"What do you want to be when you grow up?"
It's the age-old question. When I was four, I wanted to be a mermaid. When I was six, it had changed to a nurse (spelled, by me, N-R-S). A few years later I wanted to be an inventor, then a scientist so I could cure HIV. In middle school, I wanted to be an actress or a director. Then, I got to high school, and I was told that that was unrealistic, so I picked a "realistic" option, a teacher. Then I was told that that wasn't good enough either. So now, I'm off to college. I'm going to study to be an editor, and hopefully a writer. I want to be a writer because I believe that's my best bet to being what I really want to be: important. I want to be important. I want to be remembered and revered, or not revered. I want to be famous or infamous. I want to be the hero or the villain or the funny sidekick--I really don't care what I am as long as I'm important. I've spent so long feeling last. Not second-best, not average. Last. Feeling like I wasn't good enough for anything or anyone. I would try to talk to someone, and I would nearly throw up from nervousness. I bit my nails, I paced. I cried tears of sadness and frustration. Even talking to a friend made me feel two seconds away from being scorned and humiliated. Left friendless and unloved and unwanted. I'm terrified of being forgotten. By everyone--friends, family, my school. People who mean the world to me but can barely remember my name. I want to be someone that people are clamoring to get attention from. I want to be someone that couldn't possibly be forgotten because she's important. And I would love to do something incredible to be my reason for being important. Writing is my best option for that. I may not be smart enough to cure HIV or to invent flying cars, but I can write. I can write about important things, and try my best to make the world a better place that way. I would love to leave behind a legacy of kindness and love; I would love to have my books be studied in an English class. But I really want to be important. I don't know any other way to word it. As everyone in the entire world knows, the live-action Beauty and the Beast movie came out on March 17, 2017 to the delight of Disney fans, and little kids, everywhere. The new movie stayed true to the original source material while still managing to add new aspects to differentiate it from the 1991 version. Among the new aspects are characters, storylines, and, most importantly, music.
Music is a huge part of a successful musical, for obvious reasons. You need, at least, a great opening song, a catchy dance number, and an emotional ballad in order to win the crowd, and Beauty and the Beast has managed to nail that in all three versions. But which one is the best? The first song to discuss is the big opening number: “Belle,” which follows Belle around her small town while her fellow townspeople sing about how strange she is. In the 1991 version, the ensemble is very well-rounded. You can hear each section―soprano, alto, tenor, and bass―and they all blend well together to make it sound full and musical. In the Broadway version, Susan Egan, the original Belle, is what truly carries the song. The townspeople are good singers, but they don’t have that one thing to make it match the original. As for the live-action version, it’s good, but I can’t really hear any harmonies, the voices are too shrill in places, and the song just lacks a deep sound throughout its entirety. The next song(s) are “No Matter What” from the Broadway version and “How Does a Moment Last Forever” from the live-action version. (Sadly, the original does not have a song to go with these two.) Both of these songs are Belle’s father, Maurice’s time to shine. “No Matter What” is an incredibly sweet duet between Belle and Maurice, each talking about how the other is important and special and loved. Proof that Maurice is the best father ever: “I pray that you remain exactly as you are.” In “How Does a Moment Last Forever,” Maurice sings about his relationship with Belle’s deceased mother. It’s a very touching song and is reprised later in the movie by Belle. Celine Dion also recorded a version which plays during the ending credits of the movie. As for which song is better, I personally think that “No Matter What” helps to establish the connection between Belle and her father, but Kevin Kline, who plays Maurice in the live-action version, has a better voice for his song. Gaston’s proposal in the original Beauty and the Beast is humorous because Belle kicks him out while a Polka band plays in the background; in the Broadway version, he gets his own song, and let me tell you, it is brilliant. The song is entitled “Me.” In it, Gaston, true to form, sings all about himself and how wonderful Belle’s life will be when (not if) she marries him. My favorite