You are such a coward....too afraid to face the truth.
You are such a thief...you took me by surprise.
You are so dense...something so hard to penetrate.
You are so childlike..something I am in many ways.
Why can't you be the brave man who can ease my trouble?
Why can't you be the superhero who can bring back my possessions?
Why cant you be sensitive to the yearnings of my heart?
Why cant you be mature at times so we can talk like adults?
You are such a beautiful creature...always amazes me with your antics.
You are such a sweet liar....you think you can get away with anything.
You are so shallow...even a senseless old movie can tickle you no end.
You are not me...so don't make me like you.
But I cant make you ugly just because I hate loving you.
I cant make you fly and save me from being wretched.
I cant make you run deep, because you are deep enough.
I cant make you appreciate me, so why cant you be me?
Why cant you be all the things I want?
Why cant you be all the things I dreamed of?
Why cant you be the man of my dreams?
Why cant you be just right, tell me?
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
days of GLORY
Dearest Nick,
Happy Birthday Nick. I wish you will find a way to put back that smile permanently on your face. I want you to know that for the short time I have known you, I have come to appreciate you. You were timidly funny and very sweet. My Bora experience would have been a lot different without you in it, so thank you for coming with us. I really do hope that we were able to make an impact in your life.
You are now 31, where are you headed Nick? What are your goals in life? How do you want to achieve it? I don’t question the kind of work you do, in fact, for people like you in that business, I salute you for taking the risks. It takes a lot of guts to do what you do, it’s not a crime, and it’s not a sin…so I have my respects intact on you as a person.
The first time we were together I thought it was just out of sheer fun. We didn’t even talk that much, only having a good time. The second time was kind of special as we were together for couple of days. I have seen how you become so silent when you are hungry, talkative when full or equally childlike when you tinker with things. The short time we spent on the beach while waiting for our barbecue was magical as you have shared a little of your life with me and that smile…I have seen you SMILE!
I know you are a good person Nick, I know that you have a good heart, because you have sacrificed to be away from your daughter and family just to be able to earn a living for them. I know you have gone through rough roads in life, and I know you love deeply. Don’t let those hardships take you down, use it as your weapon to do better. Remember the lines from your favorite song; you have got something to BELIEVE in!
You are someone special to me Nick, really special. It is not because you can gyrate perfectly as Mr. Boombastic, but because you are YOU! I still have so many things I want to tell you, but that would be too selfish for me to rob you off of the opportunity to spend your birthday without worries. I don’t ever want to cause you more problems than what you are having now.
So here’s something I have compiled to thank you for the sweet memories I had with you. Those times I held your hand, those nights I held you tight in my arms and those moments I gave you my smile were not for a SHOW Nick, they were REAL feelings from me and the very same reasons I am smiling. I won’t ask if you ever felt the same way for me because you might give me a different answer, so I will just content myself by believing what I believe now….that those days were the best days of my life. God, you just don’t know how much I miss those times and how much I am missing you now.
Nick, I wish you joy and I wish you LOVE. Happy Birthday again Nick, don’t forget that you are and will always be my BABY!
Take care,
Jubang
Captured joy
Memories of this photo go beyond the minute of the shot. It is worth the countless times I spent daydreaming, the sacred time I spent praying for you and the time reliving it all.
I owe it to you for making me smile beyond no reason at all! Thank you Nick for the sweet memories!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Looking at the other side of the fence
I could honestly say that I have a blessed LIFE. My family didn’t go through hardships that others did, if we ever did, it is a negligible thing as compared to poverty wretched people I know.
I don’t look down to people who resort to odd jobs just to get a decent meal, if you can really call it decent. I have secret respect to people who goes beyond pride and self preservation just to make money. These are people who would do anything just to survive. I'm not saying that I tolerate people who kill and steal for money.....let me be clear on that.
Now here's a story I want to share to support my statement above:
I have a very easygoing friend of 20 years. Now that she's better off than the rest of us financially, she takes us to places we wouldn’t be dreaming of going. One of the places she took me to (aside from our out of town trips) was a gay bar. I was hesitant at first as I thought it was not a good place I will be seen at since I belong to the corporate world and has a reputation to protect. Once inside, it took all guts upon me to even look at the gyrating sexy men on stage.
