Specific suggestions on how to live a healthy life as an INTJ

1) Take care to listen to someone's idea entirely before you pass judgment on it. Ask questions if necessary. Do whatever it takes to make sure that you understand the idea. Try not to begin judging anything about the idea until you have understood it entirely.

2) Before you begin talking to another person, pause for a moment and look at that person. Take in that person's attitude and feelings at that moment. Be aware of the person with whom you're speaking.

3) If you become upset, walk away immediately. DO NOT express anger. When you get angry, you lose. After you have calmed down, apologize for leaving and continue with what you were doing.

4) Try to identify the personality type of everyone that you encounter frequently in your life. Remember that people with the Sensing preference need to be communicated with in a direct, concise manner. Speak plainly and simply with Sensors, giving "yes" or "no" answers.

5) Try to be on good terms with all people, even those that you consider beneath you. Try to understand that everybody has something to offer.

6) When you make judgments or decisions, try to be aware of your motivation for making the judgment. Are you more interested in finding fault externally, or in improving your own understanding? Seek first to understand, and then to judge.

http://www.personalitypage.com/html/INTJ_per.html

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Stand up soldier, your comrades need you

Pray for me, that I will be committed to the things of God, not just speaking about them but putting them into action. To live my life driven by eternity. That despite setbacks, that I will not lose heart, but I will come back stronger than before.

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I should totally try this

On an unrelated note, feel like rewatching FMAB again but its 31 hours of anime and that feels like a colossal waste of time =(.

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I once thought it was all fine too you know

"I know with you he's in good hands."

Im not as sure about that, but I promise I'll do my best.

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Devoured

If you wake up and don't feel excited about your day ahead, it's likely that what you're doing in your life isn't making you happy. Search for that missing link inside you. Live life on your own terms, by your own design :-)

Something a friend of mine posted on facebook today. Normally I wouldn't give it a second thought, knowing that as a Christian my view of life differs from that of other people. Recently I've been waking up tired and dreary though, so this caught my attention.

I thought that the first part of this is quite true. If you wake up and don't feel excited about your day ahead, you arent satisfied with life. You are displeased with the position that you are in. You dont find anything of worth to look forward to. You'd rather not be awake. You aren't happy.

I've been having nightmares recently. Not really frightening ones and not those that stick in my memory long after I've awoken, but nightmares nonetheless. The content of my dreams have also shifted towards realism. Thing is, I dont usually have nightmares. To have them continuously is a sign that I havn't been resting peacefully.

Its rainy season now and I dont know when the sun will shine again.

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The bright side

I now have unlimited sms, AND I saw lincoln today =D.

But he dont want to say hi to me =(.

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I'll try to sing

We're standing still
In a moment of eternity
Where worlds collide
And I feel the breath of heaven over me

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Hmm

I thought this really resonated with me, despite the fact that I have posted INTJ profile's before.

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As an INTJ, your primary mode of living is focused internally, where you take things in primarily via your intuition. Your secondary mode is external, where you deal with things rationally and logically.


INTJs live in the world of ideas and strategic planning. They value intelligence, knowledge, and competence, and typically have high standards in these regards, which they continuously strive to fulfill. To a somewhat lesser extent, they have similar expectations of others.


With Introverted Intuition dominating their personality, INTJs focus their energy on observing the world, and generating ideas and possibilities. Their mind constantly gathers information and makes associations about it. They are tremendously insightful and usually are very quick to understand new ideas. However, their primary interest is not understanding a concept, but rather applying that concept in a useful way. Unlike the INTP, they do not follow an idea as far as they possibly can, seeking only to understand it fully. INTJs are driven to come to conclusions about ideas. Their need for closure and organization usually requires that they take some action.


INTJ's tremendous value and need for systems and organization, combined with their natural insightfulness, makes them excellent scientists. An INTJ scientist gives a gift to society by putting their ideas into a useful form for others to follow. It is not easy for the INTJ to express their internal images, insights, and abstractions. The internal form of the INTJ's thoughts and concepts is highly individualized, and is not readily translatable into a form that others will understand. However, the INTJ is driven to translate their ideas into a plan or system that is usually readily explainable, rather than to do a direct translation of their thoughts. They usually don't see the value of a direct transaction, and will also have difficulty expressing their ideas, which are non-linear. However, their extreme respect of knowledge and intelligence will motivate them to explain themselves to another person who they feel is deserving of the effort.


INTJs are natural leaders, although they usually choose to remain in the background until they see a real need to take over the lead. When they are in leadership roles, they are quite effective, because they are able to objectively see the reality of a situation, and are adaptable enough to change things which aren't working well. They are the supreme strategists - always scanning available ideas and concepts and weighing them against their current strategy, to plan for every conceivable contingency.


