The Glorious Mystery of Introverts

BY MARTIE EMORY

We are thinkers. We are observers. Yes, we lean to the quiet side, but we can sport a sassy personality just as much as our counterparts, the extroverts.

Although only a handful of close friends may get to witness that “sassy” side of an introvert—those friends consider themselves immensely blessed!

Long misrepresented as aloof—and slightly misunderstood— introverts aren’t necessarily overly shy, and they certainly aren’t anti-social! They do, however, know their own limitations, and learn early on in life that strength can sometimes be best gathered when they spend time alone. Being introverted has nothing to do with a lack of confidence, and many people find “the thinkers” difficult to get to know and tricky to figure out. But all it takes is recognizing what may be a different lifecoping strategy than your own.

Psychologist Carl Jung began using the terms introvert and extrovert around the 1920s, and what he discovered sums up the difference: Introverts rely on their own minds to recharge their batteries, while extroverts seek out other people to give them much-needed energy and enthusiasm. Think about meeting new people at a party and the time you spend with initial small talk to get better acquainted. For an introvert, that small talk can be absolutely exhausting!

For the outgoing extroverts, face-to-face communication is the only way to go, but for introverts, bring on the e-mails and text messages! For the “thinkers” there’s nothing better than skipping over the often draining experience of conversation, and relaying their feelings and opinions via the beautiful written word. And for any introvert who works in retail or a fast-paced corporate environment, it is definitely possible to be “peopled out.” Top 5 reminders about your own beloved introvert:

1Being in a relationship with an introvert means respecting their quiet moments, and realizing they emerge even better than before after a little alonetime—a win-win for both of you! Quiet time is essential for them to concentrate.

2Introverts make the absolute best friends and are known to be excellent listeners, but they rely on a smaller “inner circle” to complete their social network.

3Savvy introverts spend a little extra time processing a situation, and even in social gatherings, they are more likely to notice and “read” the facial expressions and body language of others.

4Self-awareness is one of their top strengths, but that does not make your introvert friends selfcentered. They simply know what situations suit them best.

5Rather than diving headfirst into a chaotic situation around them, the introvert needs a few minutes to process and think through the chaos. So, indulge them! They bring order to the outside world by first bringing order to their “inner” world—which gives them strength to tackle what’s happening around them.

With my own tendencies toward being an introvert, I’m still perfectly able to thrive in a work or social setting, but I admittedly need that “inner circle” of friend support and quiet time to recharge. Remember, introverts are simply giving life an extra glance before they jump right in!

Triad Events for January

January offers a variety of interesting, exciting and one-of-a-kind events for families to experience in and around the Triad. Event-entry guidelines are subject to change. Check the event venue regularly for mask and vaccination requirements. Here are some of the top offerings to consider:

Monster Jam

Jan. 15-16 Greensboro Coliseum Tickets $18-$60 Monster jam fans will witness heated rivalries, high-fying stunts and fierce head-to-head battles. The 12,000-pound trucks push their mechanical limits in Freestyle, Skills, Donuts and Racing competitions. These machines are capable of doing backfips, vertical two-wheels skills and they reach speeds up to 70 mph.

Kruger Brothers: Sounds of the Mountains Series Jan. 15 Yadkin Cultural Arts Center Tickets $35 Jen and Uwe Kruger were born in Switzerland. They started performing when they were 11 and 12 years old. They began their professional career in 1979. Their ability to infuse classical music into folk music has resulted in a unique sound that is enjoyed by fans throughout the world.

Thee Phantom & The Illharmonic Hip-Hop Orchestra Jan. 15 Carolina Theatre, Greensboro Tickets $20-$35 This is a rare concert combination of strings, horns, piano, a partyrocking DJ and a soul-stirring female vocalist – combining the raw energy and passion of Hip-Hip with the beautiful sounds of orchestra accompaniment.

Trevor Noah: Back to Abnormal World Tour

Jan. 16 Spectrum Center, Charlotte Tickets $48-$295 Trevor Noah, the host of “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central, will be on tour in 21 cities, including New York, Baltimore,Toronto and Charlotte. Noah, who was born in South Africa, has the #1 most engaging late-night show with 118 million engagements, 2 billion views across platforms and 3.3 billion minutes consumed on YouTube.

Come From Away

TruliantDec. 28 - Jan. 2 Steven Tanger Center, Greensboro Tickets $25-$80 This is the Broadway story of Gander, a small town in Newfoundland that welcomed 7,000 stranded passengers who landed in 38 planes following 9/11.Newsweek says,“It takes youtoa place you never want to leave!” Dan Tyminski Band Jan. 20 Crossroads @ SECCA, Winston-Salem Tickets $40-$50 Dan Tyminski, a bluegrass legend, has contributed guitar and/or harmony for projects by Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and Kenny Chesney, to name a few. Special guest Sarah Sophia will open.

