Shalom. Caught your comment on Beschloss and decided to see for myself. You are six months and seven days ahead of me. I was born an introvert, shamed out of it early. Guidance counselor at UC Berkeley tested me on Meyers Briggs and was told I was an extrovert but would become an introvert. Took me 20 years to reclaim my birth rite. I used to perform as the Birthday Princess in my 20s. I have AMOR FATI on my laptop from a dear friend's birthday card this last December 13th. Opposite this from the same card she also wrote, "May the year of the Snake and the 9 beat the best ever!" I was introduced to David Byrne in '88. I haven't seen what else you write but this piece caught my attention, all the way through! I lost a brother when he was 31 and I was 33. He was the deep one who encouraged me off the expected LEADERSHIP path which I'd carved early and which subsumed all other interests. He encouraged me to find my own path and not be pressured into positions that are not mine. He started communicating three weeks after he left and hasn't stopped. Nice to meet you here.
Much harder when we put other's needs before our own... giving ourself permission to focus on self is almost a dirty consideration to some. Of course, the balance is of all parts of us, and I suppose, by necessity, our extensions to others in our circle. If a certain part is never brought to the table or left behind as perhaps with the thought of it being a childhood phase, or a teenage transition, versus a core identity emanating from our core that is from womb to tomb. Allowing the voice of who we truly are is the first step. You did that with this piece, and bringing it to the smorgasbord of possibilities in the present moment.
I absolutely love the Talking Heads and David Byrne.
You also made me think about the personality type test. I did my personality type years ago – INFP – and I wondered what I would get this time as they say it doesn’t really change with age. But as I was answering the questions I knew it was leaning towards extrovert instead of introvert. And sure enough it came up ENFP. Maybe I’ve just learned to come a bit more out of my shell after all these years. I still love spending time alone, but I also love being around other people. At least some other people!
Part of the issue I had turning 60 recently was that I realized I had never imagined myself at this age, physically or otherwise. Gods I love the wisdom and the perspective. Lord I don't love the aches and pains. But if I have no preconceived notion about how this is supposed to go, I will just make it up as I go along, which is probably the whole point.
Happy almost D Day Birthday!
A Beautifully stated writing on the state of you! I found it very touching. Hoping to meet you one of these days! 👍🏼👍🏼
Let’s make that happen!
Yes! Are you still at Habitat in Hudson? If so, I'm looking for a cabinet - I could meet you there!?
Or meet for coffee?
I am still at HFH in Hudson. Come on buy! ;-0
Ok, will do. This coming week is jammed up, but the week after looks fairly sane.
Poifect.
So grateful for this well-told bit of memoir, Al (with the suggestion that you produce more when time allows) — and for what you’ve done and do.
Thanks, Rex.
Shalom. Caught your comment on Beschloss and decided to see for myself. You are six months and seven days ahead of me. I was born an introvert, shamed out of it early. Guidance counselor at UC Berkeley tested me on Meyers Briggs and was told I was an extrovert but would become an introvert. Took me 20 years to reclaim my birth rite. I used to perform as the Birthday Princess in my 20s. I have AMOR FATI on my laptop from a dear friend's birthday card this last December 13th. Opposite this from the same card she also wrote, "May the year of the Snake and the 9 beat the best ever!" I was introduced to David Byrne in '88. I haven't seen what else you write but this piece caught my attention, all the way through! I lost a brother when he was 31 and I was 33. He was the deep one who encouraged me off the expected LEADERSHIP path which I'd carved early and which subsumed all other interests. He encouraged me to find my own path and not be pressured into positions that are not mine. He started communicating three weeks after he left and hasn't stopped. Nice to meet you here.
Two lines I recognize and hold dear.
1) Don't let age be your cage.
2) Every day can be a birth day.
🖖 it’s not easy finding, being, and then maintaining who we truly are.
Much harder when we put other's needs before our own... giving ourself permission to focus on self is almost a dirty consideration to some. Of course, the balance is of all parts of us, and I suppose, by necessity, our extensions to others in our circle. If a certain part is never brought to the table or left behind as perhaps with the thought of it being a childhood phase, or a teenage transition, versus a core identity emanating from our core that is from womb to tomb. Allowing the voice of who we truly are is the first step. You did that with this piece, and bringing it to the smorgasbord of possibilities in the present moment.
What a day for a birthday, Al. I'll never forget your birthday is D-Day now. :)
I absolutely love the Talking Heads and David Byrne.
You also made me think about the personality type test. I did my personality type years ago – INFP – and I wondered what I would get this time as they say it doesn’t really change with age. But as I was answering the questions I knew it was leaning towards extrovert instead of introvert. And sure enough it came up ENFP. Maybe I’ve just learned to come a bit more out of my shell after all these years. I still love spending time alone, but I also love being around other people. At least some other people!
Choose wisely, love!
Al,
You are young not old.
If you choose to be
and why not.
You write originally
live eagerly
think creatively
and love Emerson.
You go dude.
Thank you, creakingly.✌️
PS I love that we are fellow INFJ's!
Explains a lot:)
So few of us. Glad we found each other!
Part of the issue I had turning 60 recently was that I realized I had never imagined myself at this age, physically or otherwise. Gods I love the wisdom and the perspective. Lord I don't love the aches and pains. But if I have no preconceived notion about how this is supposed to go, I will just make it up as I go along, which is probably the whole point.