INTJs spend a lot of time inside their own minds, and may have little interest in the other people's thoughts or feelings. Unless their Feeling side is developed, they may have problems giving other people the level of intimacy that is needed. Unless their Sensing side is developed, they may have a tendency to ignore details which are necessary for implementing their ideas.


The INTJ's interest in dealing with the world is to make decisions, express judgments, and put everything that they encounter into an understandable and rational system. Consequently, they are quick to express judgments. Often they have very evolved intuitions, and are convinced that they are right about things. Unless they complement their intuitive understanding with a well-developed ability to express their insights, they may find themselves frequently misunderstood. In these cases, INTJs tend to blame misunderstandings on the limitations of the other party, rather than on their own difficulty in expressing themselves. This tendency may cause the INTJ to dismiss others input too quickly, and to become generally arrogant and elitist.


INTJs are ambitious, self-confident, deliberate, long-range thinkers. Many INTJs end up in engineering or scientific pursuits, although some find enough challenge within the business world in areas which involve organizing and strategic planning. They dislike messiness and inefficiency, and anything that is muddled or unclear. They value clarity and efficiency, and will put enormous amounts of energy and time into consolidating their insights into structured patterns.


Other people may have a difficult time understanding an INTJ. They may see them as aloof and reserved. Indeed, the INTJ is not overly demonstrative of their affections, and is likely to not give as much praise or positive support as others may need or desire. That doesn't mean that he or she doesn't truly have affection or regard for others, they simply do not typically feel the need to express it. Others may falsely perceive the INTJ as being rigid and set in their ways. Nothing could be further from the truth, because the INTJ is committed to always finding the objective best strategy to implement their ideas. The INTJ is usually quite open to hearing an alternative way of doing something.


When under a great deal of stress, the INTJ may become obsessed with mindless repetitive, Sensate activities, such as over-drinking. They may also tend to become absorbed with minutia and details that they would not normally consider important to their overall goal.


INTJs need to remember to express themselves sufficiently, so as to avoid difficulties with people misunderstandings. In the absence of properly developing their communication abilities, they may become abrupt and short with people, and isolationists.


INTJs have a tremendous amount of ability to accomplish great things. They have insight into the Big Picture, and are driven to synthesize their concepts into solid plans of action. Their reasoning skills gives them the means to accomplish that. INTJs are most always highly competent people, and will not have a problem meeting their career or education goals. They have the capability to make great strides in these arenas. On a personal level, the INTJ who practices tolerances and puts effort into effectively communicating their insights to others has everything in his or her power to lead a rich and rewarding life.

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An interesting thought that occurred to me while sending my cousin to school. As I walked back, I cut across a couple of grass patches and an exercise area instead of taking the normal footpaths. As I thought about it, I realised that the simple action stems from a rational decision that cutting across the grass doesnt cost me anything but instead shaves off about 30 seconds in my walk home. 30 seconds isnt much I agree, but its just instinctive to want to optimize travelling time. A simple thing like that causes me to break the social norm of walking on footpaths. Its a little scary to know just how much my functioning mode affects the way I live my life, even in all these little things.

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New blog

You know what, I'll go ahead with that new blog idea. At most, if it doesnt work out I'll revert back to having all of my posts here.

Ask me personally and privately for my other address.

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The sun sets and the land becomes enveloped in darkness

It shouldnt matter so much, but unfortunately it just does. It doesnt make any rational sense for it to be so but who ever said logic and reason were the basis by which people operate. As human beings, we live in the realm of emotion, our experiences in life. Logic and reason supplement that, its just a matter of to what extent.

Some day, I'll look back and be glad for all the experiences I have been through. They mold me and strengthen me to become a better person.

Being glad that I have been through them doesnt make them any more pleasant though. Things from long gone still haunt me, not in the form of the people themselves anymore, but in an innate fear within me that things will go wrong once more like it did then.

Sometimes, im not sure whats the matter. While I understand that ultimately we are not in control of our lives but it is God who holds it all in His hands, I also believe that what we actually do does makes a difference to the final outcome. If you study hard, you will more likely than not score well. Thats simple cause and effect. As such, what I do here and now, my actions, my speech, my attitude, everything, affects the end result. In that, sometimes I dont know why, I find myself lacking. I dont think im terrible, not anymore, but theres still much more that I have not grasped. There are still things that I dont seem to be doing right.

They say im an INTJ, so thats the way I am. I cant help but wonder though, if just because you are an INTJ,  you have to necessarily accept both the pros and cons of being one. I like the pros of being an INTJ, I really do, but I really dislike the cons of it too. It sounds like an obvious statement to say you dont like the stuff you're bad at, but the truth in some INTJ's wont actually be so bothered by these particular flaws. But I am very bothered by it.