thing about this song is how it is performed; so, if it has grabbed your interest (and why wouldn’t it?), go on YouTube and look it up. Trust me, it’s worth it. The “Belle (Reprise)” is short, so I’ll (hopefully) mirror that fact. Each of the Belles are good singers and bring their own personalities into the song. Even though Emma Watson’s voice is clearly auto-tuned, it’s not as obvious in the reprise, and I think that the powers-that-be may have actually let her sing. For all intents and purposes, though, Paige O’Hara has this one. A lot happens in-between the “Belle (Reprise)” and “Gaston” which is why the Broadway version added in a very emotional song: “Home,” which Belle sings after she has agreed to take her father’s place as the Beast’s prisoner. This is one of my favorite songs because it shows a different side of Belle, one where she’s scared but still determined to be strong. It’s all about how just because she’s stuck at the castle for the rest of her life, it’s not her home (because “Home will be where the heart is”) and she’s not giving up on her life outside. As mentioned before, next up is “Gaston/Gaston (Reprise).” Of course this song made it into all three versions because it is simply a work of art. LeFou, one of the greatest comic relief roles in history, is at his best with this song and generally being a great best friend. (After all, I would love to have a song that says my name at least seventeen times.) The original and Broadway versions are pretty similar as far as lyrics go, although there is a large dance break in the Broadway version. In the live-action version, the songwriters changed quite a bit―for realistic reasons, for creative reasons, I don’t know―but the lyrics are still good. Luke Evans plays a great Gaston, but he doesn’t quite belt it out there at the beginning like the other two Gastons. As for the LeFou’s, my personal favorite is the live-action version. Gad is a great comedian, and he brings something very unique to the bar table. Please, be my guest as I discuss the next song: “Be Our Guest.” While each performance of this song is extremely intricate and well-done, I have to say that the original version will forever be the best version. Not only does it have Angela Lansbury (and I’m sorry, but you can’t beat a Broadway legend), but Jesse Corti is just the best LeFou. His French accent is spot on throughout the entire movie, for one, but his performance in “Be Our Guest” is very fun and humorous without it seeming like he’s trying too hard. What I will say about the live-action version is that I enjoyed the new character, Maestro Cadenza, a harpsichord, who got his own mini solo, which I thought was charming. Next are two songs that don’t actually “happen” at the same time, but they have the same meaning and are sung by the same character, so I have to discuss them together. In the Broadway version, after the Beast scares Belle away from the castle, he sings “If I Can’t Love Her,” where he laments the fact that she was his last chance for breaking the curse and he let her get away. Then, in Act II after Belle has gone to help her father, the Beast sings “If I Can’t Love Her (Reprise)” in which he says that he has learned to love her, but that she does not―cannot―love him in return. In the live-action version, the Beast sings “Evermore” while climbing up the towers of his castle as he watches Belle ride away from him. “Now I know she’ll never leave me/Even as she runs away”―talk about heartbreaking. (It’s especially impressive when you learn that this song was Dan Stevens’ first time singing.) Now we’ll rewind and go back to the moment when Belle and the Beast’s relationship begins to change: “Something There.” All three performances of this song are well-done and sweet, with no lyrical changes, so it comes down to the best singers. While most of the time I prefer Susan Egan’s Belle to Paige O’Hara’s, I think that O’Hara has the best version; therefore, I’m giving this song to the original Beauty and the Beast. While “Be Our Guest” is a wonderful chance for the enchanted objects in the castle to sing, they obviously needed a song to express their longing to be human again or to reminisce their days in the sun. In the Broadway version and the special extended edition of Beauty and the Beast, the song “Human Again” features characters like Lumiere and Madame de la Grande Bouche (renamed Madame Garderobe in the live-action version) telling what they’ll do when they’re no longer household appliances. In the live-action version, they sing “Days in the Sun” which is essentially about the same thing but has a completely different feel. It’s more nostalgic than hopeful, mostly due to the fact that Madame Garderobe and Maestro Cadenza sing about how they haven’t seen each other in years due to being on different floors. The