This blog has undergone a 36-month gestation period; evolving and growing. As a potential reader of this blog, I think it might be helpful to you if I share a little bit more about myself.
Personality wise, I am – if you are familiar with Myers-Briggs personality lingo – an Extrovert, iNtuitive, Feeler and Judger (ENFJ). This basically translates, I am a people person, hence the attraction to relationships; a “big-picture” person, known to skip details; a deep-feeling person, which makes prioritizing a challenge since I FEEL deeply about everything: world peace, homelessness, climate change, a friend’s pain. . .; and a Judger, which simply means I must get the job done and I make a list to ensure I get the job done. And yes, I still carry around my Franklin Planner even though I know you techies all have your calendar and grocery list on your smart phones.
I have spent the last twenty years working in the area of relationship education and coaching. I am trained in Human Relations and Religious Studies. I find God in the “both/and;” wedding the spiritual and the practical.
I believe that Grace builds on nature; that we find God and ourselves in, through and with relationships; a wide variety of relationships: family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, committee members, your trivia team, fellow church members, teammates. . . the list goes on.
An example from my life: I love children. I love their sense of wonder and awe. Being with little ones opens my eyes to a world that I often miss in my “too-busy adult” world. Their wonder at a dandelion, their awe of a lawn sprinkler, their love of a cuddly puppy reintroduces me to the awe and wonder and joy of God’s world. Their willingness to hold my hand and give me an unsolicited hug speaks to me of being loved just because “I am.”
Similarly, with grown-up friends: I am moved and energized by their passion for life; their dedication to service; their fidelity to others in good times and bad.
I am a “woman in love with life” and I seek relationships that bring me “life:” Life that is genuine; that calls me forth to be a better person; that affirms me for who I am rather than who I “should” be; whom I can trust, with whom I can laugh, with whom I can cry.
I recall in a relationship class I was teaching a few years ago; it was November and some of the women and men taking the class were going home for Thanksgiving. One young woman commented that when she went home, she would be “ten years old again and would not have set the table correctly.” This young woman was not free to be herself in her mother’s home.
Often at the end of each blog entry, I will suggest some questions for you to reflect on; journal about, if you wish; share/discuss with others. I have shared my reflections on a topic and invite you to do your own reflection on the topic.
For Your Reflection
What relationships energize you; bring you life?
What relationships cause you to lose energy; relationships that do not allow you to be your “self?” Keeping you at age 10?
“Choose Life then, that you and your children may live.”
Deuteronomy 30:31
We must keep choosing Life; life that is energizing. That does not mean all the choices we make are easy. Seeking personal, inner freedom; the ability to “walk in our own truth” can be challenging and formidable. But the outcome is worth all the effort.
Resources
For More information on Myers-Briggs Personality Types:
Google “Myers-Briggs personality indicators”
You will be directed to many sites. If you choose to take the personality assessment from the Myers-Briggs Company website, a fee includes a personality type report. Other websites may not charge a fee.
Personality Type Book Recommendations:
Gifts Differing: Understanding Personality Type by Isabel Briggs Myers and Peter B. Myers; Davies-Black Publishing
I’m Not Crazy, I’m Just Not You by Roger R. Pearman & Sarah C. Albritton; Davies-Black Publishing
The Annunciation Blog 
Sounds great, Bridget. I hope to do my part in sharing and want to learn from others.
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