We were giggling at first, couldn’t believe the moves we saw in front of us. Most of the dancers were in their early twenties, good looking and well built. There were men who would show a little frontal nudity and approaches table for audience to touch them in exchange of money...that was something I couldn’t do.
I was already getting uncomfortable when there's this dancer who did an unusual dance to the beat of Shaggy's song. It was actually a nice number and I enjoyed it especially when his foot movement would slam the floor in time with the beat...
Eventually I have learned to relax inside the bar, and then my friend called the dancer and asked to sit with us. He positioned himself in between me and my other friend, extended his hand during introduction which I did not accept...I was arrogant then.
I didn’t talk much to the guy, left the task to my other friend as I was so consumed with finishing my margarita and leave the place because by then more and more dancers were doing frontal nudity. The dancer on our table was invited by our friend to go with us disco dancing afterwards which he graciously accepted. That's when we got to talking about life....and my view about them in general turned 360 degrees at once.
He is the eldest of 9 brood, his family lives on a very meager income, in fact much of the time the money that his parents would make in a day couldn’t feed them all. He took the toil of labor at an early age when his parents could not support his studies anymore after secondary school, so he left town. He worked for a restaurant for a while but was offered the job he is doing now because of his eagerness to earn fast money and send it home.
He used his talent in dancing to be able to survive the first night, but he drowned himself a bottle of rum so he couldn’t feel anything. And he went on night after night, always drunk to be able to dance well. He loves dancing, he is proud of that, but the manner that he makes money out of it is something he still couldn’t quite get over with until now. Yes, he told us he has accepted indecent proposals...a lot of times already, but deep inside him, he is wishing he had other way.
In this job, he has met many women who all went and gone because of the kind of job he does. He has fathered 6 children from different women, only one is with him. He loves his son so much, that why he is always bothered by the life he has chosen to live. When at times that he doesn’t like to dance in front of an audience, he couldn’t because he has a son to feed and raise. Again, he blames poverty. He couldn’t get himself to rise above it, so he just learned to dance around it.
That's when I have understood why some people choose to work in the red district. It is easy; it doesn’t require high education and labels. It only requires GUTS and a HEART of STONE. But I honestly believe that if these people do not have talent in dancing or in the way they talk to people, then I don’t think they would last any minute longer.
My heart bled for him...I never knew someone could have so much hardships in life financially....I have never experienced that. Looking back at the life I have lived, I am so blessed yet took that for granted. There is this guy who is working for the money, doing a job he is ashamed of, every step is like every pound down but he keeps going....and despite the fact that he couldn’t move without alcohol in his body, he makes sure his performance is something to clap about. Who wouldn’t?
It is not the kind of living that we must judge one person, but we must look at the kind of life he is living so that we may understand him better. I am proud to have a macho dancer friend; after all he is more humane than the executives I know in my world. If you think you have the worst life, try to look at the other side of the fence and you will see how BLESSED you are!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Why?
There are just so many things in life that we cant explain...one of them is our emotions. Emotions run deeply, we could cry in a minute and laugh on the next. Why?
Our emotions react to what we see and hear. When we see a cute baby smiling, we smile too. When we hear an accident on the road, we get sad. Emotions do not act on its own, but sometimes dictate our next actions. Why?
For lovestruck people, emotions could get in the way of how they view the love they have. It impedes the ability of our brain to think better. Why?
But I believe love is not just an emotion, its a decision. Love does not exist if we do not commit to stand by our emotions. When the love we feel is not guaranteed by commitment, it will fade away slowly. Why?
I met a boy whose character I cant decipher, but Im drawn to liking him. Why?
He is someone out of my standards, not even close enough. But I think of him every minute of the day. Why?
He cant offer anything nor can give commitment, but I regard every second with him as forever. Why?
His little smiles mean joy, and his touches mean care...not even one single glimpse escapes me. Why?
