Ok.  I’ll admit it. I’m a loner sometimes. 

I’m an introvert by nature, and I’ve had to force myself to learn to be more outgoing and engaging with other people. 

This also means that, by nature, it’s often difficult for me to ask for help from others.  

I prefer to handle things myself.  When something bothers me, I tend to internalize it rather than express it openly. 

I’ve often envied extroverted friends of mine.  But the more I’ve talked about this with those friends, I’ve learned that no matter who you are, you’ll run into your fair share of “perks” & “probs.”  It’s much less about comparison and much more about learning to both leverage your strengths and grow in your areas of weakness. 

If you’re like me, then something like accountability, or being “OPEN,” can seem really daunting.  The bottom line, though, is that none of us were meant to walk this journey of life alone. 

We all need, and I believe deep down we all desire, community.  And being open and accountable will only help to build community into your life – and that’s a good thing! 

You don’t have to be an extrovert to do this.  You don’t have to be a social butterfly or share your life with everyone you meet.  Find those close friends who truly care about you, and get OPEN.  Commit to walking through the struggles of life together with transparency and honesty. 

Check out the book Open – it has some incredible insights on how to get started and how to live a life of openness, accountability, and community

We all need community.  Introvert or extrovert, loner or socialite – invite community into your life and you will never look back.  Don’t put it off for “another time.”  Today is the day to get open. 

What about you?  Does openness come easy for you?  What things are you doing to build community into your life?  I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!