#he is the charismatic kind and compassionate type of leader they would want to believe and follow

[fangsandfeels]

Playing Veilguard and making it everyone's problem

I am going to rant, and I will rant a lot, and there will be spoilers, so if you're not afraid of them and the game criticism, buckle up.

Elves and their gods

I am absolutely fucking livid about how Veilguard handles the Dalish and elves in general. The events of Trespasser made it clear that the elves started flocking over to Solas, including the elves working for the Inquisition:

After the events at the Winter Palace, elves left the Inquisition under mysterious circumstances, as did elven servants across Thedas. None could say where they went, but those who believed the Inquisitor's story about Fen'Harel wondered just how large the Dread Wolf's forces were... and what the ancient elven rebel had planned.

Solas had multiple spies working for him during Trespasser, and If I remember correctly, there was even a note, left by one of the elves - they were anticipating the great change and the return of the elven glory. Anyways, the established fact is that: elves learned that the stories about their gods were true and one of them now was going to restore the world as it used to be. At least, this is how they interpreted it (maybe, this is the version Solas didn't debunk) and so they started following him.

You might think, the Inquisitor and their allies are going to have a huge problem with breaking it to elves that their chosen leader isn't going to make things better and that their gods don't love them. Especially, if the Inquisitor is a human or anyone who isn't an elf. You'd imagine any attempts will end in failure because of course elves aren't going to listen to outsiders trying to explain their own culture and gods to them. You'd imagine that their trauma caused by centuries of oppression and discrimination will make it impossible for the Inquisitor and anyone else to make them see the truth.

You'd assume anyone who tries to find and stop Solas will be sabotaged every step of the way, feeling themselves horrible for having to clash with people desperate for a chance of a life without injustice - even if it means burning the rest of the world down.

You'd imagine that they will only change their mind if/when they see the harm done by Solas' actions and get to witness their gods true intentions by themselves - which would lead to a massive crisis of faith and schisms happening between elven tribes and groups.

You'd imagine will get all this incredible drama in the Veilguard, with elves initially resisting the group's attempts to stop Solas, then trying to pull themselves together after the revelation. You'd assume there will be zealous groups doubting Solas (because the Dreadwolf is a liar and a deceiver) and intending to use him to actually free the elven gods. You'd think this is how actually some of them get out.

But, NOPE. Not only Solas ends up working alone, with none of his followers throwing themselves at Rook and the party to buy him time, but also all elves now hate Solas because...Varric said so?

You meet a group of Veil Jumpers (elves devoted to exploring their ancient culture and history, learning more about their gods and reclaiming their heritage) and their leader instantly calls Solas an asshole. Based on WHAT?

I get it, Varric had met them before and told them that Solas was Fen'Harel...

(needless to say if you expect players to find and read other media in order to make sense of the events in the game, you are doing something wrong)

...but why were they so fucking calm about it, instantly eating up the "yep, he's bad" version? Even if the Dread Wolf is vilified in the Dalish mythology, wouldn't they be curious about what that means? Wouldn't they have gotten tempted or excited by the implication that other gods exist too? They weren't told the full story - why the fuck did they instantly accept the "Solas is an asshole" narrative? Especially when Solas comes with a promise of a world for the elves like it was meant to be?

WHY?

The Veilguard has no response for that. I guess, Dalish never cared about their history and traditions, and city elves were dandy about Alienages and oppression, so they easily believed some randos over a literal god promising a new, better world.

I don't even play Dalish, but I love their plotline and arcs - and I was bracing myself for some downright painful choices and conflicts during the next Dragon Age. But it felt like the writers couldn't be bothered with developing such a nuanced narrative, so they just waved it all down with "Nah, elves are chill now and they never really cared about their gods in the first place".

[ironforgedrp]

♛   AELYN FLORENT

↳ details; female, 25, born on the twelfth day of the sixth month on 481 AC. ↳ status; heterosexual, betrothed, no children. ↳ faceclaim; synnove karlsen. ↳ hails from; the arbor, brightwater keep, the reach. ↳ loyalty; house redwyne, house tyrell.

↳ position/title; eldest daughter of lord florent, ward of house redwyne. ↳ religion; faith of the seven. ↳ magical ability; none. ↳ spoken languages; common tongue. ↳ reason for being in sunspear; to meet her betrothed, prince cedric tyrell.

♛   PERSONALITY

↳ type; enfj-a (protagonist). ↳ alignment; lawful good. ↳ star sign; gemini. ↳ positives; caring, charismatic, altruistic, social, intelligent, adaptable. ↳ negatives; overly idealistic, too selfless, sensitive, indecisive, impulsive, moody.

♛  BIOGRAPHY

↳ family lineage.

Daughter of Lady Arwyn Redwyne and Lord Kivan Florent of Brightwater Keep, Aelyn was born into House Redwyne and Florent, though the circumstances of her birth and early life were rather unfortunate. Her mother, Lady Arwyn Redwyne, the second-born child of House Redwyne and had spent her life being loved and dotted on. When the time came, the beautiful young woman was sent to Brightwater Keep in order to marry the Lord of House Florent, Kivan Florent. Lady Arwyn soon fell pregnant, though everyone’s joy was shorted lived, much like her own as she merely got a chance to hold her baby girl. The new mother caught an infection during childbirth and lost her battle with it after two weeks, leaving the baby girl in the sole care of her father and his family. The Florent family, however, was greatly displeased by the fact that they were given a sickly, weak bride who also gave them a girl instead of an heir. For Aelyn that had consequences; since she was a baby, Aelyn was treated not as a child of Lord Florent, but as an unwanted guest in their home, both by her father and his close family. As a baby, she was raised by her septa, the family had little to no involvement. Soon after her mother’s death, her father remarried and his new wife fell pregnant in a short time after the marriage. As the baby girl was growing older, it was becoming apparent that her father’s new bride did not want her, nor would she allow her to play with her own children. Aelyn was often kept away from her half-siblings or wasn’t allowed to have meals with the rest of the family at all. She often found herself busy with reading, practicing the high harp, dances, and when she could sneak away, she would play with the children of the servants and guards that were around her age. However, her step-mother was a strict woman and would often keep her isolated in her rooms, especially around guests, so none would see the embarrassment of the house. Aelyn felt completely alone and she found solitude in her books when her father and his wife wouldn’t allow her to practice any musical instruments or dances, simply keeping her in her rooms.