I should not worry that I feel what I feel now, because love is the best gift we can give to someone. It flows freely and creates a magical feeling, although sometimes, it hurts! Why?
I could not promise to let my brain win over my emotions, it is not something I can be sure of yet for now. Why is that?
Simply because I have learned to care for you and I have learned to appreciate your being. Maybe these are just emotions that is fleeting and temporary, but one thing I can assure you is that it is something intense. Now baby, don't ask me why.
Our emotions react to what we see and hear. When we see a cute baby smiling, we smile too. When we hear an accident on the road, we get sad. Emotions do not act on its own, but sometimes dictate our next actions. Why?
For lovestruck people, emotions could get in the way of how they view the love they have. It impedes the ability of our brain to think better. Why?
But I believe love is not just an emotion, its a decision. Love does not exist if we do not commit to stand by our emotions. When the love we feel is not guaranteed by commitment, it will fade away slowly. Why?
I met a boy whose character I cant decipher, but Im drawn to liking him. Why?
He is someone out of my standards, not even close enough. But I think of him every minute of the day. Why?
He cant offer anything nor can give commitment, but I regard every second with him as forever. Why?
His little smiles mean joy, and his touches mean care...not even one single glimpse escapes me. Why?
I should not worry that I feel what I feel now, because love is the best gift we can give to someone. It flows freely and creates a magical feeling, although sometimes, it hurts! Why?
I could not promise to let my brain win over my emotions, it is not something I can be sure of yet for now. Why is that?
Simply because I have learned to care for you and I have learned to appreciate your being. Maybe these are just emotions that is fleeting and temporary, but one thing I can assure you is that it is something intense. Now baby, don't ask me why.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Is it wrong for me to love you or is it the other way around?
I met you when there was so much going in my life. I didnt even care how your hair would glisten in the sun, nor notice the quaint flick in your eyes. There was nothing I'd miss about you not until I spent those nights with you. Then I was blown away.
You had this sad look in your eyes, a timid smile wanting to smile more, a humor with pain and shyness with embarassment. How could I not be drawn to you when you always wanted to hold my hand? How could I not care when I already begun?
You told me that you do not like the work that you do, I told you that I don't question it. You told me that its been a while since you have been home, I told you you are far because of home. You told me that you cant afford to waste time, I told you to not worry because your efforts will be rewarded. You told me that you don't want to be a burden to me, I told you to lay it down on me so I can unburden you. After all things have been said and done, I thought I have succeeded in putting back that elusive smile on your face....was I so wrong?
You told me youd stay, but after you held my hand, you slipped away. You are gone....I have to accept that. But why? I have learned that you stopped reporting to work and later resigned. Why? You just quit communicating,why? These are all questions that remain so until now...why?
Then I remember what you told me the night we were at the beach...you told me that you don't want to fall in love because along with it comes pain. Did I ever cause you pain or were you meaning to warn me?
Is there someone else that I'm not supposed to love you or is it because you refused to admit the way you feel towards me? Is it wrong for me to love you or is it the other way around?
From the song that we both like, please say something for me to believe in...
You had this sad look in your eyes, a timid smile wanting to smile more, a humor with pain and shyness with embarassment. How could I not be drawn to you when you always wanted to hold my hand? How could I not care when I already begun?
You told me that you do not like the work that you do, I told you that I don't question it. You told me that its been a while since you have been home, I told you you are far because of home. You told me that you cant afford to waste time, I told you to not worry because your efforts will be rewarded. You told me that you don't want to be a burden to me, I told you to lay it down on me so I can unburden you. After all things have been said and done, I thought I have succeeded in putting back that elusive smile on your face....was I so wrong?
You told me youd stay, but after you held my hand, you slipped away. You are gone....I have to accept that. But why? I have learned that you stopped reporting to work and later resigned. Why? You just quit communicating,why? These are all questions that remain so until now...why?
Then I remember what you told me the night we were at the beach...you told me that you don't want to fall in love because along with it comes pain. Did I ever cause you pain or were you meaning to warn me?