On the Border: The Ultimate Eagles Tribute

Jan. 7 The Ramkat, Winston-Salem Tickets $27-$40 On the Border performs Eagles music like no other Eagles Tribute can. They emulate the true sound of the Eagles music, nailing all the hits note-for-note along with the 5-part harmonies.

Celebrate, Winston-Salem Symphony

Jan. 8-9 Stevens Center, Winston-Salem Tickets from $25 The Winston-Salem Symphony begins celebrating its 75th season in 2022. The program begins with musical freworks and brass fanfares courtesy of Shostakovich’s exciting Festive Overture. Alexandra Dariescu, an award-winning Romanian pianist, joins the symphony for Grieg’s romantic Piano Concerto.

The Spongebob Squarepants Musical

Jan. 21-30 Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance Tickets $21 This is the musical adaptation of Nickelodeon’s animated children’s sitcom. The show takes place in the undersea city of Bikini Bottom. SpongeBob’s pleasant existence is abruptly interrupted when it is discoveredthatMt.Humongous,a nearbyvolcano,will erupt soonand totally obliterate Bikini Bottom. SpongeBob resolves to save the day.

Trolls LIVE!

Jan. 29-30 Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte Tickets $17-$62 This hair-raising adventure for Poppy, Branch and their friends is their frst live tour. The journey begins when Hug Time is unexpectedly put at risk. The characters know that the only way to save Hug Time is to put on a show with epic music, glitter, humor and happiness.

Wills and Documents

BY LISA S.T. DOSS

Most people wait! Sixty-eight percent of Americans believe time is on their side, despite life tossing us curveballs when we least expect them. By initiating the preparatory steps, you can establish directives, express wants and wishes to ultimately ease the burden and the minds of your loved ones. Without legal documents, families experience the heartache of questioning whether they made appropriate decisions. By assembling the necessary documents and wills, you are leading loved ones into a premediated and thoughtful plan of action.

Create a Master File

Who in the family knows where birth and marriage certificates, passports, titles, social security numbers, deeds, bank accounts, and tax documents are kept? Secrecy will not permit the estate to continue running smoothly if the keys remain in one pocket. Consider the master file an instruction manual for a trustworthy executor to move forward with your guidance. For ease of accessibility and updating options, consider using a USB or computer hard drive to manage files. Information from websites to passwords changes frequently; therefore, it may be a relief to organize digital files rather than a large quantity of paper.

What other documents should it include?

• A listing of accounts for all bills, including websites, log-in information, and passwords.

• A listing of retirement assets, including 401K, pensions, brokerage accounts, savings bonds, CD’s, money market accounts, and private equity investments.

• Additional investments, such as life insurance, health insurance, and social security documents and income.

• A detailed description of a safety deposit boxes’ contents, which may include valuable coins, heirloom items, or personal documents.

• The location of safes, lockboxes and corresponding codes.

• A listing of doctors, medications, and medical release forms.

• The Last Will and Testament loans, assets, income sources, trust funds, and life insurance policies. It’s also the proper time to expand on the will, if necessary.

The Executor of the Estate

Who do you trust to speak on your behalf about your medical, personal, legal, and financial affairs? It may be a spouse, daughter or son, relative, or close friend. In many instances, two people are given the title of “executor of the estate” to ensure at least one person can perform the duty in situations where the second person mentioned is unable to. With an official and signed Power of Attorney document, bearing a notary’s seal, the executor can legally sign contacts, pay bills, buy or sell stocks and bonds, manage real estate and other affairs.

Do not delay identifying and meeting with your executor. They will need to understand the details and the government requirements of serving as healthcare and financial agent and sign additional changes to the medical directives document and will.

What is an Advance Directive?

Expanding on your Will provides a document detailing your wishes regarding medical treatment. The advance directive is a written statement including wishes, such as answers regarding resuscitation, tube feeding, mechanical ventilation, organ donation, and palliative care. While some people wait until a life-threatening illness appears, others know their wishes and prepare early.

Secretly hiding your documented wishes does not serve to aid your immediate family, especially your health-care surrogate; instead, take time to inform essential people, including your primary care doctor, of your expressed directives.

Preparing Early is a Kind Act

Through it can feel morbid, making plans for your death truly is an act of kindness. Only God knows our destiny; therefore, it’s essential to prepare for an unforeseen illness or accident that may potentially leave you without a voice or written document to help loved ones know your wishes. Reflect upon your religious beliefs and begin writing. Start with an open conversation, discussing your ideas and intentions if the end should arrive sooner than expected. Your loved ones only say goodbye to the body; the information you provide is a final gift and received with appreciation!

