we are humans.
Is anyone as else incredibly interested in the analysis of human motive and general personalities as I?
I've been thumbing a book, recommended by my dear sister-in-law, about behavior and tendencies in personality types. Well, Duke thinks it's like a fancy horoscope- where people see what they want to see of themselves in self analysis. I agree to some extent, but I'm still having fun with it. (He is likely to be horrified by this post.)
I say to myself, "I think so-and-so is a 'Type One: Reformer' and maybe I should have them read tell me what they think they are to see if we all just see what they want... Or maybe because what's-her-face is a 'Type Two: Helper' and if I were to praise her just a little more she'd..." Anyway, it's a potentially dangerous world for me; lab coat and superior attitude (because I read a book so I know smart stuff). I've kept it in check, pacing the halls of my own brain, thinking about my motives and tenancies. I am the lab-rat.
Here's the category I put myself into (Type Seven: Enthusiast):
When I'm mentally healthy: "Highly responsive, excitable, enthusiastic about sensation and experience. Most extroverted type: stimuli bring immediate responses- they find everything invigorating. Lively, vivacious, eager, spontaneous, resilient, cheerful./Easily become accomplished achievers, generalists who do many different things well: multitalented. Practical, productive, usually prolific, cross-fertilizing areas of interest. At their best: Assimilate experiences in depth, making them deeply grateful and appreciative for what they have. Become awed by the simple wonders of life; joyous and ecstatic. Imitations of spiritual reality, of the boundless goodness of life."
At an average mental health: "As appetites increase, become acquisitive, materialistic, "worldly-wise," constantly amusing themselves with new things and experiences: the sophisticate, connoisseur, and consumer. Money, variety, keeping up with the latest trends important./ Become hyperactive, unable to say no to themselves, to deny themselves anything. Uninhibited, doing and saying whatever comes to mind: storytelling, flamboyant exaggerations, wisecracking, performing. Fear being board, so keep in perpetual motion, but do too many things- become superficial dilettantes./ Conspicuous consumption and all forms of excess. Self-centered and greedy, never feeling that they have enough. Demanding and pushy, yet unsatisfied, crude, jaded. Addictive, hardened, insensitive."
Mentally Unhealthy: Become offensive and abusive while going after what they want. Impulsive and infantile: do not know when to stop. Addictions and excesses take their toll, leaving debauched, depraved, dissipated escapists./ In flight from self, they act out impulses rather than deal with anxiety or frustrations: go out of control, have erratic mood swings, and act compulsively (manias)./ Finally, their energy and health is completely spent: become claustrophobic and panic stricken. Often give up on themselves and life; deep depression and despair."
Fortunately, I see myself on the healthier side of that scale, but I would say my greatest trials come in the forms I found written among the "average" and "unhealthy," illuminating principles that I already knew; we truly are a human family- living unique lives with similar life-experiences and struggles; fighting our own brand of 'natural-man,' and working to become our best selves. I actually quite enjoy knowing that I am joined by so very many other humans in my strengths and weaknesses. (Steven Spielberg, Elizabeth Taylor, Mozart, Robin Williams, Jim Carrey, Elton John, Bruce Willis, Regis Philbin, and Larry King; to name a few.)
Anyway, I've gotten WAY off track. What I meant to say is this; I have about forty, different, undeveloped hobbies. I get very excited about things in the beginning and then let the ball drop when something new and more exciting comes along. Once I picked up a Ukulele. Then I put it down. Now I've picked it up again. Can I just say, I adore my sweet husband? He is a hobby I will never quit.
I bet you are tired of hearing these little blurbs about personality... but I'm not tired of sharing.
So here's a little Duke for you. (I won't even bother with the unhealthy because he's such a rock.)
Type Six: The Loyalist
Healthy:"Able to engage others and identify with them; steadfast, earnest, and affectionate. Trust important: bonding with others, forming relationships and alliances./ Dedicated to individuals and movements in which they deeply believe. Community builders: responsible, reliable, trustworthy. Good foresight and strong organizational ability: natural troubleshooters. Hardworking and persevering, sacrificing for others; they create stability and security in self-affirming, trusting of self and others, independent yet symbiotically interdependent and cooperative, as an equal. Belief in self leads to true courage, positive thinking, leadership, and rich self-expression."
Average:"Start investing their time and energy into whatever they believe will be safe and stable. Organizing and structuring, they look to alliances and authorities for security and continuity. Make many commitments to others, hoping they will be reciprocated. Constantly vigilant, anticipating problems. They seek clear guidelines and feel more secure when systems and procedures are well-defined./ To resist having more demands made on them, they react against others passive-aggressively. Become evasive, indecisive, cautious, procrastinating, and ambivalent. Strong self-doubt as well as suspicion about others' motives. Are highly reactive, anxious, and complaining, giving contradictory "mixed signals." Internal confusion makes them react unpredictably./ To compensate for insecurities, the become belligerent, mean-spirited, and sarcastic, blaming others for problems. Highly partisan and defensive, dividing people into friends and enemies while looking for threats to own security. Authoritarian, prejudices, and fear-instilling to silence their own fears."
You know who else is like that? (George Bush, Tom Hanks, Jay Leno, Johnny Carson, Princess Diana, Julia Roberts, Woody Allen, Richard Nixon, and Marilyn Monroe.)
Ok, sorry I went off quoting a ton of this book like that! Hopefully you skimmed if it's not your cup of tea!
There is no end to my fascination with all things human.