Is there someone else that I'm not supposed to love you or is it because you refused to admit the way you feel towards me? Is it wrong for me to love you or is it the other way around?
From the song that we both like, please say something for me to believe in...
Friday, June 24, 2011
Who Am I Meant to Be? from www.oprah.com
YOU ARE STRIVING TO BE SECURE
This is the result of self-assessment test I took through www.oprah.com...Im yet to find it out, so join me in analyzing mine...and maybe you can find out yours too!!!
You are a stabilizer: You are the rock in a storm, the one others lean on. Loyal and com-mitted in your relationships, you maintain a support system of like-minded people whom you look out for. (So what if you do it behind the scenes and don't get credit?) You're careful with money, cherish the familiar, and defend the traditions you care about.
What to watch out for: Rapidly changing environments (like a shaky economy) are very hard for you. As a result of such instability, you can spiral into a state where everything seems catastrophic and you're sure life will only get worse. You can also become overcontrolling, rejecting any suggestion that doesn't conform to your idea of the way things should be. To avoid being too rigid, each month try changing one habit. Exper-iment with clothes, drive a different way to work, initiate conversations about subjects you wouldn't normally discuss. And when the opportunity arises to do something new, avoid the impulse to immediately say no—this may be nerve-racking, but the more you practice, the less anxious you'll feel.
Looking ahead: You find meaning in pursuing safety and certainty. Focusing on family can give you great satisfaction. Also consider planting a vegetable garden, hosting class reunions, volunteering as a lifeguard, teaching at your church or temple. In the work arena, look for positions where you're responsible for others, and for making sure everyone is following the rules. You work well in any environment that is stable and consistent. Careers in government, finance, the military, law enforcement, and product manufacturing are strong options for you.
Find careers that match your striving style.
YOUR SCORES
Many people have two or three strong striving styles, and they can all be important in leading you to the person you are meant to be. If you have a few "highest" scores, read each matching description, and see what rings most true.
Striving to help: 16
Striving to be recognized: 12
Striving to be creative: 13
Striving to be spontaneous: 12
Striving to be knowledgeable: 14
Striving to be secure: 18
Striving to be in control: 16
STRIVING TO HELP
You scored: 16
You are a nurturer: You are caring and supportive in your personal relationships as well as in your job. Unselfish and altruistic by nature, you often anticipate the needs of those around you before they are aware of them. If there is one thing that brings you satisfaction, it's tending to others.
What to watch out for: When you're doing things for people only to feel valued, you can become resentful. And if you sense that your help is not appreciated, you may end up playing the martyr. So before giving your time to everyone else, make sure to take care of yourself (physically, emotionally, and spiritually). And practice waiting until someone asks for help: While you may be able to perceive what a person needs, that doesn't mean she wants you to attend to it.
Looking ahead: It's important for you to be genuinely of service in acknowledged ways. Whether you foster a child, care for an elderly aunt, rescue animals, or support a rock star's career as her personal assistant, look for opportunities where you can help other people or bigger causes. Volunteer work has your name written on it, as do many careers: nursing, teaching, customer service, healing, social work. Don't feel pressured to run the company or lead the project; you may be even more effective as someone's right hand. And you'll likely find working with other people more meaningful than flying solo.
Find careers that match your striving style.
Back to Top
STRIVING TO BE RECOGNIZED
You scored: 12
You are an achiever: Ambitious, competitive, and hardworking: That's you. With a clear image of who you are, you work tirelessly to make sure your accomplishments are recognized. Your drive for success extends to your family, and you invest a lot of energy in helping them live up to your expectations. Thanks to your knack for diplomacy and abundant charisma, you often inspire others.
What to watch out for: You are prone to becoming a workaholic, slaving away toward success while neglecting your personal life. Because you're driven to gain approval, you can find yourself performing for others like an actor; if you become overly concerned with your image, you end up feeling superficial. To keep your ambition under control, get involved in group activities that require cooperation. Also practice listening to those around you and think about sharing the spotlight from time to time.