titular song, “Beauty and the Beast,” has become a classic. As much as I would love to compare the three versions of this song, I know what the answer will be, so why waste everybody’s time? Obviously, the original version is the best version (because who can compete with Angela Lansbury?) However, the ending song of the live-action version is a close second with Audra McDonald’s incredible voice leading the way. Once again, this song is only from the Broadway version, but it’s an amazing song. “A Change In Me” is Belle telling her father that something within her has changed. It comes up when she is trying to convince him that the Beast is not the monster Maurice thinks he is; she then goes on to explain how she has grown as a person. It’s an incredible piece that talks about being at peace with oneself and how it’s expected as you grow up. A++ job. Finally, it’s time to discuss “The Mob Song,” (Dun dun dun!) This is probably one of my favorite moments from Beauty and the Beast, which I know is weird, because of the music and because of the meaning. The ensemble sings, “We don’t like what we don’t understand/In fact, it scares us,” which adds a whole other level to the evil behind it. In the live-action version, there are two new parts which I think adds a more sinister aspect to Gaston’s character (“Call it war, call it threat/You can bet they all will follow/For in times like this they’ll do just as I say”) and a more self-aware aspect to LeFou’s (“There’s a beast running wild, there’s no question/But I fear the wrong monster’s released.”) For those reasons, and also because I think this is Luke Evans’ best performance which blows the other Gastons out of the water, the live-action version of “The Mob Song” is the best. Each version of Beauty and the Beast is special and enchanting in its own way. That being said, I have to say that, from a purely musical standpoint, the Broadway version is the best version. Their singers are great, and they manage to bring their acting into their singing, which is another reason why I think that it’s better than the other two. Not only does it do the original songs justice, it adds in several new songs that are simply incredible, as Broadway is wont to do. “Home” will forever have a place in my heart, and “Me” will forever be playing in the back of my mind while I’m taking my AP tests. (FYI, “Evermore” seriously almost beat out the Broadway version single-handedly, but I can’t get over Emma Watson’s auto-tuning.) The difference between pink and blue (or, the gender stereotypes forced on us from a young age)5/16/2017 Girls are sugar and spice and everything nice while boys are snips and snails and puppy dog tails, according to an old nursery rhyme. Personally, I know this rhyme from that one episode of The Powerpuff Girls when Mojo Jojo creates the Rowdyruff Boys and chaos ensues. But I digress. Girls are taught from a young age to be prim, pretty, and proper; boys are taught to be rough, tough, and wild. Girls are pink, and boys are blue. Girls must be sweet, and guys must be strong. Why is that?
Let’s first begin with girls. Everything is pink and little bows and cupcakes. From a young age, society is pushing us into this box. A box consists of six sides, right? Let’s assign a trait that girls are expected to have to each side. Side one: pretty. If you’re not pretty, you’re nothing, but if you are pretty, you’re still nothing because you’re not allowed to be smart and have thoughts; if you are pretty, then you’ll land a guy who will support you for the rest of your life. While I have nothing against marrying rich and not having to work, why is it always the female gender that is associated with this? Why is it a sugar daddy and not a sugar momma? (Please note: these past few sentences are more satirical than serious.) But honestly, girls have to wear makeup. Girls have to have their hair done and their nails done. Girls have to wear cute outfits. Now, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to do these things (I much prefer dresses to pants), but the problem is that the majority of women believe that they have to do these things. That’s not true at all, but that’s what we’re taught. Side two: virtuous. Chaste. Saintly. Pure. Girls are expected to wait until marriage. There’s really no other way to put it. Women can date other people, but you have to save your self for the right guy. As if. While guys can sleep with whomever they want to because that just makes them “cooler” and “more masculine,” girls are labeled as a slut and a whore if they so much as let someone go to second base. And God forbid if she loses her virginity because then it’s fair game to slut shame. It’s disgusting to walk through the high school hallways and hear guys bragging about “a conquest” and then for them to turn around and make fun