To thine own self be true

On By K.L. HaleIn Daily Blog, Uncategorized

How well do you know yourself?

Even at a young age I was observant. If others around me were having conflict, or even experiencing harmony, I could feel it. In some ways it was if I could read others’ minds. Of course, that’s the stuff in which dreams are made.

Questioning the existence of God, the universe, the sky, and WHY things were the way they were was just part of daily thinking. Vividly, I remember thinking by Junior High, “I just don’t fit.” My empathy for others was so strong. At times it’s a gift. And sometimes a curse. Looking for hidden meanings, significance, and intentions could describe my interactions with people.

Getting lost in my meditative world is still something I do. My T.V. is currently off. Notifications are off. Phone is silent. The light of the day is streaming into my camper window. The shadows of the trees are dancing on the floor. The rest of the world is quiet. No disruption.

Even in my dreamy and artistic swing, I’m still a concrete gal. I have goals. I create them and I strive to meet them. Hunches are something I’ve leaned on~and intuition runs high.

Sitting at the neurologist’s office each year for the last 5 has been intriguing. Although short-term memory better than it was, it doesn’t seem to bother me that I forget the mundane. Because my mind has awakened to the part of me I remember from childhood. The part where I write, create, and imagine. Not the part where I struggled to fit in and searched in all the WRONG PLACES in the WRONG WAY to feel “normal”.

Being a good listener is important to me. Do you listen to yourself? Most importantly, do you hear the voice of the one WHO IS, WHO WAS, and WHO IS STILL TO COME? He molded you. He knew who you were before you were born. YOU ARE UNIQUE. We all have “quirks”. For me, observing others is a way to learn. It’s not judging. It’s easy for me to understand different views. However for some who wish to never change their thinking or learning, understanding other point of views equates to believing them.

https://www.16personalities.com/personality-types

As a student, teacher, and administrator, the M.B.T.I. (Meyer-Briggs Type Indicator) was used to distinguish the 16 personality traits. I double-dog dare you to take it.

Take it with an open mind. Never stop learning. Use this knowledge in your workplace, within your relationships, and how you operate in our world.

I’m an INFJ~A. In the 8 year span since I last took the test, I’ve become a bit more introverted. However, knowing these things about myself answers many questions I’ve had over the years. And still, I hold tight to my faith and the words of truth that are concreted in my heart and soul.

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

Romans 12:2
Have faith 💚
~I see a child, I see my own (and grandson and grandgirl to arrive soon)
~I see family, I see my life
~I see a school, I see a past career
~I see a campground, I see my current home
~I hear laughing, I hear my life
~I hear crying, I hear everyone
~I see forests, I see paths
~I hear music, I hear God
~I walk a trail, I'm walking ahead
~I climb a mountain, I'm reaching heaven
~I fall, I get up
~I sleep, I dream big
~I heal, I become stronger
~I question, I learn
~I let go, I gain
~I disagree, I respect
~I love, I love more
~I wait, I watch
~I'm quirky, I'm me 
~I am able to think, therefore I exist.
💚

61 thoughts on “To thine own self be true”

  3. I took your dare 🙂

    I’ve always been INFP or INFJ (not real strong on P or J). Personality testing was part of one of the projects my business communication students had to do followed by a group project on Personality Testing in the Workplace — two possible projects; Personality Tests in Hiring or in Team Building. My SECRET motive was helping them determine if they were in the right major. An ancillary benefit to me was learning that anyone majoring in business was likely to be a marked Extrovert. That meant I couldn’t deal with them as if they were like me (strong introvert) but I had to be far more outspoken and what I considered “rough.” They were fine with it.

    Every semester I took the same test you linked and another one, linked below. You can see from the appearance of the website it’s been around a while:

    http://www.humanmetrics.com/personality

    While I was teaching, I learned that I was far more “J” at the end of the semester when I was doing final grades (ha ha). Since I retired, the flipping has stopped and I am “P” though still not very strong. I imagine, given the circumstances, it could flip back again. But now I’m free not to “J” and I don’t except for my own life and actions.

    On the other test, which I just took, I scored: INFJ. You can see how close J and P are…

    INFJ
    Introvert(69%) iNtuitive(16%) Feeling(19%) Judging(3%)
    You have distinct preference of Introversion over Extraversion (69%)
    You have slight preference of Intuition over Sensing (16%)
    You have slight preference of Feeling over Thinking (19%)
    You have marginal or no preference of Judging over Perceiving (3%)

    My greatest teacher — Goethe — was INFJ and it was his “J” that taught me what I desperately needed to know, that is to look straight at reality for what it is. Teaching logic

    for 20 years helped, too. “P”s are a little less grounded (ha ha). Shakespeare was INFP so I guess I have to be content with the fact that Goethe admired Shakespeare. 😉

    I love C.S. Lewis. Before I moved to Colorado, I unloaded a bunch of books and the ones I kept were those that mattered to me. Among them is “The Great Divorce.” It helped me so much contend with having to walk away from “helping” my alcoholic brother.