Maybe I should print out that list of ten rules to live by.

At least I know the biggest step in growth is always to first and foremost acknowledge your weaknesses. Even then, sometimes I wonder if its too late. I have my entire life out in front of me of course, and being rid of these weaknesses will help. But specifically, right here, right now, im afraid its too late.

Sometimes, I wish I could take a two year hiatus, away from every single person I know, so they would forget who I used to be, and come back different and continue from there. Maybe thats one advantage of studying overseas. But I could never go away for two years.

And the funny thing is, most people wouldnt understand that. Especially not for someone like me.

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Sounds all about me again. Still waiting for the day where everything will be alright. How many years has it been?

Its time for a run. That fire that burns in your lungs purges gloominess very effectively.

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Speaking of years, DI is turning four. That means im turning four. Its been awhile.

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Im thinking of separating this blog into two. One open to the public and the other more personal one just for closer friends. Not everything can and should be expressed freely in public domain. This post is just borderline, and I might elaborate more if it were in a more private setting. Hmm. Should I?

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Thought of the day: What if?

"Leadership is a thankless job."
- A friend

To be more specific, perhaps I'll say that anything that requires you giving of yourself without personal returns, that requires you sacrifice for others and they may not even realise it (or at least understand the extent of it), is a thankless job. Leadership just happens to be perhaps one of the most common occurrence of such situations.

We live in a fallen world, among people with fallen natures. Not everyone you meet is the most loving, most wonderful person ever. Some people are just hard to love. It could be many reasons. Perhaps selfishly childish, perhaps really heckload annoying, perhaps it just so happens that a particular weakness of theirs is cuttingly glaring to us.

It is easy to give up on these people, to say 'I dont know what the hell is wrong with this fella, and im not going to care'. Funny though, God never gave up on us. God never gave up on this annoying prick who sits here writing this. The annoying prick who a couple of years back was probably one of the most selfishly childish and heckload annoying person ever.

My parents never gave up on me. Some of my friends never gave up on me (some did, its a pity). Despite all my flaws and failures, they never did. And I guess eventually they played a huge part in shaping me to become the person who I am today.

What if, today, you say to yourself, 'I cant take this anymore, I give up on this person', what happens? How would it have affected things? Honestly, we'll never know. We can't see the future. We can't see what ifs. Yet we know this, each and every single little actions of ours can go a long way into fundamentally changing the course of life of another. Knowing this, could you ever really give up on anyone?

I know I cant. I will get tired. I will get impatient. I will feel like I dont want to care anymore. But I cant. I could never convince myself to give up on another person.

What if you could change the destiny of someone else? What if you hold the key to it, and you dont even know it? What if you are God's chosen instrument to impact that particular life?

And what if you say no, and you forever snuff that little candle out?

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2 Timothy 4:1-8


I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.


For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

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Going home

Private Ryan: It doesn't make any sense, sir. Why? Why do I deserve to go? Why not any of these guys? They all fought just as hard as me.
Captain Miller: Is that what they're suppose to tell your mother when they send her another folded American flag?
Private Ryan: Tell her that when you found me I was here and I was with the only brothers that I have left and that there was no way I was gonna desert them. I think she'll understand that. There's no way I'm leaving this bridge.

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Sergeant Horvath: I don't know. Part of me thinks the kid's right. He asks what he's done to deserve this. He wants to stay here, fine. Let's leave him and go home. But then another part of me thinks, what if by some miracle we stay, then actually make it out of here. Someday we might look back on this and decide that saving Private Ryan was the one decent thing we were able to pull out of this whole godawful, shitty mess. Like you said, Captain, maybe we do that, we all earn the right to go home.

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Omnomnom

Just completed:
Caramel Macchiato Ice Cream

Cant wait to do it again:
Cream of Mushroom Soup

Things to tackle soon:
Grilled Flank Steak
Tauhuay
Garlic Salmon

Things to tackle before enlistment:
Grape Sherbet
Potato Gratin
Grilled Salmon
Roast Beef

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P.S. I failed. The caramel macchiato was too hard. I mean, I completed it and all and its in my fridge now, but I failed to follow through with the recipe. I couldnt make myself add all the sugar in, stopped at three quarters of the recommended amount. I just couldnt. It was torturous. I wouldnt eat that nasty thing except that its too tasty. Heh.

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Ice cream is really hard to make

The two hardest steps of making ice cream:
1) Add 200 grams white sugar
2) Add 475 ml heavy cream.

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