“Your Invited” said the card on the table when I came home. The internal hue and cry that I pitched (and, sadly, a bit of an external hue and cry as well) was amazing – who made the invitation, why didn’t they check that, yada, yada, yada. A great example of not seeing the forest for the trees. I don’t share this embarrassment as a discussion of my besetting sins, or as a comment on how amazing the sacrament of Confession is (although both are true) but to discuss the results of my Myers-Briggs test, discussed by Gina recently.

Extraverted 26% Introverted74%
Sensing 95% Intuition 5%
Thinking 47% Feeling 53%
Judging 63% Perceiving 37%

ISFJs 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 ISFJs find more than enough with which to occupy themselves within the framework of a normal life."

The part about judging (63%) is stated as such:

Judging (J)

Judging is the preference outwardly displayed. Judging does not mean "judgmental". Judging people like order, organization and think sequentially. They like to have things planned and settled. Judging people seek closure.

Judging Characteristics
• Decisive
• Controlled
• Good at finishing
• Organized
• Structured
• Scheduled
• Quick at tasks
• Responsible
• Likes closure
• Makes plans


While I can definitely see that in my personality as well, I can see a strong streak of judgmentalism as well. And, as I definitely agree with the rich inner world (probably partly because of my high sensing score) mentioned, I do have this conversation in my head “step back, don’t rush to judgment, and see more of the situation”. Eddie often reminds me that people have a hard time overcoming my initial snap-judgment of them. It must be more amusing externally. Unlike Gina and her love, I don’t know what Eddie is, but I’d suspect he is more perceiving than I.

ISFJs have a rich inner world that is not usually obvious to observers. They constantly take in information about people and situations that is personally important to them, and store it away. This tremendous store of information is usually startlingly accurate, because the ISFJ has an exceptional memory about things that are important to their value systems. It would not be uncommon for the ISFJ to remember a particular facial expression or conversation in precise detail years after..."

One thing that I was fascinated with was that both Gina and Laura mentioned that they have been in situations where they have changed their types a bit (college, early motherhood). I wonder if there is an arc that we take over our lives of moving across the lines as we compile information and experiences.

Another thing I thought was neat was that FDR commented that he didn’t see me as an Introvert. I have to admit, if I were to be asked, I’d put myself pretty much in the middle – I do find that I enjoy solitude, and I think that my strong preference for reading makes me seek out a quiet spot a lot, but I also am very chatty, and talk to people I meet along the way – at coffee hour, at the office, in lines at the grocery store, in social situations. A friend of mine once mentioned that you can tell a true “I” by the fact that they come home exhausted from a cocktail party, which I do not. So, I wonder how that skews so?

I look forward to thoughts on this topic, as I find it endlessly fascinating.