Recently, the Myers-Briggs Foundation asked me to contribute an article on how the MBTI has helped me in my life. I just finished it this morning, and I feel a bit like my soul has been exposed.

I am the same preference type as Albert Einstein, Carl Jung and Tiger Woods, all of whom test INTP.

I Googled my personality preference recently, and was taken aback when I saw all the research that had been done on my type. INTPs make up about one percent of the population, so I kind of feel as if I have been living in a petri dish. But hey, it’s all in the name of science, right? So, without further adieu, here is a brief rundown on my personality preference taken from where else? A website dedicated to the INTP:

The INTP is above all a thinker and his inner (private) world is a place governed by a strong sense of logical structure. INTPs like to observe from a detached position. INTPs detest facades and particularly dislike people who exhibit them. Equally, those kind of people also dislike INTPs and avoid them at all cost, for they know that the INTP will see right through them.

INTP’s also are almost immune to mockery, at least when face to face with their mocker. If someone attempts to make a sarcastic, mocking comment about an interest of an INTP, the latter will defend himself with a subtle but biting attack thrown back in the mocker’s face.

INTPs also can be pretty zany and warped. Hence, the humor can become black and tactless, having felt little Feeling input. Funnily enough, INTPs are dreadful tellers of jokes (which seems to be more the domain of those with Se), perhaps because they pay too little attention to detail when speaking spontaneously. INTPs may however make good comedy writers. If you see someone smirking and laughing at some private thought, without any obvious reason, he’s probably an INTP.

Do you want know your preference and all the research that has been done on it? Here’s an online version that’s based on the MBTI:

Thanks to my good California transplant friend, Tommy for his recent post. Being from Florida, I know the difference between the dolphin (fish) and a porpoise. However, many people don’t. Who wants to eat Flipper? Hence the name Mahi-Mahi. But dolphin is good to eat! This article discusses 10 popular fish that are good to eat (and 10 to avoid). Interesting.

Snip:
>>>…one of the best things you can do for the environment is to shop local. The list below is based on average U.S. national consumption. If you really want to make a difference download this list of sustainable fish for your area.

In researching my book, I just discovered the Osho Zen Tarot. They call it the Transcendental Game of Zen. I saw this card and laughed. It’s called the Laziness card and it’s description is below. Man, can you imagine being in this guy’s shoes?

From Osho:

Laziness
This gentleman clearly thinks he’s got it made. He sits in his big over-stuffed chair, wearing his sunglasses, shaded by his umbrella, with his pink slippers and his piña colada in his hand. He doesn’t have the energy to get up and do anything because he thinks he’s done it already. He hasn’t yet turned to see the mirror cracking around him on his right, a sure sign that the place he thinks he’s finally arrived at is about to shatter and dissolve before his very eyes. The message this card brings is that this poolside resort is not your final destination. The journey isn’t over yet, as that white bird flying into the vastness of the sky is trying to show. Your complacency might have arisen from a real sense of achievement, but now it’s time to move on. No matter how fuzzy the slippers, how tasty the piña colada, there are skies upon skies still waiting to be explored.

This time, my cousin, Emily is interviewed about her dog, Horton! If you’re in Colorado, keep an eye out for him on the trail!

Can you feel it? It’s the energy of new beginnings brought on by today’s solar eclipse. I’m no expert, or an astronomer, but I feel it. It’s been a bit intense as of late, but I know things will soon calm down. Here’s some insight from a great article posted on From What’s Up On Planet Earth:

The solar eclipse and new moon will mark an important turning point. The energies which have been in the fore-front of late, or the lower vibrating and denser energies, will now have a “cease” to their power or in other words to their ability to be able to run loose with attempts at bringing down the light through their old ways, at best.

With the new moon and the sun now starting anew after this blockage, it will mean a new beginning for most of us. And this new beginning will be fresh and clear, just like a new start without all the resistance energy of late.

