Archive for October, 2008

INTJ

Monday, October 27th, 2008 | Life | 4 Comments

Taking a reprieve from my post series on respect, I wanted to write about something cool I (sort of) discovered today. Hayden over at Persistent Illusion wrote about Jungian personality types and the Myers-Briggs Personality test. She referred to pieces of the personality profiles as “freakishly accurate,” and I have to agree.

I took the full-blown test for a college class a year or two ago, and it came back as ISTJ. The full results are in a box somewhere, so I’ll have to go looking for those, but it probably wasn’t too different than what the two I took today were.

One came back INTJ, and one came back ISTJ, but but both toed the line between S and N. ITJ were solid for all 3 of the tests though. For those who have no clue what that means:

  • I for Introverted versus E for Extroverted
  • S for Sensory versus N for iNtuitive
  • T for Thinking versus F for Feeling
  • J for Judging versus P for Perceiving

There are long descriptions for each of the 16 possible combinations. After reading both ISTJ and INTJ, I believe that I fit better as an INTJ (with aspects of ISTJ).

Here are some examples of why I agree with Hayden in regards to “freakish accuracy,” and hopefully, this will allow anyone reading this to understand me better.

To outsiders, INTJs may appear to project an aura of “definiteness”, of self-confidence. This self-confidence, sometimes mistaken for simple arrogance by the less decisive, is actually of a very specific rather than a general nature; its source lies in the specialized knowledge systems that most INTJs start building at an early age.

I have noticed that some people seem to think that I can be arrogant (which is not completely untrue at times…), but that sentiment tends to vanish once they actually get to know me. I think it’s because I do possess, and often try to outwardly show, my self-confidence, which manifests itself in a dignified, gentlemanly attitude, and that sometimes gets misconstrued.

INTJs are natural leaders, although they usually choose to remain in the background until they see a real need to take over the lead. When they are in leadership roles, they are quite effective, because they are able to objectively see the reality of a situation, and are adaptable enough to change things which aren’t working well. They are the supreme strategists - always scanning available ideas and concepts and weighing them against their current strategy, to plan for every conceivable contingency.

This, especially the part about choosing to remain in the background, is very accurate. I don’t like the limelight; I don’t crave fame for my actions (a simple “thank you” will suffice). I’m even content to let others take the wheel, as long as they’re competent enough to drive.

For INTJs, love means including someone in their vision of the world. INTJ men tend to be attracted to partners who enjoy living their lives with and outward vitality and zest. Perhaps it is to compensate for their internal, visionary focus that they often find partners who are more outgoing and may even run interference to help the INTJ deal with the day-to-day world.

They say “opposites attract.” I think they’re onto something. That’s about all I’ll say about that for the moment, but let’s just say I hope they’re right. ;-]

When scorned, INTJs retreat to their own world and may share none of their feelings with others.

It’s really very difficult to make me angry. I mean, I may get agitated and/or annoyed, but it takes a lot to really piss me off. But, if it happens, I tend to withdraw, throw up walls, and fume for a while. It usually doesn’t last too long, but it’s usually wise not to push my buttons in the meantime. Just give me a punching bag.

As for my ISTJ roots:

ISTJs are easily frustrated by the inconsistencies of others, especially when the second parties don’t keep their commitments. But they usually keep their feelings to themselves unless they are asked. And when asked, they don’t mince words. Truth wins out over tact. The grim determination of the ISTJ vindicates itself in officiation of sports events, judiciary functions, or an other situation which requires making tough calls and sticking to them.

I don’t like indecision. I don’t care if you make a wrong choice, just pick something and stick with it. Make up your mind.

To sum it all up:

[An INTJ is an] “…observer, values solitude, perfectionist, detached, private… does not talk about feelings, hard to impress, analytical, likes esoteric things…”

I’m proud I’m an INTJ. It’s a part of who I am. I’m not strictly defined by it though, as there are certainly a lot of other aspects of my personality that are not listed here, and may not fit into this category. But this is definitely a good foundation for people who want to get to know me better.

Quotes taken from:

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Respect, Part 1: A Man’s Core Need

Tuesday, October 14th, 2008 | Life | No Comments

I’ve been listening to a series of messages from Liquid Church titled Love and Respect based on the book of the same name by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. It looks at Ephesians 5:33 and discusses the fundamental things that at their core, every person needs, and how for men and women, what’s at the top of that list differs.

