Paul Andrew's blog: "Miscellaneous"

Introverted Sensing Feeling Judging (ISFJ) personality types are characterized above all by their desire to serve others, their "need to be needed." In extreme cases, this need is so strong that standard give-and-take relationships are deeply unsatisfying to them, however, most ISFJ types find more than enough tasks with which to occupy themselves within the framework of a normal life. Since ISFJs, like all Sensing Judging types, are very much bound by the prevailing social conventions, their form of "service" is likely to exclude any elements of moral or political controversy. They specialize in the local, the personal, and the practical.

ISFJ types are often much unappreciated, at work, home, and play. Ironically, because they prove over and over that they can be relied on for their loyalty and unstinting, high-quality work, those around them often take them for granted -- even take advantage of them. Admittedly, the problem is sometimes aggravated by the ISFJ types themselves. For instance, they are notoriously bad at delegating ("if you want something done right, do it yourself"). And although they're hurt by being treated like doormats, they are often unwilling to toot their own horns about their accomplishments, because they feel that although they deserve more credit than they're getting, it's somehow wrong to want any sort of reward for doing work (which is supposed to be a virtue in itself). And as low-profile introverts, their actions don't call attention to themselves as with charismatic extroverts. Because of all of this, ISFJ types are often overworked, and as a result, may suffer from stress-related illnesses.

In the workplace, ISFJ types are methodical and accurate workers, often with very good memories and unexpected analytic abilities. They are also good with people in small-group or one-on-one situations because of their patient and genuinely sympathetic approach to dealing with others. ISFJ persons make pleasant and reliable co-workers and exemplary employees, but tend to be harried and uncomfortable in supervisory roles. They are capable of forming strong loyalties, but these are personal rather than institutional loyalties. If someone they've bonded with in this way leaves the company, the ISFJ person will leave with them, if given the option. Traditional careers for an ISFJ type include: teaching, social work, most religious work, nursing, medicine (general practice only), clerical and secretarial work of any kind, and some kinds of administrative careers.

While their work ethic is high on the ISFJ type's priority list, their families are the centers of their lives. ISFJ persons are extremely warm and demonstrative within the family circle -- and often possessive of their loved ones as well. When an ISFJ type's family include extroverts who want to socialize with the rest of the world, or self-contained introverts, the ISFJ person must learn to adjust to these behaviors and not interpret them as rejection. Being sensing judgers, ISFJ persons place a strong emphasis on conventional behavior. If any of their nearest and dearest depart from the straight-and-narrow, it causes the ISFJ type major embarrassment and sorrow. The closer the relationship and the more public the act, the more intense the embarrassment. Over time, however, ISFJ persons usually mellow, and learn to regard the culprits as harmless eccentrics. Needless to say, ISFJ types take infinite trouble over meals, gifts, and celebrations for their loved ones, although strong judgers may tend to focus more on what the recipient should want rather than what they do want.

Like most introverts, ISFJ persons have a few, but very close and devout friends. They are extremely loyal to these friends, and are ready to provide emotional and practical support at a moment's notice. However, like most sensitive and shy people, they hate confrontation. If you get into a fight, don't expect them to jump in after you. You can count on them, however, run and get the nearest authority figure. For all ISFJ persons, the older their friendships, the more they will be valued. One predominant ISFJ trait that is easily misunderstood by those who haven't known them long is that they are often unable to either hide or articulate any distress they may be feeling. For instance, an ISFJ child may be reproved for "sulking," the actual cause of which is a combination of physical illness plus misguided "good manners." An adult ISFJ may drive a family member or friend into a fit of temper over the ISFJ person's unexplained moodiness, only afterwards to explain about a death in the family they "didn't want to burden anyone with." Those close to ISFJ types should learn to watch for the warning signs in these situations and take the initiative themselves to uncover the problem and help guide them to talk out their feelings and emotions in a constructive manner.

THIS IS BEAUTIFUL ... AND YOU WILL CRY ... IF YOU DON'T SHED A TEAR, THEN YOU ARE NOT HUMAN!!!

Sally jumped up from her seat in the waiting area of the hospital as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room. She asked the surgeon, "How is my little boy? Is he going to be all right? When can I see him?"

The surgeon told Sally, "I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn't make it."

Sally said, "Why do little children get cancer? Doesn't God care any more? Where were you, God, when my son needed you?"

The surgeon asked Sally, "Would you like some time alone with your son? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to the morgue."

Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said goodbye to her son. She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair.

"Would you like a lock of his hair?" the nurse asked.

Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic bag, and handed it to Sally.

Sally said, "It was Jimmy's idea to donate his body to science for study. He said it might help somebody else. I said no at first, but Jimmy said, 'Mom, I won't be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom.'"

Sally went on, "My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could."

Sally walked out of Children's Mercy Hospital for the last time, after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy's belongings on the seat beside her in the car. The drive home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried Jimmy's belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son's room. She started placing the model cars and other personal things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She laid down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep.

It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Laying beside her on the bed was a folded letter. The letter read:

Dear Mom,

I know you're going to miss me, but don't think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just because I'm not around to say I LOVE YOU. I will always love you, Mom, even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you won't be so lonely, that's okay with me. He can have my room and old stuff to play with. But if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn't like the same things us boys do. You'll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know.

Don't be sad thinking about me. This really is a neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything. The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly. And, you know what? Jesus doesn't look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus himself took me to see GOD! And guess what, Mom? I got to sit on God's knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody important. That's when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you goodbye and everything. But I already knew that wasn't allowed.

Well, you know what Mom? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter. I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you. God said for me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him, "Where was He when you needed him?" "God said He was in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was right there, as He always is with all His children.

Oh, by the way, Mom, no one else can see what I've written except you. To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn't that cool? I have to give God His pen back now. He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I'm, sure the food will be great.

Oh, Mom, I almost forgot to tell you. I don't hurt anymore. The cancer is all gone. I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore and God couldn't stand to see me hurt so much, either. That's when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was a Special Delivery! How about that?

Signed with Love, From: God, Jesus & Me"

Let's see Satan stop this one. Take 60 seconds and send this to all the people you know, both friends and foes, within the next hour. You will have caused a multitude of believers to pray to God for each other. Then sit back and feel the Holy Spirit work in your life for doing what you know God loves!

Take Free Global Personality Test
personality tests by similarminds.com