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Enneagram Type 4 Board Archive And now for a look at the other side of the coin....Posted by Amanda :) on July 10, 1999 at 21:57:16: In Reply to: Re: Reality check bounced! posted by Ev on July 10, 1999 at 21:02:54: OK you two....are we having fun in 'introvert heaven' yet? :) I thought a word from an extrovert might not go astray at this point.... Let me start by saying that I think you are right Ev - both extroverted and introverted ways of being are legitimate....as long as there is some balance in the equation....but then, you didn't need me to tell you that did you? It's true that being 'out there' is what society says we should do....but I think it can be a great excuse for avoiding anything unpleasant....this is reflected in society's attitude towards taking responsibility for - well - for just about anything in my opinion. As a 'screaming extrovert' (as Derf likes to call me :) - I have found great value in taking some time out from the 'maddening crowd' from time to time - although I do find it quite taxing after a while - and need to go and seek out some company to re-charge the batteries....or to clarify my thoughts. A friend of mine is the classic introvert and is like my mirror image. The point is, a little respect and understanding of each other can go a long way. Variety is, after all, the spice of life! Funny thing is - the older I get, the more comfortable I am with my own company. In Myers-Briggs, they talk about one's inferior functions becoming more developed as one matures. Introverts become more comfortable interacting with others as time goes by and confidence builds - and extroverts are more able to spend time alone without going completely bonkers. Now, if only my 'S' would kick into gear.... Families (of origin) often think they 'know' us - but often forget that we have grown and changed with the years. Sure, they know where we came from - but that's no guarantee that they know us now (unless, of course, they've been around the whole time....but even then....). It's even worse if we were never really understood in the first place - which is the common complaint of the 4! Ain't life grand? smiles
: : Now here's something interesting to kick around. How much damage do you reckon is done to the psyche of a child by the parents telling them they're not *normal*? I know that my parents were always trying to get me to go out and play with the other kids more than I desired. It's not as if I were a hermit or anything so outrageous as that. I just wanted a little "me" time.***See interesting note at bottom. : In our western society we place the utmost emphasis on whatever traits we deem to "lead to success". This is not so in most of the eastern cultures where a search for one's place in the world is looked upon as a reasonable and prudent undertaking. If only I could speak Chinese!! :) : Ev : ***There is a movie titled "Rustler's Rhapsody" which stars Tom Berrenger and is a spoof of westerns. It has all the stereotypical types we've all seen a thousand times in just about every western that's ever been made. This is one funny movie though. Berrenger plays the "good guy" and of course has to go around righting wrongs, saving ladies in distress, and making peace between the ranchers and the sheep farmers. This all makes for a busy day's work so understandably he's ready to kick back and chill awhile come sundown. The problem is that his sidekick always wants to be with him and the women are always wanting to be with him as well. One of the lines he delivers that really blew me away because it is so like me comes as he's trying to run everybody off so he can be alone. He tells them he needs some "me time". If that's not the epitome of an introverted 4 I'll eat my hat! I highly recommend it, I'm smiling just thinking about all the silliness! :)
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