Most ofrepparttar 123099 time, I would just shake hands withrepparttar 123100 people around me, or a woman next to me might just put her arm around my shoulder and give me a gentle sideways hug. But there was this one woman that went all overrepparttar 123101 place giving these big bear hugs to everyone, man or woman. I got to where I would check out where she was sitting and make sure I was a long way away from her. But it didn't seem to matter where I sat -- she still seemed to end up over where I was and give me one of those smothering hugs. The church was great except for all that hugging business." [she goes on to explain how she "overcame" her dread of being hugged !]

IT'S NOT JUST THE HUGGING

It's not justrepparttar 123102 hugging. Merilee recently visited a friend in Alabama and was taken to a Sunday service. There was a huge video screen inrepparttar 123103 front ofrepparttar 123104 room which scrolledrepparttar 123105 lyrics torepparttar 123106 hymns, members ofrepparttar 123107 congregation got up to get coffee or cold drinks whenever they wanted, there was a live band with guitar, saxophone and keyboard, and an elaborate sound system. Merilee is an infp introvert and she said it was a bombardment of sounds, lights and people which kept her separated from any sense ofrepparttar 123108 spiritual. The children were elaborately dressed in expensive Victorian era clothing and, although truly adorable, their presence inrepparttar 123109 service was also a distraction to Merilee's sense ofrepparttar 123110 divine.

Elle explains in her GARDEN BLOG, "When I got torepparttar 123111 church, openedrepparttar 123112 door and sawrepparttar 123113 room full of unknown people, I remembered my usual madness. I froze. I stood atrepparttar 123114 door, surveyedrepparttar 123115 room and was overwhelmed. These were my initial observations. It was loud. Way too loud. There was singing, shouting and dancing and I made a mental note to pinch Xxx for not getting me there and seated beforerepparttar 123116 hoopla began. This was a small room and a small congregation. There were musicians, a few people (not enough to be called a choir) singing and I was instantly uncomfortable. Not that I have a problem with praise and worship, but my few experiences with church have been very different. Usually there's a very quiet service where people give 'talks'and a choir sings a celestial rendition of Onward Christian Soldiers. This was not that."

Here are critiques of three churches in Maryland by someone who identifies himself only as "Bob". I have taken out all references to denomination so, exclusively onrepparttar 123117 basis ofrepparttar 123118 form ofrepparttar 123119 service, which of these churches would you like to go to?

CRITIQUES

Church 1 Excellent musical accompaniment torepparttar 123120 service was performed by a choir of 12 men, percussion, electronic keyboard, saxophone and guitar. This first class entertainment was applauded duringrepparttar 123121 service and some songs got deserved standing ovations. Hugging happy greeter. Church started late because of talking and socializing. Laughter and applause joinedrepparttar 123122 energetic sermon.

Church 2 Mostly older adults. Some local families. College students. This isrepparttar 123123 church for Xxx College. Wooden pews. Small choir. Everyone sings. Flute and piano. Quiet. Everyone is attentive. Impromptu humor. No pressure to join. Educational lecture as part of service.

Church 3 The ritual to follow andrepparttar 123124 hymns to sing are printed inrepparttar 123125 handout for everyone to easily participate. All hymns fromrepparttar 123126 18th century. Folding chairs. Mostly adults. Individuals. No hand shaking during service. Easy to hear. Visitor may remain anonymous.

If you picked #2 of #3, chances are you're an introvert.

Despiterepparttar 123127 humorous title of this article, excessive friendliness during worship seems contrived and uncomfortable to many introverts and may be keeping us away from communal worship in droves. If this isrepparttar 123128 case with you, I encourage you to look further afield until you find a temple, church or synagogue that hnorsrepparttar 123129 intoverted way! And don't forget to be heard. We have a voice and it's a legitimate one. How will they know if we don't tell them?

Nancy R. Fenn is The IntrovertZCoach. Learn more and find resources, support, humor and encouragement for introverts at www.theintrovertzcoach.com


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