Today life is about honesty. Think how much easier (well, maybe not "easier" perse) life would be if everyone was 100% honest 100% of the time with 100% of the people they knew.
My parents showed me the pilot episode for a show about a psychologist. This psychologist had an employee who was involved in this radical honesty movement - he said exactly what he was thinking when he was thinking it. He was kind of weird, but in an unexpected way, and I can only imagine how liberating it must be to not have to lie. Lucy Ricardo once took a bet to tell the absolute truth for 24 hours in an I Love Lucy episode. She also claimed to feel very liberated. In Star Trek, Spock often says that he cannot tell a lie, and Kirk convinces him that he can stretch the truth, acting as if lying was a wonderful quality of humans.
Psychology Today posted an article about people who tell the truth all the time.
So my question is, is telling the absolute truth all the time a good thing? I, admittedly a rather insensative individual, tend to think that it is. I don't particularly care about offending people. I mean, many people are offended just by the type of person I am. There are people out there who get offended by gays or by people who get offended by gays. No matter who you are, someone will be offended by who you are. So it makes sense that you shouldn't have to lie to try to protect other people. Here's my problem though: what about tactful truth-telling? Should it be okay? To a certain extent, I think it is, but I don't like it.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
And the Stars shall Guide us
I never really paid attention to horoscopes. It was all fiddle-faddle and poppycock as far as I was concerned. Astrology in general was. But I recently adopted cartomancy as the next thing to teach myself, and what I read about it explained how the 52-card deck forms a natural lunar calendar. Astrology was mentioned, so I looked it up and gave it a quick read over.
It's quite interesting. I am an Aquarius. I'd never read the full-on description of an Aquarius, but I was pleasantly surprised by what I found. If you combine the profile of an Aquarian with the profile of a typical INTJ, you get me. The Aquarius part of me perfectly explains all the little quirks that didn't fit in with being just an INTJ.
Apparently, Aquarians are eccentric, quirky, independent people who march to the beat of their own drum. Most of that does fit in with being an INTJ (because INTJs are the independent), but the Aquarius profile allows me room to be more humanitarian, spontaneous, and weirdly spiritual, all things that aren't typical traits of INTJs.
It's quite interesting. I am an Aquarius. I'd never read the full-on description of an Aquarius, but I was pleasantly surprised by what I found. If you combine the profile of an Aquarian with the profile of a typical INTJ, you get me. The Aquarius part of me perfectly explains all the little quirks that didn't fit in with being just an INTJ.
Apparently, Aquarians are eccentric, quirky, independent people who march to the beat of their own drum. Most of that does fit in with being an INTJ (because INTJs are the independent), but the Aquarius profile allows me room to be more humanitarian, spontaneous, and weirdly spiritual, all things that aren't typical traits of INTJs.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Self Creating Personas
I read a lot. I keep track of the books I've read on shelfari.
I've noticed something: I am influenced by the people I read and write about. In Tithe (Holly Black), the MC Kaye doesn't like anything that's too sweet/sugary. For a few days after I read that, I didn't put any sugar in my coffee. When I created a character who loved trance music and chaos, and I felt an insatiable urge to crank up the volume and spend an entire night dancing. The next character I dreamed up had a lip ring and long blue hair. Now I have plans to get my lip pierced and dye my fringe blue (in my defense, a lip ring is something I've been wanting for a while, and I can't actually dye my fringe because I have a job).
Of course, the big one is my soul character, the Seeker. We share so much that she's pretty much a reincarnation of me. She has my hair and eyes, I'm planning tattoos similar to hers, she dresses like me, and she's quiet and thoughtful - like me. Her past and current situation, of course, were dramatized for plot, but she shares many of my fears. She also has my affinity for black chokers, although in her case, she only wears one, and it's covered in the symbols of her dead friends.
These characters are partially born of me, so it makes sense that they would influence me, too. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy: I make a character with certain tendencies of mine, and other tendencies come out of that which reflect back to me.
I've noticed something: I am influenced by the people I read and write about. In Tithe (Holly Black), the MC Kaye doesn't like anything that's too sweet/sugary. For a few days after I read that, I didn't put any sugar in my coffee. When I created a character who loved trance music and chaos, and I felt an insatiable urge to crank up the volume and spend an entire night dancing. The next character I dreamed up had a lip ring and long blue hair. Now I have plans to get my lip pierced and dye my fringe blue (in my defense, a lip ring is something I've been wanting for a while, and I can't actually dye my fringe because I have a job).
