Got Magic? The Idealist Introvert Does!

Written by Nancy R. Fenn


COUNSELOR infjs are people like ... Chaucer, Goethe, Carl Jung, Mohandas Gandhi and Eleanor Roosevelt

HEALER infps are people like ... Homer, Virgin Mary, Shakespeare, Hans Christian Andersen and Princess Diana

The MBTI Personality Temperament theory and other temperament theories such as Keirsey, my favorite, divide introverts into four broad basic categories called Guardian, Artisan, Rational and Idealist. Introverts are people who are energized while alone and zapped of energy while being with others. Introversion is a legitimate personality type. Idealist introverts because they are so magical.

Idealist introverts are abstract in thought and speech. They are aspirational, positive and oriented towardrepparttar 130202 future. They long to unite people in peace and love. There are two different types,repparttar 130203 Counselor (infj) andrepparttar 130204 Healer (infp).

Idealist introverts make up just 2% ofrepparttar 130205 population.

Both types focus intensely on human potential - that of a few people around them -- and are amongrepparttar 130206 most "introverted" of all types, having exceptionally rich inner lives and little or no desire to be in positions of leadership. It is interesting to note, for example, that an idealist type has never been president ofrepparttar 130207 United States.

Both types of introverted idealists are rare, making up only 1% ofrepparttar 130208 population in each case. [No type makes up more than 13% ofrepparttar 130209 population.] The other group that is this small isrepparttar 130210 Rational introverts (Masterminds and Architects) who also make up just 1% ofrepparttar 130211 population each.

Temperament theory statistics may reveal a nonphysical Darwinian evolution ofrepparttar 130212 "more fit" in these statistics: Guardians and Artisans make up 38% ofrepparttar 130213 population each while Rationals and Idealists make up 12% each.

We creatures onrepparttar 130214 Darwinian edge-- Rationals and Idealists -- have both an advantage and a disadvantage. In a certain sense we are adapted torepparttar 130215 ways ofrepparttar 130216 future, which is evolving, but onrepparttar 130217 other hand,repparttar 130218 future is not yet here. And therein liesrepparttar 130219 rub. Suffice it to say, though we may be better adapted torepparttar 130220 realities ofrepparttar 130221 future, we are maladapted torepparttar 130222 world defined by "s" types,repparttar 130223 present world. I mean to say "maladapted" descriptively, not critically.

Now let's look atrepparttar 130224 word "idealist" for a minute. This word has several different meanings and connotations, many, it seems, concocted by They Who are Not Idealists and "They" are most certainly inrepparttar 130225 majority.

This is what dictionary.com says:

•One whose conduct is influenced by ideals that often conflict with practical considerations.

•One who is unrealistic and impractical; a visionary.

•An artist or writer whose work is imbued with idealism.

•One who idealizes; one who forms picturesque fancies; one given to romantic expectations.

•someone guided more by ideals than by practical considerations

Hmmm "unrealistic", "impractical", "picturesque fancies", "romantic expectations" … this doesn't sound very flattering. Further downrepparttar 130226 list, a synonym suggested for idealist is "dreamer".

Four of these definitions are, in fact, a real put down. Am I imagining a slight sneer onrepparttar 130227 lips ofrepparttar 130228 lexicographer? Probably written by a Rational (someone who would be interested in compiling a dictionary), we are defined negatively by what we are not - we are not practical and we are not realistic.

To put this in perspective, why don't we write a dictionary and define realists as people who are "nonidealistic", "lacking in imagination", "bereft of meaning and romance in life", "stuck inrepparttar 130229 here and now" ??

Well, no, we're not practical. So you won't catch us writing any dictionaries. What we are is magical.

Let's look further now, among ourselves - or perhaps some of you are reading this because your child or loved one has been "diagnosed" as an infj or infp. Let's try to understandrepparttar 130230 real magic ofrepparttar 130231 idealist introvert personality type. Take another look atrepparttar 130232 list atrepparttar 130233 top ofrepparttar 130234 page. Think ofrepparttar 130235 contributions of Homer, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Goethe and Gandhi. Can you think of five people across time who had a more profound understanding of human nature?

Idealism is related torepparttar 130236 Platonic ideals of ancient Greece-- as described byrepparttar 130237 philosopher Plato -- which are somewhat like archetypes in a way. One mathematician in a chat group recently said, "Plato thought what we see inrepparttar 130238 physical world is a dim reflection ofrepparttar 130239 true ideal thing. For example circular objects are crude approximations torepparttar 130240 ideal perfect circle."

Clearly this man is not an idealist personality type. As any intuitive idealist will tell you, there is nothing "dim" about manifest reality reflecting Platonic ideals. Our ideals, our beliefs and their beyond-sensory forms are vivid and infused with life.

Idealists warm to -- nay, set fire to, torch! -- their ideals because they respond to them as potentials waiting to be filled. In our minds, we can draw a straight line fromrepparttar 130241 thing we see in our Mind's Eye torepparttar 130242 reality it can become inrepparttar 130243 future. We specialize in doing this with people. Time and space are not issues.