of the girl. Does that not ring hypocritical to anyone else? Side three: sensitive. Girls have to be nice and sweet and kind, all rainbows and gumdrops and butterflies. Women have to smile and wave, have to like puppies and kitties and coo at babies. Girls are not “allowed” to like scary or tough things. It’s weird to like wrestling or spiders, weird to prefer superheroes to princesses and horror movies to romcoms. Again, there’s nothing wrong with liking puppies and princesses and other feminine stuff; it’s wrong to shove it down our throats and make us be someone that we may not want to be. Side four: submissive. This mindset honestly needs to be left back in the 1950s where it belongs. A couple of months ago, I saw an article that was talking about the “19 things to be a perfect housewife,” and I nearly threw up. Sorry to break it to you, but both men and women work in this day and age. Also, women are not exclusively nurses and flight attendants; they are pilots, police officers, doctors, artists, and so much more. Women are strong, and it’s not right to be told that you have to submit to your male counterpart. I hate it when girls act dumb so that they don’t make a boy feel inferior to them. Make him feel inferior! Show off your talents and your intelligence! If you’re good at something, make it known. If someone compliments you, own it. Whenever a girl is complimented (which is mostly on her looks by the way, not “hey, great job on that Calc test!”), she is expected to accept it with a nod and a blush. If she acts like she knows she’s pretty or smart or anything, the compliment is immediately rescinded and some rather lewd names are thrown her way. Why am I not allowed to celebrate what makes me great? Someone please explain this to me! Side five: delicate. You know what I mean―small, soft features, graceful, and a gentle demeanor. Delicacy is synonymous with femininity; it’s just the truth. People want to be comforted by someone with a sweet face and a delicate touch, people are drawn to that. Therefore, if a girl wants to successfully catch a man, she must be delicate. There are two parts to delicacy: the personality part and the appearance part. Let’s move on to the appearance. You know that one really tiny person that always makes you feel like a giant no matter how short you are? Do you ever feel self-conscious around that person? It’s because women are brought up thinking, “The tinier the better!,” and so when you’re around a tiny person you just feel inferior. Also, when you’re tiny, you look vulnerable and fragile. Men have the instinct to protect the weak (which is why women are often referred to as “the weaker sex” which is disgusting, sexist, and completely untrue. I think that both genders put up with a lot of crap, and can we please just stop pitting ourselves against one another?), so women are told that they need to look weak. You know the “I’m cold. Here, take my jacket” maneuver that movies and teen novels are so fond of? Protecting the weak. Side six: nurturing. Women have babies. Yes, we all know that. We all took health class, as painful as that was. We know that women are mothers. They are the ones with the reproductive organs for it, we get it. The thing is, not all women have to be mothers. Not all women want children or want to be pregnant. Not all women like babies. It may sound odd, but that is only because we are brought up with these goals in mind―school, college, marriage, family. Does anyone disagree, and boys, you don’t count. (Although I’m willing to bet that about ninety percent of you reading this were brought up the exact same way.) The ultimate ending to a woman’s life is to have a family. It happens in every romance movie, or at least is hinted at happening. Girls are taught that in order to be happy, you have to have a husband and 2.5 babies to go with him. Again, there is absolutely nothing wrong with liking these traits. I myself have quite a few of them. What’s bad about this is that these gender stereotypes are forced upon us when they shouldn’t be. And what’s more, guys should be allowed to have these traits without fear of judgment. With that being said, let’s move on to the opposite gender. Many women complain that men have it easier because they are not held to the impossible standards of beauty or because they can walk home safely in the dark or because of all sorts of reasons. And yes, those arguments are valid because they are true, but being a man isn’t the cakewalk that it seems to be. Men aren’t held to impossible standards of beauty? Perhaps not, but they are body-shamed just as much as women. Women pick up a magazine and see a skinny, blonde model; men pick up a magazine and see a muscly, square-jawed athlete. Men are pressured to be strong and look buff; They are told to go to the gym, to do anything