She had just turned seven years old when she heard that word had arrived that asked of her to be sent to her mother’s home as a ward. Overhearing the conversation between her father and his family made her almost leap with joy. Even though she was not quite certain of what all that meant, she was simply ecstatic that someone was asking after her, someone wanted her. Not long after, she was all packed up and boarded a ship to travel to the Arbor, her mother’s home, where she would eventually meet her uncle. Clinging to the railings, she watched as the waves rolled by, crashing against the ship, anticipating the time of her arrival. Her time at the Arbor was much like the child had dreamed of since her uncle’s letter arrived; she felt loved and valued, she was cared for, she no longer felt like they were ashamed of her, trying to hide her or wishing to send her away. Her care was trusted to a septa and her mother’s younger sister, and she was brought up learning all kinds of skills, including dances and the high harp she so loved. As the years passed, Aelyn was getting more involved in religious practices, as well as spending her time volunteering in many ways in order to help the less fortunate. Her life was full of love and meaning now, and she was growing to learn more and more about the struggles common people faced in their daily lives. The freedom and happiness she was surrounded by was threatened when her father sent word to her uncle demanding she returns to Brightwater Keep in order to be betrothed and secure the family an alliance. The news devastated her, though she obediently awaited as everything was packed and ready for her departure. Her uncle, Garland Redwyne ordered her trip to be postponed and she hoped and prayed that he had a plan that would not require her to return to those awful people she wished not to acknowledge as her family. News soon arrived naming her uncle Master of War and Ships and her betrothed to the King’s younger brother, Prince Cedric Tyrell.

Aelyn was not displeased if anything she had faith and trust in her uncle’s decision. House Tyrell was a House she had grown fond of through the tellings of her family, reading of their story and achievements. A just and peaceful House, in her opinion. That match secured her, though she was certain her father must not be very pleased with not being the one to make the decision; she regarded her uncle more of a paternal figure than her biological father. Regardless of the opinion of House Florent on the matter, that allowed her to spend more time doing what she loved more, whilst still surrounded by her family; writing and reading. Her love for books had grown as she grew older. Spending a lot of time in town, and a lot of it in the library or the local bookshop. In all actuality, the bookshop held a familiarity to her since it was the first place she visited at the Arbor and a place she frequented; books had been her getaway when she was living in Brightwater Keep and this place offered a certainty. Aelyn befriended the old gentleman, often helping him out in the store. However, wanting to truly feel free and nobody to know her, really, she dressed in commoner clothing when visiting the store, not wishing to be offered any special treatment because of the status and name. She quickly became friends with the older man, so much so he treated her more like a daughter. It was one of those times when he confided in her about how stressed he was regarding the raise of taxes again. A fact that she confirmed was not a lone case; she knew many common people, and she spoke to most of them pretending to struggle herself, finding out they all faced similar problems. It was an awakening call. The young girl felt obligated to help, however, in reality, she held no real power over such matters, so she turned to what she knew best, wishing it would end up helping her friend, and all those who struggled financially or otherwise. She started writing her own pieces, mainly political ones, persuading the people to demand more rights or the leaders to be more compassionate towards their subjects. Her writings were focusing on a fairer taxing system based on one’s income rather than their status. Many struggled with feeding their families, too, and Aelyn wrote about all these hoping for the best. Using the printing press in the bookshop, she printed pamphlets and discretely put them in the baskets along with other pamphlets which she knew would be distributed around town by young delivery boys. Later on she wrote in order to be supportive of King Emeric on his opinion to separate from the Iron Throne. All of her pieces were published and signed under the name “Themis”, a name most would think to be male, and that enabled her to secure them being published as well as taken into consideration; it also served as to withhold her anonymity, not risking her family’s name for her, sometimes, controversial opinions.

Recently she traveled to Sunspear in order to meet her betrothed, determined to secure this alliance. She arrived a little late for the celebrations, though she was a little pleased she was not present at the attack during the Sun God and Goddess announcements.

↳ personality.

Aelyn is generally a people’s person; she is easy to talk to and communicate, she loves meeting new people and adapts in conversation and personalities very easily. She has a charm that draws people in and is never afraid to speak her mind with carefully placed words. She cares deeply for people and it is easy to win her over, which makes her too selfless sometimes to the point where she will bury her own needs in order to aid someone else, which can be taken advantage of. Overall she dreams of a better, fairer world where everyone has a chance, sometimes makes her too idealistic in her beliefs and writings. Her sensitive nature makes her more compassionate towards people in general, even when one does not deserve her kindness. Despite being pretty certain with what she wants in general when it comes to actually making a decision, she can be indecisive and impulsive in her judgment and actions. You can usually find Aelyn being happy and sweet, but she is also moody, her mood fluctuates easily, and often when something goes bad it can ruin her whole day, which also makes her a little bit dramatic.

↳ the splitting of the kingdoms.

It is her first time away from home and she is equally excited and terrified to be going to a new place, especially to meet a man who she is betrothed to. She, of course, has read a lot about Dorne and she wants to experience the life there, though the reason why she is coming to Dorne, aside from meeting Prince Cedric Tyrell, is more complex. She is supportive of King Emeric Tyrell with every fibre of her being, and she has a lot of faith in him as a ruler, hence why she personally feels it was a right decision to separate from the Iron Throne. However, what highly concerns her is the uncertainty regarding the dynamics between the more recently formed Kingdoms and how everything will work out. She does believe the Iron Throne King and Queen have always had good intentions and best interest, but her loyalty has always been to House Tyrell and her mother’s house, House Redwyne. The latest news regarding the attack immediately filled her with worries about what will come next and whether this summit will do more harm than good. However, she tries to be generally optimistic and also showcase her support towards her home and King.

    ♛    STATUS:  TAKEN

[askauradonprep]

Descendants Book Read Along - Isle of the Lost. Prologue.

Let’s get the read along started! 

Okay, we’re looking at the first one Isle of the Lost by Melissa de la Cruz. This isn't really supposed to be serious literary analysis or anything of that nature. It’s just notes and commentary as I read through the book. I don’t really have a set number of pages or chapters to do, so I’ll just stop when I’ve had enough or other commitments come up.

- First thing is first - Melissa, you can write it as many times as you want, you will never convince me the rest of the Isle sees Maleficent as some sort of undisputed queen. The rest of the villains are too arrogant, too stubborn, and hold way too much of a grudge. I refuse to believe that if she got too annoying to deal with that someone like Gaston or Hook wouldn’t have just shot her or someone else would have stabbed her. It’s not like that wouldn’t work like with Hades - she’s mortal, she can die, she DID die. HOWEVER, this book says Maleficent is the ‘self proclaimed’ ruler of the Isle and she barely pays attention to her self proclaimed ‘subjects’. I can ABSOLUTELY believe that. She would definitely claim she was the Queen and would definitely take over a good chunk of the Isle as her direct territory. And yeah, her not paying attention to them because they’re not doing things evil enough for her and haven’t learned to deal without magic yet I can believe.

