The truth about personality tests. (Or, how they make me feel.)
Myers & Briggs tell me I'm an "ISTJ."
The Enneagram says I'm a "Type One."
And sometimes, all I hear them call me is "Peaceful, hardworking, machine." Like a little bot people love for its dependability.
While some people enjoy using their personality types to explain their silly behavior and forgetfulness, I find myself wanting to apologize for mine. Sorry that I like rules and order?
I remember one day as a little girl, sitting in the back right seat of the car with my mom and sisters. It was our white jeep, old as I am. My mom (love her) was explaining to my middle sister that we have all moods which swing to change like a pendulum. She told the middle one that her pendulum swings back and forth, high and high, vigorously. It was a gentle way of addressing tantrums. She went on to say my pendulum swings very subtly. I know my mom loves this about me, and she meant it was a good thing, but it made me sad. I can still see her finger ticking back and forth to illustrate. Even as a child I felt defensive about my personality.
This is just an observation for lately.
And maybe a promise to work on it.
The good thing is that the people close to me are very good at telling me they love me. And I believe them. And truly, I like being me. There's not much trouble here to report on. Just something worthy of investigating and prayer.
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