Before new and supporting energies arrive, we usually feel a “pull out” of supports or of light. When this phase occurs, the darker or denser energies really run rampant. It is as if the teacher has left the classroom and the class is really taking advantage. Well, the “teacher” has now returned and things will now begin to change. The higher ways and the light will now be able to take charge and make their presence known and respected.

As always, we needed to give enough time for things to adjust, come into place, and into alignment. These waiting or aligning periods can be challenging at times. If you are one who has felt that you were being ignored, disrespected, taken advantage of, road-blocked, boxed in with seemingly nowhere to go, having things taken over by a lower vibrating element that seemed to know far less than you, then get ready for a change.

The advent of the new moon and solar eclipse will change all of this…

I’ve been thinking a lot about positive energy, and the impact of healthy relationships. I just had lunch with a friend from high school and left feeling grounded and centered. I found this article about the healing effects of social situations and thought it was interesting:

…stressed-out hamsters with skin wounds who were paired with other hamsters healed faster than those left alone to heal. The hamsters with friends also produced less of the stress hormone cortisol, which has negative effects on mood and immunity. You may not be a hamster, but the effects are transferable to human friends. If you’re depressed, recuperating from an illness, or stressed you’ll heal and deal faster with friends.

Researchers haven’t figured out exactly how, but friends boost your immune system. Good friends help you relax, take a deep breath, and remember what really matters – and why. The connection and relationship you feel when you’re with your friends boosts your feelings of hope, faith, and belief that things will be OK. Friends provide comfort and companionship, laughter and honesty.

Without social ties or friends to keep you going, you’re more likely to experience negative emotions, more illnesses, and even earlier death than normal. A strong support network will keep you alive and well….

On the flip side of that, I’ve been thinking about those who drain us of our energy and how to avoid them.

Energy vampires come in all demeanors: loud and aggressive, soft-spoken and shy, charming and seductive, pushy and overbearing. However, they are all manipulative and are looking to absorb your positivity. Energy vampires have often suffered some sort of crisis, and they’re compensating to get rid of their negative energy by pulling positive energy from you. Many times they don’t even realize they’re bleeding you dry. So, it’s up to you to stop them from tapping into a vein. Here are some tips:

1. Limit the amount of time you spend with energy vampires. The less time you’re together, the less positive energy you’ll lose.
2. Learn effective ways to end conversations with energy vampires (eg, I only have ten minutes to talk.”)
3. Stay calm and detached from energy vampires. Don’t let their negative energy consume you.
4. Be honest about your needs (eg, “I need this time to work/read/relax/exercise.”)
5. Refrain from attempting to rescue them or fix an energy vampire’s problems.
6. Practice walking away from energy vampires.; the more you do it, the easier it gets.
7. Limit eye contact with energy vampires.
8. Avoid being in close spaces with energy vampires (elevators, cars, etc). Negative energy is catching.
9. Define and guard your personal space from energy vampires.
10. Tell energy vampires you feel uncomfortable discussing particular people or circumstances.
11. Stand up for yourself and your boundaries! Your time, positive energy, and resources are precious and should be closely guarded.

How many times have you’ve been asked that question?

I’ve been asked it many times, and I’ve responded in kind. It’s flattering when someone looks to you as a resource. Especially when you’re doing something as time and energy consuming as publishing your first novel. But I have to say right now, I’m all tapped out. So brain-pickers beware, I’m out of commission until this book is sold. After that, I’ll be happy to tell you how I did it.

No photos, no links on this post, just a question:

What do you put your energy into?

Is it towards a goal or a dream, or even to make the world a better place?

Or, are you so weighed-down by negativity, that you’ve forgotten your dreams?

Going to a job you hate, being around people who drain you, attending situations you’ve outgrown, all whittle away at your spirit.

The more you can rid yourself of negativity and old patterns that no longer serve you, the happier you become, which allows you more energy to pursue your goals.

If you’re up for the challenge, examine your life, make the change, get rid of the baggage and keep moving forward. You’ll be surprised by how light and happy you feel.