- Why HAVEN’T they adjusted yet though? Like, people like Jafar, Grimhilde, and Mad Madame Mim I can get, but they aren’t the only ones there. Heck, I can even believe Hook is having a hard time due to suddenly aging again. People like Cruella, Helga Sinclair, Frollo, and Gaston though? They’ve never had magic a day in their lives. MOST of the henchmen don’t either. So why is this society struggling so much without magic? Also, if ‘they’re not used to living without magic’ is given as the main reason for why the Isle is in poverty and ruin as opposed to ‘the Auradonians are not giving them proper supplies’ (which they don’t)? I will flip a table. That would be some grade A victim blaming right there.

- Okay, so the Isle is not where EVERY criminal goes. It’s a ‘worst of the worst’ type deal. That’s not really better (humane prison conditions should be MANDATORY) but it’s not that every single pickpocket and petty criminal is being shipped there, thank GOODNESS. I imagine most of the henchmen were charged as accessories to their bosses more major crimes. 

- ...Dude, in the Disney version, Aurora was out for like a day at most. It was meant to be a hundred years at maximum, but Philip rescued her quickly (NO THANKS TO MALEFICENT. She did not put a coma spell on Aurora, she cursed her to DIE). Snow White was out for a few months though, the poor girl. And in Charming’s defence, the Duke found Cinderella the next day. So, yeah, ‘exiled forever’ is considerably longer.

- This book got very close to an angry rant. It says the villains are indeed blaming their lack of magic for their poverty. I only refrain because these villains were specifically the magical ones. Those people probably WOULD have extra struggles due to relying on magic. And yes, I can believe that lack of magic would be A factor (though not THE factor) in why some are having a hard time. And yes, I can see villains wanting to blame their lack of power on a lack of magic rather than admit even THEY can’t win in a scenario so heavily stacked against them by Auradon sending them things that didn’t sell or left overs. 

- HOWEVER - it says they can’t lie and manipulate their way into dominance anymore without their magic. Why not? That charisma and manipulative cunning isn’t gone. I can understand them FEELING that way, but it says they cannot do it without their powers. That’s...that’s just not true. Okay, fine, for Jafar, maybe. But people like Yzma used all sorts of other tricks to get their way. Just...what.

- So, birthday parties do happen but an Isle wide celebration is ‘one of a kind’. Neat. 

- Evie’s birthday has candles and ghostly lanterns so my head canon is she was born on Halloween (or close to it). 

- Of course Grimhilde uses the party as a way to show off her power and (relative) wealth to the Isle. I mean, would it be the Isle if there wasn’t another reason?

- Evie is so sweet and adorable even the adults are enjoying it. I mean, I don’t think they’d hesitate if she or her mother were in her way, but I think they’d feel the tiniest bit bad about it. Evie is the best, I think we can all agree. And yes, absolutely, Grimhilde is raising her as a princess. Titles are kinda meaningless on the Isle, but she’s DOING IT ANYWAY. Also - the word used is ‘entrancing’. I’m imagining Grimhilde, knowing they don’t have magic, training little Evie to use her charisma and adorableness to make people like her and therefore do what she wants. A ‘honey > vinegar’ style manipulation. 

- Iago seems to be fixating on old stories until he annoys the villains. This furthers my head canon that he’s not actually losing his ability to speak and his human-esque thought process. He’s doing this on PURPOSE out of spite to make the villains lives harder because he’s resentful he’s stuck here after all the good he did with Aladdin. 

- Also the apples used to make the cake have worms, excuse me while I vomit.

- “Baddie bags” of course. Just..of course. 

- Again the hyenas are sentient, HOW is Evie giving their children away as pets.

- I was right! Gothel, the Tremaines, Jafar, etc. ARE role models for Isle children! I love it!

- Facilier put on a ‘highly inappropriate shadow puppet show’ of course he did. These people have no sense of what’s appropriate for children, why am I not shocked?

- Okay, Gaston’s twins are older than Evie (and it sounds like she’s crushing on them it’s really cute)

- Maleficent hates parties. Geez, she really IS queen of the grudges, even if not the Queen of the Isle. And yes, Evie and Grimhilde are punished for spiting Mal. 

- Sorry, Mal, but MERRYWEATHER put Aurora’s kingdom to sleep (IIRC) so Aurora wouldn’t live past them all. Although, I’d say Frollo, Zira, and Gaston all did worse things than your mother - at least in their movies. 

- “Their leader” I’m letting this go since this is Mal’s POV. Of course she feels that way. And you know what? Maleficent IS a powerful, cunning, charismatic villain who DOES have a bad temper and is rather scary. That, the coincidental thunderstorm, and her very bulky and frightening henchmen showing up to scatter the party and yes, I’d definitely believe they ran. And yes, I can even believe that with her powerful soldiers, that Grimhilde and Evie could be put on lockdown for upsetting her. I mean, the others LIKE Evie but they don’t like her enough to risk annoying a power player on the Isle and rescuing someone = heroic = a no no.

- I like how ‘or else’ is all Maleficent can threaten them with. “Or else” WHAT exactly? I mean, sure, she had her guards, but they’re not exactly the most LOYAL henchmen. And Maleficent has no magic. I’m starting to believe a lot of Maleficent’s ‘authority’ is just her blustering and yelling and intimidating people so well they forget she has no magic or ACTUAL authority to really do anything to them or enforce her rules past what her goblins are willing to do. She doesn’t even own a weapon herself!

- “Her misery had caused such maleficence’ I am getting confirmation that Mal’s ‘worst kid on the Isle’ stuff is just the other kids not bothering her because otherwise she’ll go cry to mommy I am LIVING. YOU did jack all Mal. Maleficent scared a couple people and told Grimhilde to scram and not come back (or she’d sic her goblins on them I guess). You weren’t actually evil either. You just told your mom you were sad and started sniffling because you weren’t invited to a birthday party. 

- I AM getting a head canon though that part of the reason Evie’s not mad about being locked up so long isn’t just a forgiving and compassionate nature (which she does have, to a point) but it’s also because LOTS of fairytale princesses get locked away in towers by witches, and Evie is DEFINITELY a fairytale princess, isn’t this normal? 

[ofsalvo-a-blog]

*     PERSONALITY TESTS     !

tagged by:     @antialibi my precious   !   thank u <3 tagging:    anyone who wants to honestly   ,   i don’t want people to feel excluded   !

ZODIAC  SIGN:     taurus.               ruled by the persistent and plodding bull, taurus energy has two speeds.   it’s either relaxed and contented (   like a steer luxuriating in a verdant pasture   ) or hyped-up and ready to charge.   (   toro, toro   !   ) this zodiac sign has a built-in energy conservation program.   it will patiently assess whether something is worth the investment of time and resources.   then if the green light flashes,    it’s all systems go   !  until then,   slow and steady wins the taurus race.   this sign encourages us to break our work into simple steps then take daily action.   taurus is the sign of the builder,   helping us create concrete results for our diligent efforts.   under the influence of a taurus planetary transit,   we roll up our sleeves and get the job done.   the positive essence of taurus energy shows up as patient,   organized,   supportive,   romantic,   careful,   and dedicated.   on the flipside,   taurus energy can also be overindulgent,   stubborn,   lazy,   vain,   tightfisted and too cautious.   routine-loving taurus can get us stuck in our comfort zones and habits.   make sure that consistency doesn’t turn into stagnation or inertia.

