Please understand me...

The name of a classic book about Meyers-Briggs personality types which was developed by a noted psychologist, Carl Jung.

Here's a link to a free online test: humanmetrics

There are four dimensions to the test:
I - introvert E - extrovert
N - intuitive S - sensing
F - feeling T - thinking
P - perceiving J - judging

These are not necessarily set in stone, but at the moment, I'm an INFP.

Hallmark Characteristics: Virtuous, Devoted, Theoretical, Compassionate, and Private

Leadership Style: Skilled listeners with a natural ability to identify with others, INFPs project an outward quiet gentleness, which masks their great determination. Proficient at encouraging others they affirm individual contributions and relentlessly uphold regarded values and ideals while inspiring followers to achieve goal accomplishment.

And another.

"Idealistic, loyal to their values and to people who are important to them. Want an external life that is congruent with their values. Curious, quick to see possibilities, can be catalysts for implementing ideas. Seek to understand people and to help them fulfill their potential. Adaptable, flexible, and accepting unless a value is threatened."

and at another site:

"Healer Idealists are abstract in thought and speech, cooperative in striving for their ends, and investigative and attentive in their interpersonal relations. Healer present a seemingly tranquil, and noticiably pleasant face to the world, and though to all appearances they might seem reserved, and even shy, on the inside they are anything but reserved, having a capacity for caring not always found in other types. They care deeply - indeed, passionately - about a few special persons or a favorite cause, and their fervent aim is to bring peace and integrity to their loved ones and the world.

Healers have a profound sense of idealism derived from a strong personal morality, and they conceive of the world as an ethical, honorable place. Indeed, to understand Healers, we must understand their idealism as almost boundless and selfless, inspiring them to make extraordinary sacrifices for someone or something they believe in. The Healer is the Prince or Princess of fairytale, the King's Champion or Defender of the Faith, like Sir Galahad or Joan of Arc. Healers are found in only 1 percent of the general population, although, at times, their idealism leaves them feeling even more isolated from the rest of humanity."

The mystery of faith

I have certain quotes, things I read here and there that have been sources of inspiration, encouragement, hope, chastisement, at critical junctures in my life. I want to note them here, to share them with others, and remember them for times when I start to forget that God does speak, that He listens, that He knows what we need to hear.

"When God is going to do something wonderful, He always starts with hardship; when God is going to do something amazing, He always starts with an impossibility."

-Ann Lammott - Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith


"Those who cry as they plant crops will sing at harvest time.
Those who cry as they carry out the seeds will return singing and carrying bundles of grain."

-Psalms 126: 5-6

"I wait for the Lord to help me, and I trust his word.
I wait for the Lord to help me more than night watchmen wait for the dawn,
more than night watchmen wait for the dawn.
People of Israel, put your hope in the Lord because He is loving and able to save. He will save Israel from all their sins."

Psalms 128:5-8

and last but not least, PSALM 91.

I saw this on the license plate of a parked car as I was getting out of a taxi near my apartment one evening last year; and I ran to my room to see what words were there. Tears came as I realized that God was speaking to me in that moment, with the words I needed to hear. I went downstairs to see if the car was still there. It had disappeared.

Those who go to God the Most High for safety will be protected by the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, "You are my place of safety and protection. You are my God and I trust you."

God will save you from hidden traps and from deadly diseases. He will cover you with feathers, and under his wings you can hide. His truth will be your shield and protection. You will not fear any danger by night or an arrow during the day. You will not be afraid...

The Lord is your protection; you have made God Most High your place of safety...

The Lord says, "Whoever loves me, I will save. I will protect those who know me. They will call to me, and I will answer them. I will be with them in trouble; I will rescue them and honor them. I will give them a long, full life, and they will see how I can save."

What the world would look like if....

People complained less?

I was up late last night and saw this segment on Oprah about a pastor who decided to start a campaign called, "A Complaint Free World."

You can find the website on the msn article linked above and order no complaint- bracelets for free.

Be Green.

My mom told me today. It was so cute. At first I thought she was make a reference to Kermit the frog; or I that maybe her being in Southern California had finally done a number on her outlook on things...but no, she was referring to this passage below which I found on today's Biblegateway verse of the day:

“But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”- Jeremiah 17:7-8

I needed to see this today. It spoke directly to my situation. Directly.
It's funny how difficult it is to 'prove' God speaks - that He performs miracles all the time. Because only He would understand the significance of this verse at this particular moment in time. The combination of the chastisement, encouragement, hope, food for thought that I needed...it's quite remarkable.

This is no longer original...

I've posted this on a few other sites, but what the hay.

Enough is enough!

