So, once again, I took one of those fairly abbreviated Myers-Briggs type tests to see what it says I am. Even on the shorter tests, I am always surprised how accurate these things are in "pegging" my personality. The descriptions that you read later are very telling. One note on me and these tests: I tend to hit midline on a lot of the questions. There have been times when I've taken these things and I'm dead in the middle on 3 categories and off to one side on another. You see there on my little chart on the "Sensing" I'm farther to the right - that's the usual result. The other 3 are closer to middle. But, more often than not that INFP ends up being me to a fairly accurate T. As I remember, I've even scored ENTJ and INTJ a couple of times. The "N" is always the same though. So, just in case you were wondering what you were dealing with, here are a few of the expert type descriptions of my "type" - then I'll let you know some of the famous folk I'm like - luvly.
INFP - The "Dreamer" INFPs are introspective, private, creative and highly idealistic individuals that have a constant desire to be on a meaningful path. They are driven by their values and seek peace. Empathetic and compassionate, they want to help others and humanity as a whole. INFPs are imaginitive, artistic and often have a talent for language and writing. They can also be described as easygoing, selfless, guarded, adaptable, patient and loyal.
"INFPs are highly intuitive about people. They rely heavily on their intuitions to guide them, and use their discoveries to constantly search for value in life. They are on a continuous mission to find the truth and meaning underlying things. Every encounter and every piece of knowledge gained gets sifted through the INFP's value system, and is evaluated to see if it has any potential to help the INFP define or refine their own path in life." - Portrait of an INFP (The Personality Page)
"creative, smart, idealist, loner, attracted to sad things, disorganized, avoidant, can be overwhelmed by unpleasant feelings..." - INFP Jung Type Descriptions (similarminds.com)
"An INFP's feelings form the foundations of the individual. They are sacred and binding, in the sense that their emergence requires no further justification. An INFP's feelings are often guarded, kept safe from attack and ridicule. Only a few, close confidants are permitted entrance into this domain." - INFP Profile (INFP Mailing List)
Famous People: A. A. Milne - author (Winnie the Pooh); Fred Rogers - Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, J. R. R. Tolkien - writer (Lord of the Rings); James Herriot - veterinary surgeon, writer; James Taylor - singer-songwriter, guitarist; John - Disciple of Jesus; John F. Kennedy, Jr. - lawyer, journalist, publisher; Luke - physician, author; Mary - Mother of Jesus.
Very interesting. I'm not sure about that "patient" part - eeek - but there's a lot of me in all that. And not a bad company of "kin folk" there. Hey, two Apostles and the Mother of God, how 'bout that? How they know these things is another story. Oh well. Yeah, and I like that "attracted to sad things" business and "can be overwhelmed by unpleasant feelings" - (clears throat) - DUUUHHH. Apparently only 1.5% of men can handle being this way. I think I wish I didn't have to sometimes, but what are you 'gonna do, flip a switch? I think we have to keep trying to embrace the gift of who we are while always knowing that "who we are" needs to continue to be transformed into who we were created to be. Pax vobiscum.
"Then, if we cannot as yet think alike in all things, at least we may love alike. Herein we cannot possibly do amiss." John Wesley
"Keep your eyes on the crucifix, for Jesus without the cross
is a man without a mission, and the cross without Jesus
is a burden without a reliever." Fulton J. Sheen
"...I am deeply convinced that the Christian leader of the future is called to be
completely irrelevant and to stand in this world with nothing to offer but his or her own vulnerable self." Henri Nouwen