November 19
Jo said she sensed that the love of her life would be proposing to her soon. I teased her about the size of the shiny rock that would be worn on her beautiful long slender finger. My guess was one carat. Not too long ago, another friend shared that her beloved proposed and she had accepted, whilst another expressed his intention to ask his sweet girlfriend for her hand in marriage. Earlier today, I received a text message - an invitation to a wedding next month. My cousin, Anthony's wedding is scheduled for early December too.
Jo said she sensed that the love of her life would be proposing to her soon. I teased her about the size of the shiny rock that would be worn on her beautiful long slender finger. My guess was one carat. Not too long ago, another friend shared that her beloved proposed and she had accepted, whilst another expressed his intention to ask his sweet girlfriend for her hand in marriage. Earlier today, I received a text message - an invitation to a wedding next month. My cousin, Anthony's wedding is scheduled for early December too.
Love is certainly in the air and that gives beautiful thoughts, and reminds me of my own share of matrimonial joy. Looking at these excited couples, it brings thoughts to how wonderfully God brings together two beautiful people in a special relationship, in which they discover lifetime love. Interestingly, one often falls in love with another of opposite personalities, subconsciously selecting someone whosed strengths make up for one's weaknesses.This natural process, intended since the time of Adam and Eve, fits two souls together to become one.
Extroverts are attracted to introverts, optimists pick pessimists, fun-loving outgoing souls go for the quiet deep-thinking ones. These patterned after models of human behaviours, giving birth to the concept of Four Basic Temperaments (with 16 variants) - Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholic and Phlegmatic - which helps in examining one self, and accepting others. In Gary Smalley's version, these four Greek-termed personalities are represented by four animals - The Otter, The Lion, The Beaver and The Golden Retriever. Biblically, they are Peter, Paul, Moses and Abraham.
My first exposure to the four basic temperaments was from the book, Spirit-Controlled Temperaments by Tim LaHaye, and subsequently, The Act of Marriage by same author and his wife, Beverly LaHaye. That was over 10 years ago. The two were written in the Christian context. My other book, Personality Plus was by Florence and Marita Littauer, which a friend borrowed and was never returned. Perhaps she found it a good read, and tool.
Expressive, a Sanguine likes fun and people, loves to talk, needs attention, good at socialising and entertaining, easily excited, enthusiastic, charming yet unorganised, undisciplined, with little or no follow-through, fickle and forgetful, needs to be in the centre of attention, and never grow up.
A born leader, the Choleric is a dominant character, assertive, impulsive, loves to work, likes actions and progress, likes to motivate others but possesses minimal tolerance for incompetencies, dominates and manipulates people, hardly apologises even though is in the wrong, dislikes losing control and easily bored by trivia.
A Phlegmatic is solid but laid-back, loves peace and harmony, tries to please everyone and a born follower. This personality procrastinates and avoids responsibilities as a result of trying to please everyone, has little self-motivation, dislikes conflicts and is selfish.
Sensitive, quiet and analytical, a Melancholic likes solitude and silence, has high standards for everyone, analyses and plans thoroughly before executing any projects. This pessimistic and moody personality gets depressed over imperfection, introverted with little need for sociability, and holds back affection.
Discovering personality type can be an exciting and enlightening experience, and enables each person to develop a better understanding and acceptance of the different personalisties and characters. especially in the case of love relationships and marriage, making communication and relationships become more meaningful, fulfilling and complete. Two individuals indeed become one, as they understand and complement each other; filling each other's empty spaces. Enjoy discovering your own and of others! :)
God could have made us all Sanguines.
We could have lots of fun but accomplish little. He could have made us all Melancholies.
We would have been organized and charted but not very cheerful.
He could have made us all Cholerics.
We would have been set to lead, but impatient that no one would follow!
He could have made us all Phlegmatics.
We would have had a peaceful world but not much enthusiasm for life.
We need each temperament for the total function of the body.
Each part should do its work to unify the action and produce harmonious
results.
results.
-Florence Littauer in The Gift of Encouraging Words
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