The Power of Introverts

I was listening to the talk on TED by Susan Cain, the New York times best selling author, who wrote a book called "The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking. As an introvert myself, I was able to relate myself a lot to her and be encouraged.
First, i was wondering why this book became the best seller, and i think the reason is according to the book, a third to a half of the population in the U.S. are introverts and i am sure they were eager to hear to pep-talk as much as i am. We live in a world that values extroverted people and that sees introverted people as a misfit to a society.

We used to value people of strong moral character in the past, such as Abraham Lincoln and Rosa Parks, but now we value those of extroverted and confident people. One driving force behind this cultural revolution was urbanization. I really think that America is getting more and more individualistic to the point that there is almost no communal life. Even in churches, people just come and go, without saying hi to the person next to them. We also barely know our neighbors because we are too busy caring about ourselves in this busy, competitive world. I am sad to say that i am also accommodating to the current U.S. culture.

I have lived in the U.S. for quite a while (almost 9 years) and i have to say it is still my struggle to accommodate myself to American values. However, today i reflect this view again after hearing Susan's talk whether this is necessary. And i believe that i don't have to, and i shouldn't. I don't have to feel guilty about being an introvert even though when there's a group project and presentation i get nervous and have a hard time speaking in front of others, but i can always focus on the things that i am good at and think positively. But, i think that this will be a constant fight. I prefer much spending time alone or with a few close friends to going to a party with loud music. I have heard many many times that i should go more often to social gatherings and mingle with people, but i'd rather do these things when i want to. I am remember also my friends who have expressed their stress for having to adjust to the Culture of Personality. One friend of mine expressed that she feels tired and somewhat angered because other people expect her to talk and think she is an extrovert when she is not. I totally understand her and i think people should just be themselves, no matter what other people say. This is going to be a challenge, but life will be totally wasted if we try to live up for other people's expectation.

But, i have to say though... that i love extroverted people. I think extroverted people are fun in general and they are great at making conversations. However, i think introverted people should be recognized for their strength as well. Rosa Park was probably a "nobody" in her childhood but she was strong in her moral character like no other and she was driven by her such inner strength to stand up for things that matter a  lot to her. She didn't care whether people recognized her deeds because all she cared was whether she was following her beliefs and her conscience was clear.