MYERS - BRIGGS:     enfp,   the campainer.                     The enfp personality is a true free spirit.   they are often the life of the party,   but unlike explorers,   they are less interested in the sheer excitement and pleasure of the moment than they are in enjoying the social and emotional connections they make with others.   charming,   independent,   energetic and compassionate,   the 7% of the population that they comprise can certainly be felt in any crowd.

enfps are fiercely independent,   and much more than stability and security,   they crave creativity and freedom.

more than just sociable people-pleasers though, enfps, like all their diplomat cousins,   are shaped by their intuitive (   n   ) quality,   allowing them to read between the lines with curiosity and energy.   they tend to see life as a big,   complex puzzle where everything is connected – but unlike analysts,   who tend to see that puzzle as a series of systemic machinations, enfps see it through a prism of emotion,   compassion and mysticism,   and are always looking for a deeper meaning.

FOUR  TEMPERAMENTS:     sanguine.                 fundamentally  spontaneous and pleasure-seeking,   sanguine people are sociable and charismatic.    they tend to enjoy social gatherings,   making new friends,   and tend to be boisterous.     they are usually quite creative and often daydream.     however,   some alone time is crucial for those of this temperament.     sanguine can also mean sensitive,   compassionate,  and thoughtful.     sanguine personalities generally  struggle with following tasks all the way through,   are chronically late,   and tend to be  forgetful and sometimes a little sarcastic.     often,   when they pursue a new hobby,   they lose interest as soon as it  ceases to be engaging or fun.     they are very much  people persons.     they are talkative and not shy.     sanguines generally have an almost  shameless nature,   certain that what they are doing is right.     they have no lack of confidence.

CELTIC  ZODIAC:     hawthorn,   the illusionist.                       hawthorn signs in Celtic tree astrology  are not at all what they appear to be.     outwardly,   they appear to be a certain persona,   while on the  inside  hawthorn’s are quite different.     they put the term   “ never judge a book by its cover ”   to the test.     they live  seemingly average lives while on the inside they carry  fiery passions and inexhaustible creative flame.     they are  well adjusted and can  adapt to most life situations well     –     making themselves content and  comforting others at the same time.     you are  naturally curious,   and have an interest in a broad range of topics.     you are an excellent listener,   and people seek you out as an outlet to release their burdens.     you have a healthy  sense of humour,   and have a clear understanding of irony.     you tend to see the big picture,   and have amazing insight    –     although you typically won’t give yourself enough credit for your observations.

SOUL  TYPE:     leader and spiritualist.                         leader   :    it would be hard to imagine you being anything but the leader in any group.   in fact,   taking any kind of subservient role may feel demeaning to you.   as a leader type,   you have a natural air of authority,   and a charisma that makes you stand out in a crowd.   (   think how out of place elvis might have appeared if he’d stood in the background playing saxophone instead of being the front man.   )   you bring to this life an innate wisdom,   which is why people will look to you for advice.  you may sometimes make decisions on your own without thinking to involve others,   and once you’ve made up your mind,   you may be reluctant to change it.   this may work in an emergency,    but in other circumstances,   it can give the impression that you are arrogant or condescending.  it can be hard to find good role models,    given the scarcity of leader types,   but you can always refer to history to see how individuals such as alexander the great and john f. kennedy used their leadership skills.   not every leader becomes a president,   of course,   and many end up in humbler circumstances.   you can always recognize leaders by their inner confidence and occasionally by their coterie of followers or assistants.

spiritualist   :   what unites spiritualists is a deeply held belief in a world beyond this one.   you will have a desire to express your spirituality in some way,   and may be drawn to religion or other spiritual practices.   many spiritualists are highly intuitive,   which is why you may have had psychic experiences in the past and why you will tend to use your sixth sense when it comes to decisionmaking.   you have a great deal of compassion and may feel a strong need to create a better world,   or to help people make the best of their lives.   charities and   nonprofits are places where you and other spiritualists can express your soul’s desire to help others.   whatever work you choose,   you must feel you have a higher purpose.   it is not enough for a spiritualist type to simply pick up a check at the end of the week.   there has to be a feeling that someone has benefited from your efforts.   that’s why many doctors and healers are spiritualists.   whether you know it or not,   you frequently inspire others through your behavior.   by expressing spiritualist values such as compassion,   fairness,   honesty and altruism,   you encourage others to live by these values—especially younger spiritualists who will wish to emulate you.

ALIGNMENT:     chaotic good.                   a chaotic good character acts as his conscience directs him with little regard for what others expect of him.   he makes his own way,   but he's kind and benevolent.   he believes in goodness and right but has little use for laws and regulations.   he hates it when people try to intimidate others and tell them what to do.   he follows his own moral compass,   which,   although good,   may not agree with that of society.   chaotic good is the best alignment you can be because it combines a good heart with a free spirit.   chaotic good can be a dangerous alignment when it disrupts the order of society and punishes those who do well for themselves.

DARK  TRIAD:      machiavellianism.               machiavellianism is a tendency to be  manipulative and deceitful.     it usually stems from a lack of respect or disillusionment for others.     

THE ANIMAL IN YOU:     wolf.                          the rugged wolf is athletic,   good-looking and brimming with self-confidence.   a close relative of the domestic dog,   it is stronger and more aggressive,   managing to generate notoriety wherever it marks its territory.   the wolf's dark reputation is mainly due to jealousy of its consistent success in work and romance.   a wolf in full stride is quite impressive.   firing orders at subordinates while on the phone to customers,   no one can get the job done quite as efficiently as the wolf.   with an innate understanding of the value of teamwork,   it's always ready to take its place in the chain of command either as leader or as simply a member of the pack.   when a wolf decides to innovate,   it makes sure that it has the backing of a capable team.   the wolf is clear-headed and strong-minded,   always willing to compromise in the interests of getting a job done.   wolves are facially expressive and readily communicate their emotional states with body language.   they work hard at developing their social relationships,   although unlike their cousin the dog they are quick to anger when they sense threats to the social order.   when confrontations occurs,   they sometimes react suddenly and violently,   barking displeasure at offending subordinates.   close companions know to avoid their biting tongue until they resume their normal gregarious behavior.

