Here’s the thing about me.  I LOVE people.  I could (and do) talk to just about anyone.  Remember that rule “Don’t talk to strangers?”   Well, I must have missed that one.  Just ask my mom and she’ll tell ya, every time we go out I seem to make new “friends.”  Whether we’re at the grocery store with the cashier, at the mall with  the makeup lady, at Target with another customer, or just holding the door for a stranger, I LOVE people!

Working as a waitress, I do the same thing… I TALK!  I hope to someday be a motivational speaker.  I want to spend time talking to others about what they eat and how to be healthy.  Ask my friends and they’ll tell you just how ‘social’ I am.  But here’s the thing… sometimes it’s nice to be… ALONE.

I NEED to be alone.  As much as I value time with people, I also value time alone, all by myself.  It’s when I’m all by myself that I can think, dream, read, write and reflect.  I love to be with people because I want to impact people.  I want to show them my joy so that I can point them to Jesus Christ.  I want to invest in the lives of others, enjoy their friendship, learn from them and help them reach their full potential.  But I can’t do that ALL the time.  I have begun to realize how important it is to spend time alone.

Luke 5:16 says, ““Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”

I can’t be my best around people if I haven’t spent time alone.  Whether it’s in my morning ‘quiet time’ reading the Bible, or simply resting in the afternoon… being alone gives me the energy and desire to be with people again.  My new favorite way to ‘get away’ is to head to this little cafe about a half mile from where I work.  I enjoy the walk, the fresh air, and God’s beautiful creation along the way.  I think about the day, my friends, my responsibilities… and I am thankful.  There’s great internet connection so I bring my laptop, pop in my headphones, order some tasty food and I ‘blog!’  I look forward to this time alone as much as I enjoy hanging out with my friends.

You guys know I’m all about ‘balance’ when it comes to eating, but I’m also all about ‘balance’ when it comes to other areas of life!  Time with people needs to be balanced with time alone!

What about you?  Are you a people person?  Do you enjoy time alone?  …or are you like me, and you need both?!