Looking ahead: Any career that allows you to scale the ranks and gain recognition, status, even material rewards, lights you up. Actress, entrepreneur, salesperson, politician—you get the picture. And consider balancing your professional challenges with personal ones: Run a 10K, train for a triathlon, compete in a tennis tournament, bike from one end of your state to the other; or join a debate team, play in a poker circle, enter your purebred spaniel in a dog show. Whenever you can win at something, you're happy.
Find careers that match your striving style.
Back to Top
STRIVING TO BE CREATIVE
You scored: 13
You are an artist: You came out of the womb with a paintbrush in your hand. Or maybe it was a flute or a castanet or a fountain pen to go with your poet's imagination. The point is, you're an original, and you know it. Even if you don't have a singular gift, you're drawn to the arts—anything creative, for that matter—and you have a unique way of looking at the world. Your need for depth and authenticity in relationships can lead to both great joy and profound sorrow, depending on whether others reciprocate. You don't care so much about adapting to group or societal expectations; your independence and sharp intuition propel you on your own path.
What to watch out for: When fear of conformity overrides your creativity, you can assume the role of "outsider" or "orphan" and end up feeling alienated. You may even go so far as refusing to vote or pay taxes. This lone-wolf stance might be a defense against feeling vulnerable. Try to be aware that blaming others for your banishment, or pushing away those who want to get close, only makes things worse. Also, dramatizing your emotions can interfere with your creativity.
Looking ahead: As long as you genuinely express yourself, you feel like the person you were meant to be. How you do it is irrelevant. A chef or architect can be as much of an artist as a painter or sculptor. Many advertising and public relations executives are also highly imaginative. Beyond work, there are opportunities everywhere you look to coax out your inner artist: Design your own jewelry line, create an innovative blog, dream up a comic strip. Relationships are another avenue for self-expression.
Find careers that match your striving style.
Back to Top
STRIVING TO BE SPONTANEOUS
You scored: 12
You are an adventurer: Action-oriented, curious, outgoing, and often technically gifted, you live for new experiences. You are drawn to risk-taking and aren't afraid to fail. Generally restless, you tend to job-hop or choose a field that offers constant novelty. If you had to name your favorite place, it might be the center of attention—you're a born entertainer, and can easily adapt to any audience. While you collect many acquaintances, you're less likely to develop deep, committed relationships.
What to watch out for: When you can't satisfy your thirst for variety and excitement, you may see yourself as trapped, which can lead to impulsive and self-destructive behavior—drinking, drugs, breaking off relationships, ditching financial responsibilities. Try to find value in some traditions; if you learn to appreciate repetitive experiences, you won't always feel the urge to bust free. And when a new opportunity thrills you, keep in mind that just because it sounds exciting, that doesn't mean it's good for you.
Looking ahead: Life will have meaning for you as long as you feel stimulated. That might mean chasing twisters, exploring the polar ice caps, getting a degree in dance therapy, or becoming an astronaut. It might also mean reading new books, attending workshops, or letting yourself get swept up in an intoxicating romance. As a risk-lover with a lot of energy, you're a natural entrepreneur. You'll be happiest if you change jobs every so often and travel extensively. Movement is what keeps you going.
Find careers that match your striving style.
Back to Top
STRIVING TO BE KNOWLEDGEABLE
You scored: 14
You are an intellectual: As a leader, you're often ahead of your time. As an employee, you try to surpass the competence level of peers, even managers. Incisive and curious, you're driven to deeply understand how things work. But that's things, not people. Oh, your family and friends are important; it's just that you don't need to spend hours engaging with them. Social validation isn't your goal—you're secure enough in your cerebral pursuits.
What to watch out for: When you can't find a way to be the expert, you may withdraw or simply withhold information, which can make you seem smug or arrogant. If you feel yourself retreating into your own world, seek a friend's help to pull you back. Also balance your cerebral tendencies through physical activities like jogging, hiking, or dance.
Looking ahead: You discover who you are meant to be through accumulating insight and knowledge. So follow your curiosity. Are you drawn to learning Mandarin? Join-ing a philosophy society? Studying and practicing Buddhist meditation? Delving into the complexities of computer programming? Writing a historical book? Pursuits that place you near the leading edge of technology, science, psychology, academia, or business are good bets. But any situation that allows you to work independently with freedom to investigate and innovate will fuel your drive.