ROSENBERG  SELF  ESTEEM  SCALE:      0    |    1    |    2    |    3    |    4    |    5    |    6    |    7    |    8    |    9    |    10    |    11    |    12    |    13    |  14  |    15    |    16    |    17    |    18    |    19    |    20    |    21    |    22    |    23    |    24    |    25    |    26    |    27    |    28    |    29    |    30

BRAIN  LATERALIZATION  TEST:     right,   66%.                       right brain dominant individuals are more visual and intuitive.     they are better at summarizing multiple points,   picking up on what’s not said,   visualizing things,   and  making things up.      they can lack attention to detail,   directness,   organization,   and the ability to explain their ideas verbally,   leaving them unable to communicate effectively.

[rosebudburned]

Fuck the millennial church

I saw one of those "Why are millennials leaving the church?" articles on my Facebook feed again (because that's what you get for having spent your past life in Christian communities) and so felt compelled to offer my dime (yes, a whole DIME) on the matter. Not that my thoughts and feelings *actually* matter, as they haven't really mattered in any millennial-based Christian community for YEARS, but as all my Tumblr writings go, this is actually just free therapy for me.

Sure, yes, millennials are leaving the church for all the reasons that Relevant Magazine (aka the Christian Thought Catalog) have probably listed in their archives: the antiquated values, lack of political, social, and cultural progressiveness, cliquey-ness, lack of a social justice message in trying times, and so on. Those are all good and real reasons, and the church can certainly improve on all of them.

But the problem with all these articles is that they are written by people who are happily Christian. The only people who think seriously about the topic of bringing more young people to church and are compelled to write Internet think pieces about it are the people who believe the church can improve a young person's life. And that may very well be true! Or, it could trigger a lifetime of psychological trauma. You just got to be lucky.

So many of the articles miss the point. And the point is, Christians who work with young people (in some capacity) and their millennial counterparts are the fucking worst. I'm sorry, but it just had to be said. Yes, I understand it's a generalization, but nearly all millennial Christians are at least six degrees away from this sad fact. The Millennial Christian Church Community is a horrifying, project-based landscape that glorifies hierarchy, reputation, and validation.

I was first introduced to this culture in high school via a church youth group. During junior year of high school, I was struggling academically and socially and felt depressed all the time (nothing changed, yay!), so my mom, after a pleasant conversation with the youth pastor, thought it'd be a good idea to get me plugged in. I joined the youth group, was not very social within the group (I *hate* church games), and got a few new Facebook friends.

That said, I did develop a personal relationship with the youth pastor. We'd hang out one-on-one and chat, and it was nice to talk to a person who was too young to be a parent but old enough to be an adult about my issues and ask a few of my spiritual questions. I really valued our friendship, so it was heartbreaking that, once I moved to Davis, I saw her post on our youth group's worship leader's Facebook wall that she was visiting Davis and wanted to hang out. For MONTHS, I kept trying to figure out why she didn't reach out to me. Did she forget that I also attended? Did she not like me as much? I think the definitive answer is that, at the end of the day, someone who was a high school youth group worship leader has so much more spiritual potential than the girl who barely said anything in youth group. I get it. Well, the last time I checked, he joined a fraternity and was smoking a joint in his Facebook profile picture. So much for the good ol' Christian discipleship. I know that sounded a bit vindictive, but I can't HELP but note that the guy was no longer the model Christian. Yes, I'm petty.

As time went on, the youth pastor and I did hang out whenever I was home. I tried not to take the incident so personally.  I volunteered at her church plant's summer retreat one year in college. When I became employed, her church plant was one of the first few organizations I wanted to tithe to. I believed in what she was doing. I was even invited to her wedding. I wanted to feel validated by her because it would have meant I was validated by someone I (and other people) deemed as spiritually significant.

A few months later, I texted her about all my silly relationship issues, which is well-documented on this blog. She called me. I cried for 20 minutes because I was so miserable. We talked. She invited me over to her new house and we had lunch with her new husband. She recommended that I read Joshua Harris's Boy Meets Girl and told me that she'll check in on me in three months. I bought the book off of Amazon and opened the book up to a page where the writer seemed to be slut shaming women*, so I didn't bother to read it.  She never checked in on me. I went on living a life that Joshua Harris would have undoubtedly slut shamed, but I went about that life in a much wiser fashion.

Months later now, it's her wedding anniversary. And somehow, she's found the time to post retrospectives on Facebook, but not, I don't know, shoot me a text and ask if I've read the book she told me she'd hold me accountable to read. THIS is the reason why I don't believe in the millennial church. It's full of false accountability for people they don't mind falling through the cracks. It's a very "let me know" culture when you're not perceived as the next charismatic big thing. I am a fucking depressed human. Why would I ever want to reach out to you? Why would I even be charismatic? I often feel neglected. I want to be reached out to. I want people to initiate with me. I want people to give a shit about me. Sure, that's selfish, but it's like, I can't even get a text that takes about five seconds to compose, but all her Facebook followers get 50,000 posts about her one-year wedding anniversary.

Look, I'm sorry if I sound like an asshole. I know I was lucky that she picked up the phone when I texted, meaning that I had someone to talk to in a time of emotional crisis. But it sounded like she just happened to have some free time, and why not? I know I can call her, but that’s beside the point. And it’s funny, because most people who defend the actions of the Millennial Christian Church always end up telling you that all that really matters is God, BUT they also encourage you to be part of a Christian community. I tried the latter, and it sucked. For years, I've felt like I wasn't worth investing in as part of the Millennial Christian Church. I spent most of my college career in a Christian fellowship that didn't provide me any serious guidance or disciplining or anything that would have made me feel like I was part of a spiritually nutritious Christian community. I've honestly just felt ignored because I wasn’t worth the time. The Millennial Christian Church had a "type" (cheerful, charismatic, attention whoring), in the same way that all the guys in my freshman year dorm floor had a "type" (thin, white, blond). I wasn't their type, so it felt like the Millennial Christian Church just wanted me to fuck off.

So fuck off, I did.

*I have a low tolerance for white male writers who warn women that she shouldn't get ~intimate~ with guys and it's somehow the woman's fault if she gets hurt by the guy. The guy (or girl!) who hurt you is an asshole. That's all you need to believe in, and all you need to know. You're not dumb if someone hurt you. They are BAD PEOPLE and we need to STOP teaching young women (or young men!) that "they should've known better" or they are "too sensitive" or they "took things too seriously." That is all bullshit. If we continue blaming people who are hurt/got hurt for being hurt, we are creating an unempathetic space. I went through MONTHS believing that I was stupid, and people told me I was taking things too personally and that the people who ghosted me weren't actually bad people, but you know what: They ARE bad people. They are dishonest. They are hurtful. They caused me MONTHS of pain, and are causing me, what could be YEARS of depression-induced paranoia and anxiety. They could have been kind and compassionate, but they weren't.  They are bad people. They can go to hell. And yeah, I feel better for getting to a point in my life where I can say all of this. It makes me feel like I've forgiven myself.

[alabasti]

( x )

ZODIAC SIGN:   Aquarius

Sign Traits: Knowledge, Humanitarianism, Serious, Insightful, Duplicitous.