Of course, the big one is my soul character, the Seeker. We share so much that she's pretty much a reincarnation of me. She has my hair and eyes, I'm planning tattoos similar to hers, she dresses like me, and she's quiet and thoughtful - like me. Her past and current situation, of course, were dramatized for plot, but she shares many of my fears. She also has my affinity for black chokers, although in her case, she only wears one, and it's covered in the symbols of her dead friends.
These characters are partially born of me, so it makes sense that they would influence me, too. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy: I make a character with certain tendencies of mine, and other tendencies come out of that which reflect back to me.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Question Everything
Today life is about questions.
Questions are how we find out about everything and the world around us. Remember in grade school, they told you there was no such thing as a stupid question? They were (mostly) right, but I think there are good and also better questions. I have the bad habit of asking simple yes-or-no questions, and I would really like to get into the habit of asking deeper questions. For example...um...I asked if we had more oatmeal at work yesterday, and all I got was "yes". I didn't know where the oatmeal was, or how much was left. I should have asked "where is the oatmeal?" Of course, I figured it out in the end, but still. That's just an example.
Questions that can't be answered with a simple yes or no are good because they make you, the asker, look more confident and intelligent and they invite more information. Open questions invite the other person to open themselves up more with a longer explanation and share more about what they know. If you don't know what to say or do in a situation, ask a question. You should never be afraid to ask a question. Questions are the basis of communication, which in turn is the basis of all relationships.
Ask questions of yourself as well. Ask questions about your life, what you want, who you are, why you do what you do, what your goals are, etc. I have a simple motto - question everything. Sometimes you can be surprised by what you find out.
Questions are how we find out about everything and the world around us. Remember in grade school, they told you there was no such thing as a stupid question? They were (mostly) right, but I think there are good and also better questions. I have the bad habit of asking simple yes-or-no questions, and I would really like to get into the habit of asking deeper questions. For example...um...I asked if we had more oatmeal at work yesterday, and all I got was "yes". I didn't know where the oatmeal was, or how much was left. I should have asked "where is the oatmeal?" Of course, I figured it out in the end, but still. That's just an example.
Questions that can't be answered with a simple yes or no are good because they make you, the asker, look more confident and intelligent and they invite more information. Open questions invite the other person to open themselves up more with a longer explanation and share more about what they know. If you don't know what to say or do in a situation, ask a question. You should never be afraid to ask a question. Questions are the basis of communication, which in turn is the basis of all relationships.
Ask questions of yourself as well. Ask questions about your life, what you want, who you are, why you do what you do, what your goals are, etc. I have a simple motto - question everything. Sometimes you can be surprised by what you find out.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
ISTPs (from an INTJ point of view)
I believe I covered the basics of the MBTI in an earlier post - a very early post. ISTP is a type in the MBTI system.
One ISTP I think (I hope) everyone knows of is Han Solo. That should tell you a lot about the type right there. Like all SPs, they're action-oriented. They don't deal with abstract concepts or overly excessive academic ideas (I gave a friend the ISTP description to read, and after a couple sentences she declared it too academic for her), but they're very in touch with the physical world. ISTPs don't automatically give an impression of action, but if you ever hand around one, you will be able to see how much energy they have, especially mental energy.
I think ISTPs are awesome. They're cool with everything and they never seem to be taken off guard. They ask a lot of questions. Awesome people ask questions. ISTPs don't care about convention or social norms; in fact, I'm pretty sure they're not even aware of their existence. That's what makes them awesome: they can't help but be original. They're very free spirits. They're flippant about tradition and don't seem to care too much for authority (not that they buck it or anything). They live life on the edge, often pursuing hobbies that are considered dangerous, and can be attracted to activities that are, shall we say, on the verge of illegality. They're thrill seekers, the original rogues of society.
ISTPs in fiction: Han Solo, Vala Mal Doran, Indiana Jones (probably), Logan-Wolverine.