:)

Zimbabwe - Sign a letter

In case you've been following the news Zimbabwe has been deteriorating and needs your help. Sign this letter if you get this in time and send to Katila below:

Thanks!


****


From: Katila Pinto de Andrade

Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2007 10:26 AM

Subject: FW: ZIMBABWE STATEMENT FOR SIGN ON



Dear Colleagues, Friends and Partner



As indicated earlier today please find hereunder the statement that we would like your support on. The statement will be run in a least one major newspaper in every country in the SADC region and at least 2 South African papers. What is required is that you mail your support to me (KatilaP@angola.osisa.org ), either as an individual or as an organization. The cut-off time will be tomorrow,

14 March 2007 at 16h00. We are trying to get as many signatures onto the petition as possible so please also forward to as many people as possible.



We look forward to your support in the fight for democracy and respect for human rights.



The OSISA Team



Zimbabweans fight while SADC Watches in Silence: A Call to Action



We represent the many people within SADC who believe in lasting and democratic solutions to the crisis in Zimbabwe. We issue this open letter to all citizens of this region, and in particular to our heads of state and government, members of parliament in the respective countries and senior leaders within the SADC and African Union Secretariats to take urgent action to end the crisis in Zimbabwe.



We learned with shock and dismay of the Zimbabwe state's attack on its citizens on Sunday 11 March 2007 which resulted in the death of Gift Tandare. We are horrified to learn of the arrest and detention of dozens of civil society, church and opposition parties leaders at a peaceful prayer meeting that took place the same day. Their subsequent detention without access to legal counsel and appropriate medical attention is cause for great concern.



We are outraged that not a single state within SADC and the AU has issued a statement decrying the situation and calling for the restoration of, and respect for, human rights in Zimbabwe.



For almost a decade the people of Zimbabwe have suffered under the

unjust regime of Robert Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party. Freedom of

expression and assembly have been severely curtailed, virtually all

independent media outlets have been shut down, and thousands of people

have been dispossessed by an increasingly desperate party and its ruler.



For many years Zimbabwean activists have mounted protest actions and

demonstrations, and have made it clear to the world that they aspire to

live under a democratic dispensation. Using non-violent means, the

people of Zimbabwe have used all legitimate structures at their

disposal: the courts, their parliament and the media, with little or no

effect.



Today, in solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe, we, the people of this

region, must say that enough is enough. Our governments cannot continue

to ignore this situation. Millions of Zimbabweans are displaced and are

no longer able to live in their once prosperous nation. Millions more

within Zimbabwe are hungry, sick and unable to access basic services.



If action is not taken now at the highest levels, there will be blood on

the hands of all those states whose silence has aided and abetted

Mugabe¹s regime. The time for a softly-softly approach if there ever

was one is over.



Those who defend Mugabe imply that his opponents seek to overthrow the

Mugabe regime. This is simply untrue. We firmly believe that the

future of Zimbabwe lies in the hands of Zimbabweans themselves. The

future of Zimbabwe lies in national constitutional talks, in free and

fair elections and in a return to the respect of human rights

principles. The role of the regional and continental community is to

facilitate this process.





We therefore demand regional and continental intervention to ensure:



1. Freedom of assembly, expression, opinion and association are respected;



2. The media is allowed to operate freely;



3. That the looming humanitarian crisis that prevents Zimbabweans from

accessing basic social services including food security, health care,

water and sanitation, be averted.



We urgently call upon all heads of state and government in SADC to

ensure the following:



1. An independent investigation into the death of Gift Tandare on 11

March 2007 following the police shooting in Highfield;



2. The release from detention of all political detainees currently in

custody as a result of exercising their democratic rights to peaceful

protest on 11 March 2007;



3. Provision of quality medical attention to all those in custody;



4. Access to legal counsel by all those in custody;



5. Speedy resolution of this situation by the courts and compliance with

court orders by the police.



Furthermore, we insist that African governments to use bilateral and

multilateral means such as the SADC, African Union and the United

Nations to urgently appoint and dispatch a high-level team of eminent

persons to:



1. Assess the situation on the ground in order to prevent more shootings

and harm to the general public, and



2. Develop a sustainable and inclusive diplomatic solution to the crisis

which includes the hosting of inclusive talks.



NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT, THE FUTURE OF ZIMBABWE IS AT STAKE.



THE PEOPLE OF SADC



1. The Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA)

2.

3.

Why they call them "entrepreneurs"

A jacket for sleeping on public transportation:
Here, and really, right here: http://www.makaga.com/projects/excubo/

No waay.

How does one grow up to think outside the box?

Dare you think cast a wide I-surfing net, I saw this posted as a link to Tara's mahvelous "Here's to Hindsight" blog.