MYERS-BRIGGS:   ENFJ

ENFJs are natural-born leaders, full of passion and charisma. Forming around two percent of the population, they are oftentimes our politicians, our coaches and our teachers, reaching out and inspiring others to achieve and to do good in the world. With a natural confidence that begets influence, Protagonists take a great deal of pride and joy in guiding others to work together to improve themselves and their community.

Everything you do right now ripples outward and affects everyone. Your posture can shine your heart or transmit anxiety. Your breath can radiate love or muddy the room in depression. Your glance can awaken joy. Your words can inspire freedom. Your every act can open hearts and minds.

ENFJs are genuine, caring people who talk the talk and walk the walk, and nothing makes them happier than leading the charge, uniting and motivating their team with infectious enthusiasm.

People with the Protagonist personality type are passionate altruists, sometimes even to a fault, and they are unlikely to be afraid to take the slings and arrows while standing up for the people and ideas they believe in. It is no wonder that many famous Protagonists are cultural or political icons – this personality type wants to lead the way to a brighter future, whether it’s by leading a nation to prosperity, or leading their little league softball team to a hard-fought victory.

FOUR TEMPERAMENTS:   Sanguine

Your temperament is SANGUINE. The sanguine temperament is fundamentally spontaneous and pleasure-seeking; sanguine people are sociable and charismatic. They tend to enjoy social gatherings, making new friends and tend to be boisterous. They are usually quite creative and often daydream. However, some alone time is crucial for those of this temperament. Sanguine can also mean sensitive, compassionate and thoughtful. Sanguine personalities generally struggle with following tasks all the way through, are chronically late, and tend to be forgetful and sometimes a little sarcastic. Often, when they pursue a new hobby, they lose interest as soon as it ceases to be engaging or fun. They are very much people persons. They are talkative and not shy. Sanguines generally have an almost shameless nature, certain that what they are doing is right. They have no lack of confidence.

CELTIC ZODIAC:   Rowan - Thinker

Celtic tree astrology recognizes Rowan signs as the philosophical minds within the zodiac. If you were born under the Rowan energy, you are likely a keen-mindedvisionary, with high ideals. Your thoughts are original and creative, so much so, that other’s often misunderstand from where you are coming. This sometimes makes you aloof when interacting with others as you feel they wouldn’t understand where you are coming from anyway. Nevertheless, although you may appear to have a cool exterior, you are burning within from your passionate ideals. This inner passion provides inner motivation for you as you make your way through life. You have a natural ability to transform situations and people around you by your mere presence. You are highly influential in a quiet way and others look to you for your unique perspectives. Rowan pairs well with Ivy and Hawthorn signs.

SOUL TYPE:   Leader

It would be hard to imagine you being anything but the leader in any group. In fact, taking any kind of subservient role may feel demeaning to you. As a Leader type, you have a natural air of authority, and a charisma that makes you stand out in a crowd. (Think how out of place Elvis might have appeared if he’d stood in the background playing saxophone instead of being the front man.)

You bring to this life an innate wisdom, which is why people will look to you for advice. You may sometimes make decisions on your own without thinking to involve others, and once you’ve made up your mind, you may be reluctant to change it. This may work in an emergency, but in other circumstances it can give the impression that you are arrogant or condescending.

It can be hard to find good role models, given the scarcity of Leader types, but you can always refer to history to see how individuals such as Alexander the Great and John F. Kennedy used their leadership skills. Not every Leader becomes a president, of course, and many end up in humbler circumstances. You can always recognize Leaders by their inner confidence and occasionally by their coterie of followers or assistants.

HOGWARTS HOUSE:   Gryffindor

Congratulations! You have been sorted into Gryffindor, the house of bravery and chivalry.

ALIGNMENT:   Lawful Good

A lawful good character acts as a good person is expected or required to act. He combines a commitment to oppose evil with the discipline to fight relentlessly. He tells the truth, keeps his word, helps those in need, and speaks out against injustice. A lawful good character hates to see the guilty go unpunished. Lawful good is the best alignment you can be because it combines honor and compassion. However, lawful good can be a dangerous alignment when it restricts freedom and criminalizes self-interest.

DARK TRIAD:   Narcissism

Narcissism is an egotistical preoccupation with self. Because of all their experience with maintaining their self image, people who score high for narcissism will often appear charming but their narcissism will later lead to extreme difficulty in developing close relationships

THE ANIMAL IN YOU:   Wolf

Good looking Athletic Decisive Passionate Agressive

The rugged wolf is athletic, good-looking and brimming with self-confidence. A close relative of the domestic dog, it is stronger and more aggressive, managing to generate notoriety wherever it marks its territory. The wolf’s dark reputation is mainly due to jealousy of its consistent success in work and romance. A wolf in full stride is quite impressive. Firing orders at subordinates while on the phone to customers, no one can get the job done quite as efficiently as the wolf.

LIFE PATH NUMBER:   2

The key word in your nature is peacemaker.

The soul of a life path 2 is considered the soul of an artist. You are extremely sensitive, perceptive, and a bit shy. These qualities are both your strengths and weaknesses, for while you possess enormous sensitivity to your feelings and those of others, that same sensitivity can cause you to hold back and repress your considerable talents. Sensitivity and perceptiveness are among the many fine qualities of life path 2’s because they intuitively know what people want or feel, and can be extremely diplomatic and tactful. They are also patient and cooperative and tend to work well with groups and somehow find a way of creating harmony among diverse opinions.

ROSENBERG SELF-ESTEEM SCALE:   21

Your score is 21 / 30. Scores below 15 indicate low self esteem.

BRAIN LATERALIZATION TEST:   Right(62%) | Left (60%)

Left brain dominant individuals are more orderly, literal, articulate, and to the point. They are good at understanding directions and anything that is explicit and logical. They can have trouble comprehending emotions and abstract concepts, they can feel lost when things are not clear, doubting anything that is not stated and proven.

Right brain dominant individuals are more visual and intuitive. They are better at summarizing multiple points, picking up on what’s not said, visualizing things, and making things up. They can lack attention to detail, directness, organization, and the ability to explain their ideas verbally, leaving them unable to communicate effectively.

Overall you appear to have fairly Equal Hemispheres

[jaewvns-blog]

░ ° » STAR SIGN ; SAGITTARIUS ! 〉

sagittarius is a noticeably restless sign with a deep love of traveling and exploring. sagittarius people are open to anything new. this sign is all about expanding new dimensions of thought. they are perfectionists, but, just like their mascot the centaur, who aims his arrow into the emptiness, sagittarians may not always be sure what they are shooting at. their mission to find perfection in everything could potentially cause this sign some disappointment, so they need to learn to be more carefree and not judge themselves so critically. sagittarius’s positive attitude and natural curiosity help to keep them going, and they rarely give up. sagittarians are fiercely protective of their independence. many people of this sign marry later than average because they want to experience life to the fullest before settling down. when they do choose mr. or mrs. right, though, they are good partners who place great emphasis on the happiness and well-being of their significant other. but even if they never marry, they tend to have long relationships that are marked by joy and good times. 