BY LISA S.T. DOSS

Jonathan and Kylene Jones, authors of The Provident Prepper, A Common-Sense Guide to Preparing for Emergencies, did the unthinkable! In January, they intentionally turned off all power in their homes for one week. Kylene writes, “I much prefer my spoiled fully-electrified life, but by implementing a few important principles, you can make it without power. Advanced planning and preparation will make a significant difference in your comfort level. We learned valuable lessons from this experience. I had originally agreed to go for one week without electricity; yet, it was much more difficult than I had imagined. My entire focus centered on trying to stay warm.” The lessons derived from the Jones family experiment are similar to those who experience a crisis and take action to prepare for an inevitable future. The following suggestions may help you prepare for hours to days without electricity.

Light is Critical

How long would it take a member of your family to find a working flashlight? Rather than bumble in the dark, start spreading them around the home, especially near entrances to rooms and on the bottom and top of basement stairs. Alternative possibilities include solar lights, candles, and lanterns. Unfortunately, despite education and reminders to young children, curiosity often results in accidents leading to burns or house fires when an open flame is the primary source of light.

TIP: Learn about radiant heating by using the terracotta pot method. Three pots bolted together, standing on bricks, will generate heat for a small room from one candle.

Move to One Room

It’s far easier to keep one room in the house comfortable; therefore, consider your options. How about the living room where you can benefit from the warmth of a wood stove? If possible, close doors and use rolled towels to eliminate window and door drafts. Under-ground offers a consistent temperature; therefore, consider a room in the basement. Fuel-powered heaters using propane, kerosene, and gas come in different sizes and are labeled as “indoor-safe.” Ventilation is needed to burn efficiently and keep people contained in a room safe.

TIP: Never discard old blankets; instead, store them to cover windows, create a partition, use for bedding, or any viable means to conserve heat.

Place the box on an upper shelf in a closet to use in cases of dire emergencies.

TIP: Avoid sitting on tiled floor or foam padding.

Both can reduce heat loss due to conduction.

Also, always wear thick socks, slippers, or shoes, preventing cold surfaces from removing heat through your feet.

Warm Foods are Essential to Comfort

Fireplaces and propane ranges are ideal to heat foods without electricity. When the body is numb with cold, much of your effort will be in channeling ways to maintain warmth. Start stocking up on packets of hot cocoa or apple cider, canned soups, and other ready-made meals. Without a power source available, candles or camp stoves are adequate for heating. Drinking hot liquids hourly will aid in boosting your body temperature. It’s advisable to avoid consuming cold water and drinks.

Clothing and Accessories

As soon as temperatures start to drop, begin adding loose-fitting layers of warm clothes. Thermal underwear, pairs of socks, multiple shirts, mittens, and donning a fleece or wool hat that covers your ears will make it more difficult for heat to escape. Despite the need to replace them every few hours, hand warmers will immediately comfort cold hands and feet, forcing blood to circulate. Even plastic bags situated between two layers of socks will protect the feet from extreme wind. In moments when the family must walk in the snow, tie bags around the shoe to ensure socks remain dry.

TIP: Fill up water bottles with hot water and place them at the bottom of a sleeping bag. As the bottle generates heat, it will help warm the body or bodies zipped inside!

Frostnip and Frostbite

Our extremities are the most sensitive body parts that are susceptible to frostnip exposure. The nose, cheeks, ears, fingers, and toes will become numb. Prolonged symptoms may result in a prickly feeling, similar to that of burning. In time, the skin may appear waxy or discolored, turning white, red, gray, or yellow. As tissues reach an irreversible action of frostbite, blood flow stops.

Food is like the kindling of a fire. From its intake, the body gains energy to maintain levels of warmth. As a result, the body responds by increasing its fat stores; therefore, eat well this winter by consuming foods high in proteins, carbohydrates, and fats! Even if you don’t feel thirsty, hydrate!

THE

FancyFork

BY @BRIGHTMOMENTCO / LAUREN SEPHTON

Vegan Mushroom Bolognese

PREP TIME: 10 MIN | COOK TIME: 20 MIN | TOTAL TIME: 30 MIN | SERVINGS: 6-8

INGREDIENTS:

16 oz. cremini mushrooms, finely chopped 1 Tbsp. olive oil 1 yellow onion, finely chopped 2-3 medium carrots, finely grated 3-4 garlic cloves, minced 1 Tbsp. flour, or tomato paste 28 oz. crushed tomatoes 1 cup vegetable stock One-half cup red wine 1 Tbsp. dried Italian herbs 1/4 cup dairy-free cream cheese

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a Dutch oven, allow the olive oil to heat up over medium high heat for 1 minute. 2. Add in the finely chopped (the smaller, the better) mushrooms, minced garlic, and finely chopped yellow onion. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until most of the moisture from the mushrooms is released. Stir in the finely grated carrots (which will help mimic traditional

Bolognese texture). 3. Stir in the flour or tomato paste, and dried herbs. 4. Add the red wine to cook down for 2-3 minutes.

