My Myers-Briggs Score

I have always been interested in psychology--specifically personality testing. It's actually strange, because I'm usually not into the theoretical, and I have little interest in areas like philosophy, etc. But I am fascinated by this aspect of psychology.

I took the Myers-Briggs personality test for the first time when I was in high school, back in 1989. It's interesting to note that my results are basically the same as they were back then. I am of the belief that people's basic personality types do not change. However, a person can learn to become more like their opposite characteristic, if the situation calls for it.

The developers of this test stated that there are basically 16 types of people in this world. Some of the personality types are quite rare, while others are quite prevalent. Anyway, they theorized that each personality type would handle situations in life in a different way, and by knowing their type, a person could become more self-aware.

I am an ISFJ or ISFP...it really depends on my mood when I take the test. I am going to go letter-by-letter and explain what those letters mean.

A person can either be an "I" (introvert)or an "E" (extrovert). I am actually a pretty strong introvert. That means that I tend to be shy, quiet, and I don't mind being by myself. But, the strange thing is I have a job as a teacher. When I get in front of my class, I am confident, outgoing, and in control. I am also that way when it comes to public speaking. I would have absolutely no problem giving a speech to room full of 500 people.

But with all that being said, I am still a very shy person, and I SOMETIMES have a problem with small talk. So even though that element of my personality is somewhat adaptable, I still tend be more comfortable with the quiet side of my personality.

The next letter combo is either and S or and N. An "S" person is a Senser. They tend to prefer facts. This is definitely where I lie. This is one of the reasons why I am fairly good at trivia. I tend to remember facts about people, events, etc. I do enjoy reading fiction, but prefer non-fiction...if it is about a subject that interests me.

A person who is an "N" is an iNtuitive. Intuitive people prefer theories and ideas. They like to get into deep philosophical discussions about politics, religion, etc. I'm glad that there are people like that in this world, but that's just not me.

The next pair of letters deals with how a person makes their decisions. A person can either be an "F" (feeler) or "T" for (thinker). I am a pretty strong F.

I tend to make a lot of my decisions based on what my emotions tell me about the situation. Although I am a pretty analytical person, I usually let my heart control my head.

A person who is a thinker will make their decisions based on what their brain is telling them. They tend to be more decisive people because they just leave their feelings out of the decision-making process.

This F/T component is perhaps the most divisive. The people who are strong Thinkers tend to look at the Feelers as being weak and overly compassionate. The Feelers tend to look at the Feelers as being cold and callous.

In all actuality, a person should have both sides of his/her personality come up fairly equally on this test. It isn't good for someone to be a high percentage of any of the personality types. This is why I am happy to say that my last letter is either a "P" or a "J". I tend to use both parts of my personality almost equally.

A "J" is a judger. A judger prefers structure, order, and they like schedules. They are the list-makers and planners of the world. They tend to use their PDAs to keep track of their hectic schedule, and they can be quite obsessive about maintaining order in their busy lives.

A "P" is a perceiver. A perceiver is someone who is spontaneous. They don't believe in doing a lot of planning, and they tend to take things as they come. They look at the judgers as being overly rigid. While the judgers look at them as being unorganized and haphazard.

Thankfully I possess elements of both. I am not really a listmaker, but I always know where I need to be and when. I'm rarely late. In fact, I'm usually early.

But with that being said, I tend to go with the flow a lot. I always know what I want to accomplish in my lessons everyday at school, but my lessons are always changing. So by the time a lesson makes it to the end of the day, it may look very different than when it did during 1st hour.

Sometimes this trait can cause some problems with coworkers. I had a department chairperson many years ago who would criticize my lesson plans. She wanted me to basically script out everything that I was going to say.

For example, if I was doing a lesson on profit, she wanted me to have on my plan that "profit was revenue-expenses." She was a judger. I told her that I already knew the definition for profit, and that I really didn't need to write it into my lesson plans. She had a hard time understanding that I could still know everything I needed to know for my lesson, without writing it down.

There are a lot of places online that will allow you to take this test. Just do a google search for Myers-Briggs or Keirsey Temperament Sorter. I personally believe that this test will help you get a handle on people in your life. You'll be able to understand what makes them tick and why they do the things they do.

Wiis and disabilities

Over the past several weeks I have heard more and more from people about the Wii. Even though the system has been out for a couple of years, it seems like I am just now hearing about the kind of workout that it can provide for people. Or maybe, I'm just more receptive to it, and that's why I'm noticing all of these comments.

So, I'm going to be buying a Wii in the next couple of weeks. I've seen footage on youtube of people playing games like Wii boxing, and it looks like a pretty good upper-body workout. This is exactly what I need.

I love video games, and I need something to help get my heart rate up. This system will do just that. So, I'm really excited about getting it.

In fact, I've done some research online, and I've discovered that many rehab facilities and nursing homes have been using it for their patients/residents with limited mobility. I also found some great links about how it is a great source of exercise for people in wheelchairs--like me.

So, I'm excited, and I feel like I have discovered a great fitness tool for myself.

Happy and Proud

I have used this blog as a forum to vent about the things in my life that I did not like. Even though it can be easy to find multiple things to vent about, I am a pretty positive person. Today, I saw something that made me incredibly happy, and it's a feeling that I'll be able to call upon for quite some time.