░ ° » MBTI ; ENFP-T ! 〉

the campaigner personality is a true free spirit. they are often the life of the party, but unlike types in the explorer role group, campaigners are less interested in the sheer excitement and pleasure of the moment than they are in enjoying the social and emotional connections they make with others. charming, independent, energetic and compassionate, the 7% of the population that they comprise can certainly be felt in any crowd. more than just sociable people-pleasers though, campaigners, like all their diplomat cousins, are shaped by their intuitive (n) quality, allowing them to read between the lines with curiosity and energy. they tend to see life as a big, complex puzzle where everything is connected – but unlike analyst personality types, who tend to see that puzzle as a series of systemic machinations, campaigners see it through a prism of emotion, compassion and mysticism, and are always looking for a deeper meaning. many other types are likely to find these qualities irresistible, and if they’ve found a cause that sparks their imagination, campaigners will bring an energy that oftentimes thrusts them into the spotlight, held up by their peers as a leader and a guru – but this isn’t always where independence-loving campaigners want to be. worse still if they find themselves beset by the administrative tasks and routine maintenance that can accompany a leadership position. campaigners’ self-esteem is dependent on their ability to come up with original solutions, and they need to know that they have the freedom to be innovative – they can quickly lose patience or become dejected if they get trapped in a boring role.

░ ° » ENNEAGRAM ; TYPE 7 — THE ENTHUSIAST ! 〉

we have named this personality type the enthusiast because sevens are enthusiastic about almost everything that catches their attention. they approach life with curiosity, optimism, and a sense of adventure, like “kids in a candy store” who look at the world in wide-eyed, rapt anticipation of all the good things they are about to experience. they are bold and vivacious, pursuing what they want in life with a cheerful determination. they have a quality best described by the yiddish word “chutzpah”—a kind of brash “nerviness.” although sevens are in the thinking center, this is not immediately apparent because they tend to be extremely practical and engaged in a multitude of projects at any given time. their thinking is anticipatory: they foresee events and generate ideas “on the fly,” favoring activities that stimulate their minds—which in turn generate more things to do and think about. sevens are not necessarily intellectual or studious by any standard definition, although they are often intelligent and can be widely read and highly verbal. their minds move rapidly from one idea to the next, making sevens gifted at brainstorming and synthesizing information. sevens are exhilarated by the rush of ideas and by the pleasure of being spontaneous, preferring broad overviews and the excitement of the initial stages of the creative process to probing a single topic in depth.

░ ° » MORAL ALIGNMENT ; CHAOTIC NEUTRAL ! 〉

a chaotic neutral character follows his whims. he is an individualist first and last. he values his own liberty but doesn’t strive to protect others’ freedom. he avoids authority, resents restrictions, and challenges traditions. a chaotic neutral character does not intentionally disrupt organizations as part of a campaign of anarchy. to do so, he would have to be motivated either by good (and a desire to liberate others) or evil (and a desire to make those different from himself suffer). a chaotic neutral character may be unpredictable, but his behavior is not totally random. he is not as likely to jump off a bridge as to cross it. above respect for life and good, or disregard for life and promotion of evil, the chaotic neutral places randomness and disorder. good and evil are complimentary balance arms. neither are preferred, nor must either prevail, for ultimate chaos would then suffer. this view of the cosmos holds that absolute freedom is necessary. whether the individual exercising such freedom chooses to do good or evil is of no concern. after all, life itself is law and order, so death is a desirable end. therefore, life can only be justified as a tool by which order is combated, and in the end it too will pass into entropy. chaotic neutral characters believe that there is no order to anything, including their own actions. with this as a guiding principle, they tend to follow whatever whim strikes them at the moment. good and evil are irrelevant when making a decision. chaotic neutral characters are extremely difficult to deal with. such characters have been known to cheerfully and for no apparent purpose gamble away everything they have on the roll of a single die. they are almost totally unreliable. In fact, the only reliable thing about them is that they cannot be relied upon

░ ° » TEMPERAMENT ; SANGUINE ! 〉

the sanguine temperament is fundamentally spontaneous and pleasure-seeking; sanguine people are sociable and charismatic. they tend to enjoy social gatherings, making new friends and tend to be boisterous. they are usually quite creative and often daydream. however, some alone time is crucial for those of this temperament. sanguine can also mean sensitive, compassionate and thoughtful. sanguine personalities generally struggle with following tasks all the way through, are chronically late, and tend to be forgetful and sometimes a little sarcastic. often, when they pursue a new hobby, they lose interest as soon as it ceases to be engaging or fun. They are very much people persons. they are talkative and not shy. sanguines generally have an almost shameless nature, certain that what they are doing is right. they have no lack of confidence.

░ ° » HARRY POTTER HOUSE ; GRYFFINDOR ! 〉

the gryffindor house emphasizes the traits of courage as well as "daring, nerve, and chivalry," and thus its members are generally regarded as brave, though sometimes to the point of recklessness. they can also be short-tempered.

░ ° » AURA ; YELLOW ! 〉

if someone tells you your aura is yellow, then you're probably in a very good place emotionally and spiritually. a yellow aura means you're feeling a great deal of joy and freedom. if your aura is yellow, it can mean you are a generous person, and you find joy in sharing with others. if this is the case, yellow will continue to perpetuate itself as you spread love and hope to those you come in contact with. this in turn causes your own joy to become stronger and more stable.

[sungrcwn]

                    the farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn’t still be a farmer.                                                             ( will rogers )

NAME ETYMOLOGY

( christopher ) bearing christ. in the middle ages, a literal interpretation of the name’s etymology suggested ties to saint christopher, who carried a young jesus across a river. he has been regarded as the patron saint of travelers.  ( andrew ) manly, masculine. derived from the greek andreas.  ( haas ) from the german hase, meaning hare, hence a nickname for a swift runner or a timorous person, but is in some cases a habitational name from a house distinguished by a hare. 