    ❤

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    1. Yay! Interesting 🤔….I just had this feeling we fell into similar categories. Before I struggled with some cognitive processing deficits, I was more “P”. Due to HAVING to check off my lists and set goals, my “J” has increased. My “J” has kept me logically and sometimes to a fault. I’m going to jump to the link you provided~yes, I’ve used this one before! I can remember taking admin classes and as a group, review our findings 🤔 I’m also the slowest driver in the group I’m sure. I need to read the book you kept. C.S. Lewis is amazing.

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    2. Martha, here’s my human metrics results~ Introvert(56%) iNtuitive(44%) Feeling(22%) Judging(9%) I’m pretty sure this is the test I took in college too. 💚
      You have moderate preference of Introversion over Extraversion (56%)
      You have moderate preference of Intuition over Sensing (44%)
      You have slight preference of Feeling over Thinking (22%)
      You have slight preference of Judging over Perceiving (9%)

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      1. Hmmmm. Interesting. I’ve had several friends (and my twin) take it recently and I was the only INFJ. You are uniquely you no matter~and add glitter and glow! 💚🧚‍♂️ ✨

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  4. I love this post. Related to a lot. I’m an INFP. Never saw that last thing until recently. According to online test I’m T maybe. If I remember. I’ve not read up on it to know…
    The more time passes the more I can balance other sides, learn more extraversion. I enjoy sensory things anyways. The J is the side I completely lack by nature. But because of that I can actually be really prepared and organised in some ways.
    Love, light and 4

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    1. Hmm. Most are more likely to be introverts. The more N the more airy fairy the book, the more S the more down to earth. The more T the more about theory and thoughts, the more F the more novels and emotions.

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      2. J will be more structured and probably better writing than the P. Like I can’t write if I’ve stopped in the middle. Nor edit. Just go with the flow. When I try to make sure it makes sense it makes much less sense than it would have….

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  6. Wonderful quotes from C. S. Lewis. During my teaching career and now with my writing, I have always been eager to learn and move myself forward. My writing has opened new rooms for me to explore, and they are much different than all of those years in the classroom. At the heart of it, I have discovered new adventures through my pen.

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    1. How exciting! Learning is so wonderful~and the spiritual growth is fantastic. I was hesitant and almost nervous to begin a blog~and I’m so glad I did. To find inspiration and likeminded peers and friends such as you has encouraged me so much. 💚

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  7. ISFJ-A—-The Defender 🙂
    Queen Elizabeth, Captain America and you 🙂
    —-I love it!!! And my 31 year old son will love knowing his mother is Captain America—ironically as a kid in the early 60’s, Captain America was my favorite super hero

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  8. Phenomenal and powerful post!! I want to come back later to take that test. I’m intrigued. I too have learned to lean on my own understanding based on the still small voice that lives within my heart. Without God, I would crumble. Just so love your energy and the way you live. Keep shining your precious and unique light!! xo

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  9. Good afternoon Karla, what a wonderful way to get to know you better. May I ask the reason for a neurologist in your life? I marvel at the openness in your spirit to imagine, to wonder, to be intentional at drowning out the world as you hear His voice speak to your soul. I am blessed to be here and to be connected with you. I will be in touch about our conversation the other night.. Lord, we love You and we trust you to order our steps and speak life into what’s failing. Love in Christ, Julie

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    1. Julie, thank you so much for reading and responding. To answer your question, I had suffered a TBI that had resulted from a couple of hits on the head (one in a motorcycle accident years ago). I’m combination with a neck injury and an episode of trauma experienced in a manual neck adjustment. Mild cognitive impairment in just 3 areas that have improved greatly in 5 years~some irreversible, yet many ways strengths found that were not there. The head can take a lot and the brain is an amazing and crazy thing. I’m blessed to know you and learn from you. Stay in touch indeed as we hear the next steps. You are listening. I am listening. And the open communication with our Heavenly Father is definitely a guiding light. I have so many great teachers surrounding me on this WP journey. And ultimately, the best teacher in Christ indeed! 💚❤️🤗💕

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    1. I’m so sorry I’m just now reading this! I was investigating my site on my laptop and found an area for spam I’ve never visited. And this comment was in there! Oh my! I’m humbled by your nomination. That is so kind! I’ll visit your site indeed. Thank you again. 💚

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      2. Thank you again! It’s a busy busy summer at the campground. I’m happy folks feel “safe” to get out and come here. We are tucked away in our own little piece of the world 🌎. I hope all is well with home renovations and your summer!

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  11. I could identify with your description of yourself as a youngster. I remember thinking “I don’t fit” too, even though I had a lot of friends. I felt empathy for the outcast and questioned everything relentlessly.
    I did take the Myers-Briggs test years ago, as part of an in-service program. I am an ENFP.

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  14. I can relate so much to this post. I’m also an INFJ 🙂
    Trying to be ‘normal’ gave me headaches and let me forget myself. I still wonder what ‘normal’ looks like but now I think I can’t be bothered anymore. Cause we are unique.

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  15. Yes — this essay is like an intriguing maze -like puzzle. Each idea stands well on its own, but walking through the whole thing leads back and around and into more thoughts and other avenues. As hard to explain for me as it was a joy to read for me. Keep traveling, with self, “HE WHO IS” and others –your journey helps us all. Shalom, Jane

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