I was sick today, so I didn't go into school. However, I remembered a promise that I had made to a friend about something that I was going to do for her today. Unfortunately that promise could only be fulfilled at school, because I needed to scan something for her on my computer.

So I decided to go to school at the end of the day to use my scanner. I was a little apprehensive at first, because I was going to be showing up at the end of the school day, and I would be seeing my 7th hour as they truly were--with a sub. They had no idea I was coming, so I was truly going to catch them in the act--so to speak.

I approached my classroom door, expecting to hear noise. My 7th hour is a very good hour, but I thought that they might take advantage of the fact that I was gone by talking a lot, etc. But, I didn't hear a peep.

I rolled into the classroom, and I saw 100% of the class looking at their computer screens--completely focused on the project that they were working on. In fact, so many of them were focused on what they were doing that they didn't even know that I had entered the room. Once they did though, I had several kids immediately asking me how I was feeling.

I don't like to brag about myself, and I don't always like to be the center of attention, but this was one of the best things that I have experienced professionally in a long time. This class was so quiet, hardworking, and respectful, and it helped me to realize that I was exactly where I should be right now in my teaching career.

After the kiddos left, the sub and I started talking. He asked if I really laid down the law with my classes. I told him that I was more laid-back and not really a yeller or screamer. He told me that my classes were the best that he has ever subbed for. My sub wasn't terribly old, so I'm sure that he didn't have much subbing experience. But this was still a huge compliment to me.

So again, I'm not writing this to say how awesome I am as a teacher. I'm not a braggart. But, I am so proud of my classes, and I love what I do. Life is good.

The Power of Contentment

I realize that a posting is LONG overdue for me. I have been going through my day-to-day life, and I have just gotten into a routine. Unfortunately that routine has not involved blogging, and I'm going to change that. I have a lot of things that I need to talk about, so this will be a busy week for me.

Tonight I have the concept of "contentment" on my mind. I truly believe that being content is the most powerful thing a person can do. Back when I was doing Eharmony, I would occasionally get the following question from potential dates, "Which would you rather have more of, money or respect?" I would always answer it my own way. I would say, "Contentment, because if I have that I won't need anything else."

Too many people focus on what they don't have. They are constantly obsessing about the small number of things that are wrong in their own lives and totally ignoring all of the good things. And when we truly examine our lives and are cognizant of the good things, we will see that the good will greatly outweigh the bad.

I can't walk, as I've mentioned before. I use a wheelchair, and I will ALWAYS be disabled. That's just a fact that I dealt with that YEARS ago. In fact, I can't remember a time when I ever truly wished that I wasn't disabled. I am 100% content with my disability.

But that doesn't mean that I don't get a little frustrated from time-to-time. I get tired of kidney infections, snow & ice, taking longer to do certain things, etc. But these are fleeting thoughts, and I don't let these thoughts change my day-to-day outlook on life.

Too many people in this world are so negative, and they can't find contentment...even though joy is all around them. These are the kinds of people that hate going to work, but they come home to a loving spouse and family. Unfortunately they can't leave that negative emotion at work, and it seeps into their perfect little family. They need to be happy with the "here and now" and live a happier fuller life.

I know that is easier said than done, and I know that this attitude can make it seem like I am against improving oneself. I am definitely not. I am of the strong belief that if a person is not happy with one aspect of their life, they should work to change it. HOWEVER, they should not dwell on what is lacking in their lives. Our thoughts should always be positive.

People that can't find contentment will NEVER be truly happy. They aren't able to accept compliments, because they don't feel like they deserve it. For example, if you tell a person that is not content that they look great, their response will be that they are still 10 pounds overweight.

If you tell a discontented person that they did a great job at work, they will tell you about some insignificant thing that they did wrong. The favorite word of a discontent is "But". When you tell them anything positive, they will respond with this negative word, because that is all they see. They don't see the great things that are happening in their lives. They only see the negatives.

I am a very positive person. I have been through trials and tribulations that would test many people. Through it all, I've tried to stay content, and I believe that I have been successful.
I'm happy to say that I've never had issues with depression or felt the need to see a therapist. Now that is not discounting anyone that does see a therapist. These doctors serve a valuable purpose--I just haven't needed one.

Sure there are parts of my life that I wish were different. I long for a relationship right now, and I get tired of being alone. I am an extremely loving, kind, funny, and sweet person.

At first I took that sentence out, because I thought that it felt like bragging. But, I do believe these things about myself, and I feel like I DESERVE love in my life.

But, this longing doesn't infect the rest of my life. I believe that God has a plan for my life. He's been instilling more confidence in me, because He knows that my future mate won't show up knocking at my door and say, "Here I am Kevin." He knows that I will have to do the things necessary to bring such a woman into my life.

So when I go to bed tonight, I won't be thinking about those things in my life that are lacking. I won't be thinking about the uncomfortable compression hosiery that my doctor wants me to wear now.

Instead, I'll be thinking about how this uncomfortable compression hosiery will keep me from getting some VERY painful leg infections that I have gotten in the past. Life is about perspective, and my perspective is based on being content.