Quotes to share with you:

“I have both wandered and traveled in this life.  The difference is that you wander for distraction, but you walk for travel for fulfillment.”

“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.”    – James 1:19

“Tis better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.”    – Abraham Lincoln

“Think twice before you speak, and then you may be able to say something more insulting than if you spoke right out at once.”  – Evan Esar, Esar’s Comic Dictionary

“The godly think before speaking; the wicked spout evil words.” – Proverbs 15:28

So…I’ve been doing quite a bit of instrospection on my primary personality.  I am a “thinker” by nature…meaning I require information in order for me to decide something..even to decide my feelings on that something.  Without information, I feel entirely unqualified to make a decision…even the decision to be joyous or mournful about something.  This can sometimes be hard to convey when you’re in a relationship with someone who is not this way at all.  While I don’t believe that my way is the best, or the only right way…it is still my way, and I cannot get past it.  I need information.  When someone asks me a question, I have to investigate it before I can give them my opinion on it.  If the information is not to be found, or given to me, then I disregard the question until I can get the information I need to be conclusive.

One thing that I’m trying to learn is how to not allow my lack of a stance be shown as apathy for what is going on.  I want to be involved…desperately…but I cannot, in good conscience, become involved until I have the necessary information.  It’s the reason why I seldom get involved in politics, or discussions on the economy…because I don’t have a lot of information on it…something that changes daily…for me to really be able to discuss it.  Sports are another thing for me.  I do not understand a lot of it…I don’t have a lot of information, therefore, I really don’t think I’m qualified to discuss issues of athletics with others…especially those who are die-hard sports-addicts.  (And no, this statement does not retract my claim that I prefer the Steelers to any other pro football team out there).

What I’m trying to say is…basically something for my own benefit…and maybe for the benefit of some others.  If you have trouble communicating with someone…there might not be anything wrong other than they require something different than you for them to understand.  You might be prone to just be an exciteable person, but they might need as much information as possible to be just as excited as you are.  Or, you might feel like you need to give all the information you can to someone, when really, all they want are the basics.  The suggestion I have…make sure you know your audience before you draw conclusions about their reactions.  Then maybe, maybe you’ll be able to get the reaction you want, if you are sympathetic to how their mind works.

My sociology lesson for the day.  Thank you.