to get the muscular body. One in three teenage boys admit to using some sort of muscle enhancer, and we all know the stories of the athletes who use steroids because they’re all over the media. Do you ever think that if we didn’t hold men to these standards, maybe they wouldn’t feel the need to use illegal substances? (Just a thought.) Men have to be masculine. That includes doing nothing that may be construed as feminine, such as scrapbooking, ballet, and baking. That also includes not wearing makeup. Now, I suppose this may not seem like a big deal; after all, I just went on about how women are told they “have” to wear makeup and now I’m upset that guys “can’t”? Well, the reasoning behind that is because guys can’t wear makeup. You should’ve seen the look on my cousin’s face when I had to put eyeshadow on him for a play we were just recently in. Honestly, so many men wear makeup (celebrities, singers, judges and hosts on game shows), but no one ever talks about it because it’s so taboo. Quite frankly, I don’t understand why putting overpriced goop on one gender’s face is more acceptable than putting it on the other gender’s face, but ‘tis the absurdness of our society. Did you know that men are 3 ½ times more likely to commit suicide than women? I don’t believe that there is an actual scientific reason for this, but I’m willing to bet that it has something to do with the fact that men are told to bottle up their feelings, to not show weakness, to be tough. To not be a girl. Why is that? Why aren’t guys allowed to be compassionate? Why is it a sign of weakness when a man cries? Men are "supposed" to be strong. They’re the ones who are looked to for comfort when a bad thing happens. They’re the ones who have to “hold it together” for their families. Who can say who started this archaic belief that men are not allowed to show weakness, but I think we can all agree that it needs to stop. It’s unfair to force men to keep all of their feelings inside. It’s unfair to force men to hide their problems and even their successes. Is it not sad to watch a little boy grow up from being an expressive and fun kid to a tough, no-nonsense guy? How can parents stand to see the light go out of their son’s eyes as they are continually told to man up, to not cry, to get over it? Why it’s okay for little girls to like dolls and little boys to like robots, but not the other way around will never make sense to me. Why we’re forced into these idiotic gender-stereotypes is a mystery to me, but we’re in them, and it’s going to be a long time until we break from them. Listen: if you’re a girl and you like to feel pretty, or if you’re a guy and you genuinely want to participate in football, then be my guest. There is nothing wrong with that. I just want you to know that you don’t have to do these things, no matter what anyone tells you. Just be the amazing person that you are and live your life the way you want. "Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light." ~Dylan Thomas, final two lines This poem was written for a man's dying father. I read a book that used this poem to symbolize a revolution against a corrupt government. I'm sure there are more meanings for this poem, and that's the thing that I love about it. The entire poem itself is a beautiful piece, but these last two lines are the ones that always stick out to me. They urge me to stand up for what I believe in, to not give in--to never give in. Whenever I read these two lines, I'm always struck with a feeling of power. It's like that moment when the Power Rangers morph into their suits: there's lightning and moving objects and a normal person at the end but a superhero at the end. I feel like I can make a difference in the world, bring about change, fight the patriarchy, anything really. Thomas wrote this for his dying father, urging him to hold onto his life, to not his will to live. I look at this poem and see it differently (which is one of the beautiful things about poetry.) I read this poem and I think, "I won't let myself be oppressed. I won't let myself be forced to do anything against my will. I won't, I won't, I won't." This poem inspires change and fight and drive and fire. Now, more than any other time, it is important to remember the words of Dylan Thomas. I know that most people think the 14th of February, aka Valentine's Day, is nothing more than a capitalist scheme invented to make hundreds of thousands of people spend tons of money. The hearts in pink, red, and white stapled everywhere gives them a stomach ache, as does the smell of the plastic-y chocolate in those cheap $2 heart boxes. The roses, the chocolates, the gifts are all seen as luxurious nothings given on the so-called "Day of Love" that way one significant other doesn't have to do anything for their partner for the rest of the year.