Find careers that match your striving style.
Back to Top
STRIVING TO BE SECURE
You scored: 18
You are a stabilizer: You are the rock in a storm, the one others lean on. Loyal and com-mitted in your relationships, you maintain a support system of like-minded people whom you look out for. (So what if you do it behind the scenes and don't get credit?) You're careful with money, cherish the familiar, and defend the traditions you care about.
What to watch out for: Rapidly changing environments (like a shaky economy) are very hard for you. As a result of such instability, you can spiral into a state where everything seems catastrophic and you're sure life will only get worse. You can also become overcontrolling, rejecting any suggestion that doesn't conform to your idea of the way things should be. To avoid being too rigid, each month try changing one habit. Exper-iment with clothes, drive a different way to work, initiate conversations about subjects you wouldn't normally discuss. And when the opportunity arises to do something new, avoid the impulse to immediately say no—this may be nerve-racking, but the more you practice, the less anxious you'll feel.
Looking ahead: You find meaning in pursuing safety and certainty. Focusing on family can give you great satisfaction. Also consider planting a vegetable garden, hosting class reunions, volunteering as a lifeguard, teaching at your church or temple. In the work arena, look for positions where you're responsible for others, and for making sure everyone is following the rules. You work well in any environment that is stable and consistent. Careers in government, finance, the military, law enforcement, and product manufacturing are strong options for you.
Find careers that match your striving style.
Back to Top
STRIVING TO BE IN CONTROL
You scored: 16
You are a leader: You approach everything as though you were born to be in charge. Confident, assertive, and decisive, you know what you want and you go after it. You also look out for family, friends, and community—you feel you know what's best for them—and have no fear of confronting anyone who challenges your ideas. Taking the driver's seat, you also generously donate time and energy to people and neighborhood projects.
What to watch out for: When you feel threatened, or others refuse to go along with your agenda, you can become confrontational and domineering, sometimes to the point of being dictatorial. Practice letting someone else take charge on occasion. Also try meditation; it can help you be-come more aware of your controlling impulses and ease the anxiety that may be provoking them.
Looking ahead: You discover your purpose when you take control of your environment. For you, finding a decision-making role is key. That could mean anything from producing a play to spearheading a global campaign for something you care about. In work, you're suited for leadership positions in education, government, industry, finance, religious institutions, or politics. But you can find satisfaction anytime you're given the autonomy to do things your own way.
This is the result of self-assessment test I took through www.oprah.com...Im yet to find it out, so join me in analyzing mine...and maybe you can find out yours too!!!
You are a stabilizer: You are the rock in a storm, the one others lean on. Loyal and com-mitted in your relationships, you maintain a support system of like-minded people whom you look out for. (So what if you do it behind the scenes and don't get credit?) You're careful with money, cherish the familiar, and defend the traditions you care about.
What to watch out for: Rapidly changing environments (like a shaky economy) are very hard for you. As a result of such instability, you can spiral into a state where everything seems catastrophic and you're sure life will only get worse. You can also become overcontrolling, rejecting any suggestion that doesn't conform to your idea of the way things should be. To avoid being too rigid, each month try changing one habit. Exper-iment with clothes, drive a different way to work, initiate conversations about subjects you wouldn't normally discuss. And when the opportunity arises to do something new, avoid the impulse to immediately say no—this may be nerve-racking, but the more you practice, the less anxious you'll feel.
Looking ahead: You find meaning in pursuing safety and certainty. Focusing on family can give you great satisfaction. Also consider planting a vegetable garden, hosting class reunions, volunteering as a lifeguard, teaching at your church or temple. In the work arena, look for positions where you're responsible for others, and for making sure everyone is following the rules. You work well in any environment that is stable and consistent. Careers in government, finance, the military, law enforcement, and product manufacturing are strong options for you.
Find careers that match your striving style.
