I have already shared my results: Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Perceiving. One percent of the population shares the same combination. 75% of the population is extroverted (25% introverted), 75% of the population is Sensing (25% intuitive), thinking versus feeling and judging versus perceiving is split 50/50.
Last December, my counselor described a student who was an INFP in a class full of students with different personalities. She alluded to the loneliness that the student must have felt. I responded by expressing my desire to figure out which of my students are potential kindred INFPs. My counselor looked at me sternly but not angrily and said, "I was talking about you." I do struggle with loneliness. I think that adds to the difficulties of returning from Haiti. On top of everything I experienced, I went from being surrounded by over 15 wonderful people to living life by myself (with a supportive, loving community). I'm lonely in addition to all of my other struggles.
So, if you really knew me, then you'll realize the following description of INFP from Myers Briggs is eerily accurate.
People with INFP preferences have a great deal of warmth, but may not show it until they know a person well. They keep their warm side inside, like a fur-lined coat. They are very faithful to duties and obligations related to ideas or people they care about. They take a very personal approach to life, judging everything by their inner ideals and personal values.
They stick to their ideals with passionate conviction. Although their inner loyalties and ideals govern their lives, they find these hard to talk about. Their deepest feelings are seldom expressed; their inner tenderness is masked by a quiet reserve.
In everyday matters they are tolerant, open-minded, understanding, flexible, and adaptable. But if their inner loyalties are threatened, they will not given an inch. Except for their work's sake, INFPs have little wish to impress or dominate. The people they prize the most are those who take the time to understand their values and the goals they are working toward.
Their main interest lies in seeing the possibilities beyond what is present, obvious, or known. They are twice as good when working at a job they believe in, since their feeling puts added energy behind their efforts. They want their work to contribute to something that matters to them--human understanding, happiness, or health. They want to have a purpose beyond their paycheck, no matter how big the check. They are perfectionists whenever they care deeply about something.
INFPs are curious about new ideas and tend to have insight and long-range vision. Many are interested in books and language and are likely to have a gift of expression; with talent they may be excellent writers. They can be ingenious and persuasive on the subject of their enthusiasms, which are quiet but deep-rooted. They are often attracted to counseling, teaching, literature, art, science, or psychology. The problem for some INFPs is that they may feel such a contrast between their ideals and their actual accomplishments that they burden themselves with a sense of inadequacy. This can happen even when, objectively, they are being as effective as others. It is important for them to use their intuition to fid ways to express their ideals; otherwise they will keep dreaming of the impossible and accomplish very little. If they find no channel for expressing their ideals, INFPs may become overly sensitive and vulnerable, with dwindling confidence in life and in themselves.
Additionally, Myers Briggs lists 12 adjectives to describe my personality combination: compassionate, gentle, virtuous, adaptable, committed, curious, creative, loyal, devoted, deep, reticent, empathetic. Famous people who were also Intuitive and Feeling include Joan of Arc, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and William Shakespeare. It's no wonder I have always admired Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. It's no wonder I want to change the world. Knowing my personality type helps bring awareness to how I am susceptible to sin and where I need God. My problem is, I have this stupid inner standard of being self-sufficient despite knowing I cannot accomplish such a goal. Hence why I share my brokenness--I need to remind myself that I'm a broken mess. I need to remind myself that I need a Savior. I still try to save myself, and I always feel worse after.
After my dad read the list of 12 adjectives this past year, he described my personality type as "religious." While I do not approve of that word, I do rely on my personal relationship with Jesus. Growing up Catholic, I was told one could only talk to God through a priest. As a child (who not only trusted authority but is also really gullible--I would say "was" gullible, but the people on the FUMC team recently witnessed by gullibility), I never believed that message. I knew I could communicate with God without a priest. At the time, I did not know it was because of Jesus' sacrifice. Recently, I have noticed that I am much more cheerful on mornings I start by reading a chapter in the Bible and writing about it. I just need to figure out how to work in an afternoon devotional, because I'm more likely to take my burden back from Jesus later in the day.
If you really knew me, then you'd know it would be a struggle to express all of this out loud.
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