Talking about personality, I think it's something that is peculiar to a person - it is what makes me unique and different from every other person out there. It could also mean our true self: how we react to issues, see, or do things in relation to others.
I have come to realize that my personality mean different things to different people on different occasions but there is always that part of me that shows itself most, especially when people get closer. It may not have appeared to them from a distance but it is a part of me that people point out to be a dominant component of my person.
Me on a normal day
All my life, I have always done things on my own without necessarily getting many people involved. I kept to myself most times, and I took things most persons would have taken casually quite seriously. It made me appear to many people as a chronic introvert who has no social life, charm or vibe. My facial expression was always mean, even though it was not intentional - I was not even aware of it. I hardly smiled or conversed openly with people - I spoke on low tones with as many as I chose to relate with on personal basis. But one thing always happened when people get closer to me. They suddenly realize that I am a very easygoing person with great charm and enthusiasm. They also get to know that I could be hilarious and playful as well. It was a shocker to many. Those who were expressive enough told me how shocked they were with their new discoveries about my person, while some kept mute. Those that told me were the majority, actually.
I would love to use a case of what happened while I was still a student for an example. I remember as a first year student of the university, I attended lectures alone, returned home alone. I always sat at the rear part of the class without saying a word to any one. This continued for a while until a day came when one of my course mates asked for my note. She wanted to make up hers since she couldn't catch up with the lecturer. I quietly gave her my note. On glancing through the note, she was very surprised to see how detailed, organized and up-to-date my note was. I guess she had noticed how much of a back sitter I was then - a back sitter who had a more comprehensive lecture note than those who would always secure the front seats.
That day, we got engaged in a discussion on issues concerning school. That was how we became good friends. She would come sit close to me while lectures were on, following my writing word for word. We did school work together, kept sitting space on each others behalf, and ultimately helped each other achieve great academic feats.
Me and friends on a hangout
It was one of those days while having a discussion, that she opened up to me how my mean look made it almost impossible for her to get close to me initially - she had been observing me from afar. She also told me how easygoing and selfless I had become towards her and towards those around me; how I made school work less stressful for her friends too (their notes were up-to-date as a result of my influence in her academic work). I was surprised to know that my little contributions to people around me could go that far, even though I was not loud about it. I got similar reports from my other friends and neighbours too. This made me understand how better I can use my personality to influence others positively, and still have my space.