I, however, do not believe that. Now, don't get me wrong, I think it's dumb how some people treat Valentine's Day as one of the only days to show your love. I believe that you should show your love everyday because the person you love deserves that. But I do still think that Valentine's Day is important. Recently, I found the story of Saint Valentine. (Of course, this is only an idea of how Valentine's Day came to be, but I think it's how it actually happened.) A long time ago, there was a leader who banned young men from being married due to the fact that he needed more soldiers for his army. Of course this wasn't fair and one man, a priest, decided that he was going to ignore the law. The priest, Valentine, married soldiers because he believed in love. Eventually, Valentine was found out, imprisoned, and executed. Before he was executed, he befriended the blind daughter of his prison guard and eventually gave her sight. Legend says that he wrote her a note before his execution signed, "From Your Valentine." And that is how Valentine's Day was started. Again, this is only one version of how Valentine's Day came to be, but it's my favorite. I think it truly captures the essence and the meaning of love. Valentine knew that he would be killed, but he went through and united couples in love and happiness anyway. It adds a layer to Valentine's Day, it adds a depth. Valentine's Day is not just romantic love; it's familial, friendly, neighborly love. (At least, that's what I believe.) I think love is the most important thing there is, and Valentine's Day could be a wonderful holiday if we celebrate it for what it truly is: a celebration of love. 1. Grand pianos
2. Big, floppy hats 3. Cotton candy ice cream 4. Old, vintage names 5. Shoes with bows 6. Cats 7. Peter Pan collars 8. Black nail polish and red lipstick 9. Musical scores 10. Fairytales I recently found out that I won a scholarship I applied for back in October in which I had to send in a short story. Unfortunately, I cannot accept the scholarship because I'm not going to the college that it is to be used for. (So that's sad.) However, on Wednesday, I got an email informing me that the story I submitted would be published in the spring edition of their college journal. Therefore, I am getting published!!! I don't care that it's small, and that not a lot of people are going to read it, but I'm still super excited!! So, I will be posting the story "Finding Love in a Taxi Cab" under my Writer's Notebook tab, so all of you lovely readers may read my soon-to-be published story.
I'M REALLY EXCITED!!!! There are famous INFJs from all ends of the spectrum: Agatha Christie and Leo Tolstoy to Hitler and Osama bin Laden to Cate Blanchett and Benedict Cumberbatch. Personally, I think it is cool that I share a personality type with great minds that wrote famous books or actors who have made a huge name for themselves. Even though Hitler and Osama bin Laden were not good people, they did manage to convince people to follow them and die for their cause, even if it was a despicable cause. The point is that all of these people are powerful people who changed the world in some way, good or bad. These people have the same type of thinking and feeling that I do, and it makes me feel powerful. What does it mean to be an INFJ, though?