The end. Finally.
I've been thumbing a book, recommended by my dear sister-in-law, about behavior and tendencies in personality types. Well, Duke thinks it's like a fancy horoscope- where people see what they want to see of themselves in self analysis. I agree to some extent, but I'm still having fun with it. (He is likely to be horrified by this post.)
I say to myself, "I think so-and-so is a 'Type One: Reformer' and maybe I should have them read tell me what they think they are to see if we all just see what they want... Or maybe because what's-her-face is a 'Type Two: Helper' and if I were to praise her just a little more she'd..." Anyway, it's a potentially dangerous world for me; lab coat and superior attitude (because I read a book so I know smart stuff). I've kept it in check, pacing the halls of my own brain, thinking about my motives and tenancies. I am the lab-rat.
Here's the category I put myself into (Type Seven: Enthusiast):
When I'm mentally healthy: "Highly responsive, excitable, enthusiastic about sensation and experience. Most extroverted type: stimuli bring immediate responses- they find everything invigorating. Lively, vivacious, eager, spontaneous, resilient, cheerful./Easily become accomplished achievers, generalists who do many different things well: multitalented. Practical, productive, usually prolific, cross-fertilizing areas of interest. At their best: Assimilate experiences in depth, making them deeply grateful and appreciative for what they have. Become awed by the simple wonders of life; joyous and ecstatic. Imitations of spiritual reality, of the boundless goodness of life."
At an average mental health: "As appetites increase, become acquisitive, materialistic, "worldly-wise," constantly amusing themselves with new things and experiences: the sophisticate, connoisseur, and consumer. Money, variety, keeping up with the latest trends important./ Become hyperactive, unable to say no to themselves, to deny themselves anything. Uninhibited, doing and saying whatever comes to mind: storytelling, flamboyant exaggerations, wisecracking, performing. Fear being board, so keep in perpetual motion, but do too many things- become superficial dilettantes./ Conspicuous consumption and all forms of excess. Self-centered and greedy, never feeling that they have enough. Demanding and pushy, yet unsatisfied, crude, jaded. Addictive, hardened, insensitive."
Mentally Unhealthy: Become offensive and abusive while going after what they want. Impulsive and infantile: do not know when to stop. Addictions and excesses take their toll, leaving debauched, depraved, dissipated escapists./ In flight from self, they act out impulses rather than deal with anxiety or frustrations: go out of control, have erratic mood swings, and act compulsively (manias)./ Finally, their energy and health is completely spent: become claustrophobic and panic stricken. Often give up on themselves and life; deep depression and despair."
Fortunately, I see myself on the healthier side of that scale, but I would say my greatest trials come in the forms I found written among the "average" and "unhealthy," illuminating principles that I already knew; we truly are a human family- living unique lives with similar life-experiences and struggles; fighting our own brand of 'natural-man,' and working to become our best selves. I actually quite enjoy knowing that I am joined by so very many other humans in my strengths and weaknesses. (Steven Spielberg, Elizabeth Taylor, Mozart, Robin Williams, Jim Carrey, Elton John, Bruce Willis, Regis Philbin, and Larry King; to name a few.)
Anyway, I've gotten WAY off track. What I meant to say is this; I have about forty, different, undeveloped hobbies. I get very excited about things in the beginning and then let the ball drop when something new and more exciting comes along. Once I picked up a Ukulele. Then I put it down. Now I've picked it up again. Can I just say, I adore my sweet husband? He is a hobby I will never quit.
I bet you are tired of hearing these little blurbs about personality... but I'm not tired of sharing.
So here's a little Duke for you. (I won't even bother with the unhealthy because he's such a rock.)
Type Six: The Loyalist
Healthy:"Able to engage others and identify with them; steadfast, earnest, and affectionate. Trust important: bonding with others, forming relationships and alliances./ Dedicated to individuals and movements in which they deeply believe. Community builders: responsible, reliable, trustworthy. Good foresight and strong organizational ability: natural troubleshooters. Hardworking and persevering, sacrificing for others; they create stability and security in self-affirming, trusting of self and others, independent yet symbiotically interdependent and cooperative, as an equal. Belief in self leads to true courage, positive thinking, leadership, and rich self-expression."
Average:"Start investing their time and energy into whatever they believe will be safe and stable. Organizing and structuring, they look to alliances and authorities for security and continuity. Make many commitments to others, hoping they will be reciprocated. Constantly vigilant, anticipating problems. They seek clear guidelines and feel more secure when systems and procedures are well-defined./ To resist having more demands made on them, they react against others passive-aggressively. Become evasive, indecisive, cautious, procrastinating, and ambivalent. Strong self-doubt as well as suspicion about others' motives. Are highly reactive, anxious, and complaining, giving contradictory "mixed signals." Internal confusion makes them react unpredictably./ To compensate for insecurities, the become belligerent, mean-spirited, and sarcastic, blaming others for problems. Highly partisan and defensive, dividing people into friends and enemies while looking for threats to own security. Authoritarian, prejudices, and fear-instilling to silence their own fears."
You know who else is like that? (George Bush, Tom Hanks, Jay Leno, Johnny Carson, Princess Diana, Julia Roberts, Woody Allen, Richard Nixon, and Marilyn Monroe.)
Ok, sorry I went off quoting a ton of this book like that! Hopefully you skimmed if it's not your cup of tea!
There is no end to my fascination with all things human.
The end. Finally.
Comments
Brie