For women, the need to feel loved, protected, and cared for is critical. She needs to know that her counterpart loves her deeply and would go to the ends of the earth for her. The unconditional love that Christ shows the church, enough to give His life for her, is what women need to see reflected in their own relationships.

Men, on the other hand, do not require that kind of love as much as they need respect.

In one national study [in 2004], four hundred men were given a choice between going through two different negative experiences. If they were forced to choose one of the following, which would they prefer to endure?

a) To be left alone and unloved in the world

b) To feel inadequate and disrespected by everyone

Seventy-four percent of these men said that if they were forced to choose, they would prefer being alone and unloved in the world.

- Love and Respect, Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

3 out of every 4 men would rather be alone and unloved, without a single person in their lives, than be looked upon by multitudes with scornful and disrespectful eyes.

If the key to a man’s soul is respect, what exactly does that mean? It’s a concept that our culture doesn’t seem to comprehend as adequately as it should. The Amplified Bible expands upon Eph. 5:33 and the idea of respect like this:

And let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband [that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him.

Notice that love is included in that definition, but it is the acknowledgment and admiration of who he is at his core that a man craves and thrives on. And it’s regardless of how badly he’s screwed up or if he’s even worthy of respect. Unconditional respect is the fuel for the fire of a man’s soul and has the ability to stir something in him to bring out the best of his character.

A perfect example of this is the interaction between David and Saul in 1 Samuel 24. At this point in time, King Saul loathes David and wants him dead, because when he heard that God had anointed David as king, from Saul’s perspective, all respect was gone, he had nothing left. Saul found out David was hiding in En Gedi, so he brought thousands of soldiers to kill him. He went into a cave to “relieve himself”, which happened to be the cave David and his men were hiding in. David realizes that even though Saul is practically insane and wants David dead, he’s still the King, so when Saul’s done peeing and leaves the cave, David follows him and shows him an incredible amount of respect, bowing down before him, knowing full well that his life was at risk. The effect this has on Saul is profound; it’s like he woke up from something and regained his confidence and self-control (think King Theoden in Lord of the Rings when Gandalf breaks Saruman’s curse. Same idea.)

David demonstrates the concept that God has placed people in positions of authority, and because of that fact, respect must be given to them, even if they do not deserve it. I suppose a prime example of this would be President Bush. This is a man who’s seen the harshest, relentless criticism thrown at him from all sides. And granted, some, if not most of that criticism is probably deserved. But the man is still the President of the United States, the leader of the most powerful country on Earth, a position we, I might add, elected him to, and so he deserves our respect and honor, our personal feelings about his deeds and actions aside.

Respect, the currency of a man’s self-worth, confidence, and spritual and mental well-being, must be given uncoditionally if he is to grow and thrive.

Next time we’ll take a look at some concrete examples of this concept in popular culture.

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The Clone Wars

Friday, October 10th, 2008 | Uncategorized | 2 Comments

“Ok you clankers, SUCK LASER!”

What.

The.

Hell.

I’m watching the pilot of the new Clone Wars series on Cartoon Network, and that actually came out of one of the clone troopers mouths. These guys are clones of the badass bounty hunter Jango Fett, trained in military maneuvers, tactics, and ettiquitte since they were created. Why are they yelling out a ridiculous phrase while recklessly heaving a minigun around? I understand the jokes when the helmets come off, but once the blaster bolts start flying…

Don’t even get me started on the droids. If I hear another droid spout off some asanine quip and act like a disobedient, bumbling idiot…these are computers! What moron programmed them to act so incompetent!?!

Yoda, on the other hand, is one redeeming force in this. 1. He’s Yoda. After his performance in Attack of the Clones, it’s a requirement to show off some more epic Yoda-Fu, and we are not disappointed. He takes down a battallion of battle droids. 2. He’s Yoda. They actually incorporated some good dialogue from him.

Plo Koon. Kel Dor Jedi.

Verdict on the second episode: PLO KOON! Best Jedi ever. I think they nailed his voice too. Deep and slightly gravelly, which is right for the mask. Can’t wait to see him in action.

Totally makes up for the reappearance of Ahsoka…

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Drunk Pumpkins

Friday, October 3rd, 2008 | Fun | No Comments

This, my friends, is what happens when a party gets out of hand. Some guys just get too much booze in them, and the next thing you know they’re stumbling around, bottles are getting knocked over, and there’s some guy puking his guts out on your front porch…

I hope somebody took away their keys...

I hope somebody took away their keys...

Drink responsibly, folks. Don’t be that guy. ;)

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