INFJ stands for Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Judging. “The individual who prefers Introversion is aware of the internal world of experiences and is generally less in tune with the Extraverted energy field” (Pearman and Albritton, pg. 8). We are less likely to feel the need to express our thoughts and ideas until it is necessary. INFJs are also Intuitive: we have a thirst for knowledge and are seen as imaginative, unconventional, and intellectual. A popular phrase used when talking about us is “head in the clouds.” “Feeling types respond first with acceptance of an individual and a desire to accommodate before bringing logic and analysis to a situation” (Pearman and Albritton, pg. 14). Feeling types are accepting, rely on our emotions, and seek an overall agreement on something. Judging types are extremely organized. We are attached to calendars, which I can verify, and are especially skilled at prioritizing and organizing. In fact, I bought an agenda this year, and I have never felt so accomplished in my entire highschool career. I also do my best work when I am left alone with my thoughts. I have been particularly accomplished this year in the school newspaper because most of my close friends are not in there to distract me. As an Intuitive, I am extremely imaginative. I have a million book ideas in my head, and I know that they are all wonderful. I just need to put pen to paper. (Or rather, fingers to keys.) “... Intuitives like instead to explore paths that have never been imagined―often just because they are different” (Tiberio and Jensen, pg. 41). I am a dreamer, and I am extremely proud of that fact. I like to think that I bring a lot of ideas to my families and friendships. As a Feeling type, I am extremely accepting and trusting of emotions. Due to this, I have a tendency to let people hurt me. It has often made me wonder if I am at fault for letting people in; I hate how emotional and trusting I am towards people. However, due to this research, I have learned why I am the way I am, and it has helped me come to terms with it and even love myself for it. Everybody is different; I just happen to be a person who puts up less of a front than others. A particular quote that I find extremely fitting is one from Emilie Autumn’s book, The Asylum for Wayward Victorian Girls: “‘You’, he said, ‘are a terribly real thing in a terribly false world, and that, I believe, is why you are in so much pain.’” I have always been personally fond of writing. It is a good outlet, and I love to create new ideas and stories. As an Introvert, I do tend to work better when I am in a quiet environment and am not worried about how my decisions will affect others. Personally, in order to write well, I need a topic that I find engaging. For the school newspaper, I have to choose articles that I am genuinely interested in, otherwise it is just not that good. I tend to choose book reviews, movie reviews, and articles about the royal family. (I love England way more than is necessary.) I pour a lot of myself into my writing, so it is extremely important to me that people like my writing, particularly my friends and family. I read somewhere that authors put a little bit of themselves into every character that they write; I know that is definitely true for me. Due to this, I get personally offended if someone dislikes my writing. I get defensive even when someone just corrects a grammar mistake. However, one thing that did not correlate with my writing style is that Introverts do an outline before writing. Sometimes I write an outline, but that is mostly when I am forced to. I would love to be able to outline my ideas and have a plan for where a plot-line is going, but I just have trouble doing that. I will get an idea for the middle, or I will know how I want it to end up, but everything in between is pretty much made up as I write. As a Judging type, I “like to take charge of the outer world in a planful and orderly way” (DiTiberio and Jensen, pg. 25). I definitely start my project as soon as it is assigned. However, sometimes I procrastinate. I hate it when I do, but not everyone is fully motivated one hundred percent of the time. Either way, I always manage to finish my work in time. According to Paul D. Tieger and Barbara Barron-Tieger, INFJs are independent, original thinkers with strong feelings who trust their own ideas and decisions. We are loyal, committed, and idealistic. Our strengths include bringing out the best in others, excelling at resolving conflicts, and are charismatic and accepting. Our potential weaknesses include making decisions based on our own likes and dislikes, staying detached, being practical, moody, unpredictable, and overemotional. As Ernest Hemingway once said, “The best people possess a feeling for beauty, the courage to take risks, the discipline to tell the truth, the capacity for sacrifice. Ironically, their virtues make them vulnerable: they are often wounded, sometimes destroyed.” I have always felt more connected to everything than most people. I feel things deeper. I give everything I do my all. I pride myself on my imagination and my organizational skills; I am always worried about how someone might feel about something, and I would much rather read a book than interact with people. Some people may not think that these traits are that important, or that they mean anything at all. To me, though, these traits are everything. They make up who I am. Who would I be if I was not an INFJ? How would I be different? I do not know, and I do not want to know. I love who I am. While it may be hard sometimes, while I may not have the relationships I want with people, while I may wish I did not get so attached to certain things, I would not trade who I am for the world. What does it mean to be an INFJ? I am sure there are a million different answers, but for me, being an INFJ means being me because that is who I am. |
BellaBSU student
Musical fanatic Lover of books and all things cake-related Archives
April 2018
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