One ISTP I think (I hope) everyone knows of is Han Solo. That should tell you a lot about the type right there. Like all SPs, they're action-oriented. They don't deal with abstract concepts or overly excessive academic ideas (I gave a friend the ISTP description to read, and after a couple sentences she declared it too academic for her), but they're very in touch with the physical world. ISTPs don't automatically give an impression of action, but if you ever hand around one, you will be able to see how much energy they have, especially mental energy.
I think ISTPs are awesome. They're cool with everything and they never seem to be taken off guard. They ask a lot of questions. Awesome people ask questions. ISTPs don't care about convention or social norms; in fact, I'm pretty sure they're not even aware of their existence. That's what makes them awesome: they can't help but be original. They're very free spirits. They're flippant about tradition and don't seem to care too much for authority (not that they buck it or anything). They live life on the edge, often pursuing hobbies that are considered dangerous, and can be attracted to activities that are, shall we say, on the verge of illegality. They're thrill seekers, the original rogues of society.
ISTPs in fiction: Han Solo, Vala Mal Doran, Indiana Jones (probably), Logan-Wolverine.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Feathers
Have you seen them? Everyone's wearing them (and by everyone, I mean those people who are in the minority that have tribalistic leanings). They're feather hair extensions! My newest trend obsession.
These are great for so many reasons. For starters, they add sublte color to your hair and since they're just a trend in the eyes of some people, you can wear them to your job. They perfectly toe the line between being alternative and acceptable. They're a spunky-punky, wild-child accessory and I love them. They come in stripes, plain, natural colors, rainbow colors, short, or long. I always imagine myself wearing them while dancing around a big bonfire in a feminist ritual or something when I have long hair. I'd post pictures, but blogger doesn't do well with pictures, so here are some links to pictures.
Link 1
Link 2
Link 3
Link 4
These are great for so many reasons. For starters, they add sublte color to your hair and since they're just a trend in the eyes of some people, you can wear them to your job. They perfectly toe the line between being alternative and acceptable. They're a spunky-punky, wild-child accessory and I love them. They come in stripes, plain, natural colors, rainbow colors, short, or long. I always imagine myself wearing them while dancing around a big bonfire in a feminist ritual or something when I have long hair. I'd post pictures, but blogger doesn't do well with pictures, so here are some links to pictures.
Link 1
Link 2
Link 3
Link 4
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Change
I'm sick of myself. Do you ever get sick of yourself? Sometimes I just get tired of being me. I want to...I don't know...borrow somebody else's mind and body for a while. Just to try something new to relieve the boredom of me. I know other people don't think I'm boring (most of them, anyway), but I'm so used to me that I'm bored out of my skull. I wish to change myself. Just a few things...
I want to de-censor myself. I want to be less complex. I overthink everything, and I'd like to be a little simpler, a little more in the moment, and a little more carefree. Instead of sitting around worrying and deliberating about everything I have to do, I'd like to just do it. I don't think worrying beforehand about a task decreases the number of mistakes I make, but it does make me freak out more about the mistakes and not fix them as well. I just need to kick back a little, have some fun, get a little excited about things, and not worry so much. Great - now I'm worrying about not worrying.
I want to get into alternate spirituality. I hate having to conform to my parents' religion. There is no freedom in it. They tell that god just is the way he is and to just accept it, and they don't approve of asking questions. They tell you everything that is not christian is evil but they don't explain why. I want to be able to ask questions, and I want to be allowed to explore the darker corners of my mind. I don't want to just have to sit tight and be a good little girl and not ask questions.
I want to de-censor myself. I want to be less complex. I overthink everything, and I'd like to be a little simpler, a little more in the moment, and a little more carefree. Instead of sitting around worrying and deliberating about everything I have to do, I'd like to just do it. I don't think worrying beforehand about a task decreases the number of mistakes I make, but it does make me freak out more about the mistakes and not fix them as well. I just need to kick back a little, have some fun, get a little excited about things, and not worry so much. Great - now I'm worrying about not worrying.
I want to get into alternate spirituality. I hate having to conform to my parents' religion. There is no freedom in it. They tell that god just is the way he is and to just accept it, and they don't approve of asking questions. They tell you everything that is not christian is evil but they don't explain why. I want to be able to ask questions, and I want to be allowed to explore the darker corners of my mind. I don't want to just have to sit tight and be a good little girl and not ask questions.
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