ZODIAC

( birth date ) september 23 1991  ( astrological sign ) virgo-libra cusp ( chinese zodiac ) sheep 

MORAL ALIGNMENT

( neutral good ) creatures of neutral good alignment believe that there must be some regulation in combination with freedoms if the best is to be brought to the world--the most beneficial conditions for living things in general and intelligent creatures in particular. creatures of this alignments see the cosmos as a place where law and chaos are merely tools to use in bringing life, happiness, and prosperity to all deserving creatures. order is not good unless it brings this to all; neither is randomness and total freedom desirable if it does not bring such good. 

neutral goods value both personal freedom and adherence to laws. they feel that too many laws may unnecessarily restrict the freedom of good beings. they also believe that too much freedom may not protect society as a whole and encourage counterproductive divisions and in-fighting. they promote governments which hold broad powers, but do not interfere in the day-to-day lives of their citizens. 

these characters value life and freedom above all else, and despise those who would deprive others of them. neutral good characters sometimes find themselves forced to work beyond the law, yet for the law, and the greater good of the people. they are not vicious or vindictive, but are people driven to right injustice. neutral good characters always attempt to work within the law whenever possible, however. 

to a neutral good being, life and the assurance of other creatures' rights take precedence over all else. this is not to say that this character will have an aversion to taking another's life when faced with a choice between an attacker's and his own, however. neutral good beings also believe that law and chaos are merely tools to use in bringing life, prosperity, and happiness to all deserving creatures. neither numbers nor individual concerns have any bearing on decisions regarding the needs and rights of any given creature. In other words, in the view of a neutral good being, rarely will either the needs of the many or the personal desires of an individual outweigh the needs of any other creature. all life is given even-handed treatment. as with all alignments neutral with respect to law and chaos, self-reliance is a cornerstone of a neutral good being's personality. in a crunch, neutral good characters trust in themselves and in no other individual or group. this doesn't mean they can't make friends and develop trusting relationships with others, however. neutral good beings aren't normally as independent as chaotic good beings, and they can cooperate in groups. But they won't always trust a group to be more effective than they could be themselves. 

a neutral good character will keep his word to those who are not evil and will lie only to evil-doers. he will never attack an unarmed foe and will never harm an innocent. he will not use torture to extract information or for pleasure. he will never kill for pleasure, only in self-defense or in the defense of others. a neutral good character will never use poison. he will help those in need and works well alone or in a group. he responds well to higher authority until that authority attempts to use the law to hamper his ability to do good. he is trustful of organizations as long as they serve his utilitarian purpose. he will follow the law unless more good can come from breaking the law. he will never betray a family member, comrade, or friend. neutral good characters are indifferent to the concepts of self-discipline and honor, finding them useful only if they promote goodness.

MYERS-BRIGGS

( enfp-a: the campaigner ) the campaigner personality is a true free spirit. they are often the life of the party, but unlike types in the explorer role group, campaigners are less interested in the sheer excitement and pleasure of the moment than they are in enjoying the social and emotional connections they make with others. charming, independent, energetic and compassionate, the 7% of the population that they comprise can certainly be felt in any crowd. more than just sociable people-pleasers though, campaigners, like all their diplomat cousins, are shaped by their Intuitive (n) quality, allowing them to read between the lines with curiosity and energy. they tend to see life as a big, complex puzzle where everything is connected – but unlike analyst personality types, who tend to see that puzzle as a series of systemic machinations, campaigners see it through a prism of emotion, compassion and mysticism, and are always looking for a deeper meaning. 

campaigners are fiercely independent, and much more than stability and security, they crave creativity and freedom. many other types are likely to find these qualities irresistible, and if they’ve found a cause that sparks their imagination, campaigners will bring an energy that oftentimes thrusts them into the spotlight, held up by their peers as a leader and a guru – but this isn’t always where independence-loving campaigners want to be. worse still if they find themselves beset by the administrative tasks and routine maintenance that can accompany a leadership position. campaigners’ self-esteem is dependent on their ability to come up with original solutions, and they need to know that they have the freedom to be innovative – they can quickly lose patience or become dejected if they get trapped in a boring role. 

luckily, campaigners know how to relax, and they are perfectly capable of switching from a passionate, driven idealist in the workplace to that imaginative and enthusiastic free spirit on the dance floor, often with a suddenness that can surprise even their closest friends. being in the mix also gives them a chance to connect emotionally with others, giving them cherished insight into what motivates their friends and colleagues. they believe that everyone should take the time to recognize and express their feelings, and their empathy and sociability make that a natural conversation topic. the campaigner personality type needs to be careful, however – if they rely too much on their intuition, assume or anticipate too much about a friend’s motivations, they can misread the signals and frustrate plans that a more straightforward approach would have made simple. this kind of social stress is the bugbear that keeps harmony-focused Diplomats awake at night. 

campaigners are very emotional and sensitive, and when they step on someone’s toes, they both feel it. campaigners will spend a lot of time exploring social relationships, feelings and ideas before they find something that really rings true. but when they finally do find their place in the world, their imagination, empathy and courage are likely to produce incredible results.

ENNEAGRAM

( type nine: the peacemaker ) people of this personality type essentially feel a need for peace and harmony. they tend to avoid conflict at all costs, whether it be internal or interpersonal. as the potential for conflict in life is virtually ubiquitous, the nine's desire to avoid it generally results in some degree of withdrawal from life, and many nines are, in fact, introverted. other nines lead more active, social lives, but nevertheless remain to some to degree "checked out," or not fully involved, as if to insulate themselves from threats to their peace of mind. most nines are fairly easy going; they adopt a strategy of "going with the flow." they are generally reliable, sturdy, self-effacing, tolerant and likable individuals.

nines tend to adopt an optimistic approach to life; they are, for the most part, trusting people who see the best in others; they frequently have a deep seated faith that things will somehow work out. they desire to feel connected, both to other people and to the world at large. they frequently feel most at home in nature and generally make warm and attentive parents.

the nine's inability to tolerate conflict sometimes translates into an overall conservative approach to change. change can provoke unpleasant feelings and disrupt the nine's desire for comfort. less healthy nines seem incapable of motivating themselves to move into action and bring about effective change. when change does come however, as it generally will, nines find that they are usually well able to adapt. they tend to be more resilient than they give themselves credit for. in fact, nines tend not to give themselves enough credit in general, and their self-effacing attitude often seems to invite others to take them for granted or to overlook their often significant contributions. this can cause a subterranean anger to build inside the nine's psyche, which can erupt into consciousness in occasional fits of temper which quickly blow over, but which more often manifests itself in passive agressive footdragging. being overlooked is often a source of a deep sadness in nines, a sadness that they scarcely ever give voice to.

TEMPERAMENT

( sanguine ) the sanguine temperament is fundamentally spontaneous and pleasure-seeking; sanguine people are sociable and charismatic. yhey tend to enjoy social gatherings, making new friends and tend to be boisterous. yhey are usually quite creative and often daydream. however, some alone time is crucial for those of this temperament. sanguine can also mean sensitive, compassionate and thoughtful. sanguine personalities generally struggle with following tasks all the way through, are chronically late, and tend to be forgetful and sometimes a little sarcastic. often, when they pursue a new hobby, they lose interest as soon as it ceases to be engaging or fun. they are very much people persons. they are talkative and not shy. sanguines generally have an almost shameless nature, certain that what they are doing is right. they have no lack of confidence.