Kenneth Silber, in an article entitled "Searching for Bobby Fischer's Platonic Form", published online at TechCentralStation explains, "This has potential religious implications; in a recent TCS essay, Edward Feser identified Platonism, or belief in a realm of abstract entities, as a key assumption underlying Western religion."

An interest inrepparttar 130244 higher realms is, indeed, a characteristic ofrepparttar 130245 idealists and a critical key to understanding their approach to "reality". The InfjInfp YahooGroup buzzes with talk about negative matter, extra dimensions, exotic energy sources, possible uses for becs, quantum computers, loopholes in relativity, space elevators, great unsolved math problems, consciousness, REIKI, Tarot cards and so much more!

Recently a new member Stela wrote, "I have never tried Reiki, but it is interesting to read about it. I am interested in healing and debate with myself about what type of healing I would like to do. Currently I am thinking about training as a nutritionist and using nutrition and herbs for healing. I also think that using prayer to diagnose and heal is interesting. Actually many kinds of alternative healing intrigue me. Has anyone ever thought of becoming a naturopath or naturopathic doctor?"

Another member Linda wrote, typically, and I don't "correct" email quotes because I think email is all about relaxed and casual, "I am into poetry (both reading and writing), music, reading, laughing whenever I can (Strangers w Candy, Mad TV, SCTV etc), and learning new things. I preferrepparttar 130246 mystical poets like Rumi, Gibran, Hafiz along w some contemporary poets, McKuen, Bob Dylan. My musical tastes diverse and eclectic -no specific genre. My list of favorites is about 2 paragraphs long! I like to discuss current issues and mystical, philosophical issues too. I'm a Discovery Planet Specials junkie and realize that what we experience here is merely a blip in time." She signs her email, "In Light".

’EQ’ Your Request and Increase Your Chances of Getting It

Written by Susan Dunn, MA, Emotional Intelligence Coach


Areceli has a difficult time with relationships both in her personal life and at work. When I listen to her ask someone for something, I understand why. Her requests are almost always legitimate, but her presentation defeats her.

Areceli expects to get a “no,” even withrepparttar smallest request, so she starts off with a plaintive and whiny tone of voice. She acts like it’s hopeless and she’s helpless.

She begins with, “I know you aren’t going to do this for me,” and a sigh. When someone does say “no” to her, she gets angry. She either says something flippant, like, “Like you would’ve helped me,” or raises her voice and says, “You never give me what I want.”

No, she’s not three years old, she’s an adult who has very low Emotional intelligence. No one ever taught herrepparttar 130200 competencies she needs to understand her own emotions or those and others, and bring about win-win outcomes.

Use these Emotional Intelligence competencies to maximize your chances of getting what you want:

1.Empathy.

You may be urgent in your request, but understandrepparttar 130201 other person’s position. Most of us want to please those around us, when possible; that is, we have good will. When someone asks us for something, we go through a bit of an emotional loop – Will they demand and be impossible? Can I give this without harming myself? Will this become never-ending? If I say “no” to this person who is important to me, will it create a problem?

Understand that a request may stressrepparttar 130202 person you’re asking and make your request calm and pleasant, and your reaction to their response, pleasant and gracious.

2. Personal Power.

Personal power means you know you’re capable of handling your life. When you approach from this standpoint, you won’t come on begging or demanding. No one wants to have a demand placed on them. It immediately raises resistance. However, no one minds a request.

Has someone ever said to you, “I want this-and-such or I’m leaving,” or “If you don’t call me tonight this relationship is over”? EQ dictates -- Don’t demand, request. Ask. This gives other people permission to satisfy themselves while taking care of you.

3. Integrated Self: Staying centered.

Only when we’re three years old do we think we’re going to die if we don’t get what we want … or as teenagers … or as adults, if we aren’t thinking straight. EQ means being able to think clearly and act appropriately while underrepparttar 130203 press of strong emotions (your own and others’). Yes, it’s important to have that raise/hot fudge sundae/kiss/help withrepparttar 130204 dishes, but life will still go on without them.

The less ‘desperate’ you are,repparttar 130205 more likely you’ll get what you want. Just a rule of life. Before you make this request, do what we call “the EQ-Checkin.” Ask yourself “How am I feeling physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.” This will get you in touch with all parts of yourself, and prepare you to make reasonable requests in a reasonable manner.

4. Trust Radius.

The past ended one minute ago. Don’t let it make you cynical, bitter and untrustful of others. If you approach your life that way, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you are suspicious, other people pick up on it. They then think there’s a reason to be suspicious themselves … emotions are CONTAGIOUS.

Approach other people ASSUMING they are going to give you what you want. Unless it’s a preposterous request, or you state it in such a way it becomes one, you’re likely to get it. Consider for a moment how you would ask for something if you “knew” you would get it. You would be matter-of-fact, courteous, gently forthright, and brief.

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