5. Stir in the crushed tomatoes and broth. 6. Stir in the dairy-free cream cheese, until all ingredients are well-combined. 7. Bring to a boil, then simmer with a lid for 10-15 minutes. 8. Enjoy warm with an ancient Tuscan grain pasta for best flavors!

What If?

Presents the Many Uses of Duct Tape BY LISA S.T. DOSS

“What-if?”, the worrisome words, arrive in the conscious spinning topics in our mind, from safety and financial security to loved ones and pet health. Asking, “What can I do?” leads to a proactive decision to invest time in the ultimate insurance policy—valuable life skills comprising security, shelter, food, water, and medical care! In any emergency, from extreme weather to a personal disaster, you have the power to take charge of your fate by making plans and taking action!

During World War II, a mother of two naval officers penned a letter to President Roosevelt. Vesta Stoudt wrote, “We can’t let them down by giving them a box of cartridges that takes a minute or two to open, enabling the enemy to take lives that might be saved had the box been taped with strong tape that can be opened in a split second. Please, Mr. President, do something about this at once; not tomorrow or soon, but now.”

Within two weeks, the hand drawing of the proposal passed from military officials to a company which specialized in medical supplies—Johnson & Johnson. The meshed and waterproof polyethylene plastic cloth provided the rubber-based adhesive that we have come to know as duct tape! Over the generations, its uses have well exceeded the inventors’ dreams! Oh, and the many uses! 1. FOOT WARMER: If needing an extra layer of protection, apply the tape on the inside of your shoes. While keeping out moisture, feet remain warm! 2. SEALING TEARS: One strip of duct tape can patch up holes in plastic materials, such as tents or ponchos, rubber boots, or bags. Additionally, it solves leaks in rain gutters or pipes. 3. REPAIR BROKEN GLASSES: A tiny sliver can offer a temporary solution to this problem, whether it’s the bridge or at the hinges. 4. AN ADEQUATE HEM: The strong adhesion can secure the temporary placement from denim to corduroy. 5. VEHICLE REPAIR: Duct tape may not receive the award for attractiveness; yet, it is sturdy enough to hold a bumper, window, or side mirror in place! 6. MARK THE DESTINATION: Small pieces taped on tree branches, spaced fairly close together, can lead an uncertain camper or hiker to his or her home base. 7. LEAVE A MESSAGE: The tape adheres to almost all flat surfaces due to its waterproof capabilities. Try spelling out a word using thin strips, such as creating an arrow or spelling S.O.S. 8. FIRST-AID SOLUTIONS: Duct tape has the capability of rescuing another person with quick action. With a few feet of tape, you can make a temporary sling or splint for a broken arm, remove splinters, treat a sprained ankle or wrist, hold band-aids in place, or create a rope by twisting it until it becomes a surprisingly strong cord. 9. WARTS, NOT A WIVES’ TALE: Medical centers recommend applying duct tape to a wart for six days, then soaking it in water; next, rub with a pumice stone. For 85% of a study group, the wart disappeared, creating a more effective treatment than freezing. 10. PET HAIR REMOVER: An effective method to remove excess lint or pet hair.

Wrap a strip around a roller or four fingers and press upon any material covered in unwanted hair. 11. PROTECT TREE LIMBS: Farmers and growers use duct tape to fix broken branches and stems. 12. FLYPAPER: Cut a long strip and hang it near your campsite, outdoor table, or outdoor chair. Within a short period, you’ll start trapping flies and mosquitoes. 13. HIDE VALUABLES: On the underside of a table or cabinet, keys, credit cards, billfolds or money and other valuables can be concealed with one piece of duct tape. 14. SEPARATE A ROOM: If planning to sand a room, use a plastic sheet and strips of duct tape to contain dust particles.

What Parts are Flammable?

The label says, “heat resistant”; that is, below 140 degrees, duct tape will not reach a burning or melting point even in the height of summer; however, under extreme cases or emergencies, for example, a fire exceeding 200 degrees, the adhesive and mesh will burn while the rubber loses its structure and melts. Thus, although other materials are better choices, duct tape can be a viable tool to start a fire. Place a roll of duct tape in your vehicle, house or tool shed, and consider keeping a few extras on hand for unexpected emergencies! If you understand all its multiple uses, duct tape is the solution adhesive, saving time and money!