Me Part II

I'm arrogant enough that I take pleasure in knowing that my personality type (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging) makes up just over 2% of the population. I like being considered different, as you probably know. I take great pleasure in being in this particular group with Chaucer, (yes, I am name dropping in the most shameful sense, but bear with me) Robert Burns, Jimmy Carter, Mother Theresa, Shirley Maclaine, Martin Luther King Jr., and Nelson Mandela (I've only named my very favorites.) At least, according to my results of the Personality Quiz by HumanMetrics that I mentioned a couple of posts ago. Now, if I could only boast to be in with Albert Einstein and Mark Twain, why, I believe I would swoon!
I mention this sort of outrageous companionism because I've always been strangely comforted by such lists. I don't know why, as I'm not a person that enjoys flattery, but for some reason give me a list of others that I can be grouped together with (no matter how eroneously) and I think "ooooh!"
It's silly, I know! But there you have it.

On to my point.
My results of the aforementioned quiz brought up some very interesting things for me. I've never delved too deeply into formal psychology, though I tend to travel inward into my own psyche quite often. But, as it's Me, I pretty much see it as sometimes "completely out there" at worst, to "a peculiarity" at best. One only knows his (her) own mind, after all.

I found lots of things intriguing, interesting, and thought provoking about this quiz and the results. Some I had never before considered, others were not news to me.

Here are some of the things that I find most interesting (this information was copied from TypeLogic, written by Joe Butt and Marina Margaret Heiss), though I found the whole thing absolutely true regarding "who I am".

"Those who are activists -- INFJs gravitate toward such a role -- are there for the cause, not for personal glory or political power."
Of course. I (and surely others like me) don't see what the purpose would be to pretend you're something you're not. It doesn't benefit personal evolution. What good would being pretentious bring to the world at large?

"INFJs are champions of the oppressed and downtrodden."
I've known and understood my whole life that I'm a champion of the underdog.

"Though affable and sympathetic to most, INFJs are selective about their friends. Such a friendship is a symbiotic bond that transcends mere words."
Very true about my friendships and people preferences. Although "symbiotic" made me smile - as I thought of rhinos and the tickbird.

"...introverted intuition frees this type to act insightfully and spontaneously as unique solutions arise on an event by event basis."
I would like to think that I can rise to a particular occasion.

"...expresses a range of emotion and opinions of, for and about people. INFJs, like many other FJ types, find themselves caught between the desire to express their wealth of feelings and moral conclusions about the actions and attitudes of others, and the awareness of the consequences of unbridled candor."
lol Yes. Didn't I get in trouble with this recently? In fact, several times this last year?
And continuing on....
"Some vent the attending emotions in private, to trusted allies. Such confidants are chosen with care, for INFJs are well aware of the treachery that can reside in the hearts of mortals."
Ahem. Moving on.....

"... thinking is introverted, turned toward the subject....A comrade might surmise that such detachment signals a disillusionment, that she has also been found lacking by the sardonic eye of this one who plumbs the depths of the human spirit.... such distancing is merely an indication that the seer is hard at work and focusing energy into this less efficient tertiary function."
Absolutely. I'm often intrigued by others comments and questions, and then able to delve into my own mind to see what's in there.....

"Sensing, however, is the weakest of the INFJ's arsenal and the most vulnerable. INFJs, like their fellow intuitives, may be so absorbed in intuitive perceiving that they become oblivious to physical reality"
Yes. I'm often astounded that others are seemingly unaffected by the chaos that surrounds me in a certain situation, when I feel energy stabbing and shooting about (from) me; I feel it so keenly that it seems strange that others don't run away from me at once!, until I remember to reign it in, to contain it.

"Strongly humanitarian in outlook, INFJs tend to be idealists, and because of their J (justice) preference for closure and completion, they are generally "doers" as well as dreamers. This rare combination of vision and practicality often results in INFJs taking a disproportionate amount of responsibility in the various causes to which so many of them seem to be drawn.
Aah. This accounts for my need to fix the world's wrongs.

"They are, in fact, sometimes mistaken for extroverts because they appear so outgoing and are so genuinely interested in people -- a product of the Feeling function they most readily show to the world. On the contrary, INFJs are true introverts, who can only be emotionally intimate and fulfilled with a chosen few from among their long-term friends, family, or obvious "soul mates." "
I said earlier, before I lost this post, that I thought The Mamas would be surprised at hearing me graded as an introvert, as most of them are more quiet than I. Then I came to the conclusion that they must mostly be introverts, too. I'm just the noisiest one, probably. Could be because I'm the eldest, and coming into my own (again) while nearing the big 4-0. Could be because I spent my twenties working in bars, learning how to stand up for myself, and to not take any shit. Could be just because I'm bossy by nature.
Continuing this paragraph:
While instinctively courting the personal and organizational demands continually made upon them by others, at intervals INFJs will suddenly withdraw into themselves, sometimes shutting out even their intimates. This apparent paradox is a necessary escape valve for them, providing both time to rebuild their depleted resources and a filter to prevent the emotional overload to which they are so susceptible as inherent "givers."
I think this is true, but only of my intimates. My family, my extended family, and with close friends. I simply haven't the energy or desire to be a people-pleaser for The World At Large. I just don't have it in me.

This part was from Keirsey, written by Prometheus Nemeses Book Company
"Counselors (INFJ, Idealists) are not reluctant to express their feelings, their face lighting up with the positive emotions, but darkening like a thunderhead with the negative. Indeed, because of their strong ability to take into themselves the feelings of others, Counselors can be hurt rather easily by those around them.."
How interesting. It's true that emotions are on my face. It's amazing that my face isn't terribly wrinkled or permanently in a scowl. As for others affecting me - my goodness, I can't even express how affected I am by Eric's or my mother's moods. It's amazing.

"Usually self-expression comes more easily to INFJs on paper..."
Aaah. Imagine that! I'm sure they meant the keyboard, too.....

I've got more to say on this subject, but for now I'm going to read about my friend's profiles, because I am terribly curious.

As usual, this topic is To Be Continued....