YOUR SCORES
Many people have two or three strong striving styles, and they can all be important in leading you to the person you are meant to be. If you have a few "highest" scores, read each matching description, and see what rings most true.
Striving to help: 16
Striving to be recognized: 12
Striving to be creative: 13
Striving to be spontaneous: 12
Striving to be knowledgeable: 14
Striving to be secure: 18
Striving to be in control: 16
STRIVING TO HELP
You scored: 16
You are a nurturer: You are caring and supportive in your personal relationships as well as in your job. Unselfish and altruistic by nature, you often anticipate the needs of those around you before they are aware of them. If there is one thing that brings you satisfaction, it's tending to others.
What to watch out for: When you're doing things for people only to feel valued, you can become resentful. And if you sense that your help is not appreciated, you may end up playing the martyr. So before giving your time to everyone else, make sure to take care of yourself (physically, emotionally, and spiritually). And practice waiting until someone asks for help: While you may be able to perceive what a person needs, that doesn't mean she wants you to attend to it.
Looking ahead: It's important for you to be genuinely of service in acknowledged ways. Whether you foster a child, care for an elderly aunt, rescue animals, or support a rock star's career as her personal assistant, look for opportunities where you can help other people or bigger causes. Volunteer work has your name written on it, as do many careers: nursing, teaching, customer service, healing, social work. Don't feel pressured to run the company or lead the project; you may be even more effective as someone's right hand. And you'll likely find working with other people more meaningful than flying solo.
Find careers that match your striving style.
Back to Top
STRIVING TO BE RECOGNIZED
You scored: 12
You are an achiever: Ambitious, competitive, and hardworking: That's you. With a clear image of who you are, you work tirelessly to make sure your accomplishments are recognized. Your drive for success extends to your family, and you invest a lot of energy in helping them live up to your expectations. Thanks to your knack for diplomacy and abundant charisma, you often inspire others.
What to watch out for: You are prone to becoming a workaholic, slaving away toward success while neglecting your personal life. Because you're driven to gain approval, you can find yourself performing for others like an actor; if you become overly concerned with your image, you end up feeling superficial. To keep your ambition under control, get involved in group activities that require cooperation. Also practice listening to those around you and think about sharing the spotlight from time to time.
Looking ahead: Any career that allows you to scale the ranks and gain recognition, status, even material rewards, lights you up. Actress, entrepreneur, salesperson, politician—you get the picture. And consider balancing your professional challenges with personal ones: Run a 10K, train for a triathlon, compete in a tennis tournament, bike from one end of your state to the other; or join a debate team, play in a poker circle, enter your purebred spaniel in a dog show. Whenever you can win at something, you're happy.
Find careers that match your striving style.
Back to Top
STRIVING TO BE CREATIVE
You scored: 13
You are an artist: You came out of the womb with a paintbrush in your hand. Or maybe it was a flute or a castanet or a fountain pen to go with your poet's imagination. The point is, you're an original, and you know it. Even if you don't have a singular gift, you're drawn to the arts—anything creative, for that matter—and you have a unique way of looking at the world. Your need for depth and authenticity in relationships can lead to both great joy and profound sorrow, depending on whether others reciprocate. You don't care so much about adapting to group or societal expectations; your independence and sharp intuition propel you on your own path.
What to watch out for: When fear of conformity overrides your creativity, you can assume the role of "outsider" or "orphan" and end up feeling alienated. You may even go so far as refusing to vote or pay taxes. This lone-wolf stance might be a defense against feeling vulnerable. Try to be aware that blaming others for your banishment, or pushing away those who want to get close, only makes things worse. Also, dramatizing your emotions can interfere with your creativity.
Looking ahead: As long as you genuinely express yourself, you feel like the person you were meant to be. How you do it is irrelevant. A chef or architect can be as much of an artist as a painter or sculptor. Many advertising and public relations executives are also highly imaginative. Beyond work, there are opportunities everywhere you look to coax out your inner artist: Design your own jewelry line, create an innovative blog, dream up a comic strip. Relationships are another avenue for self-expression.
Find careers that match your striving style.
Back to Top
STRIVING TO BE SPONTANEOUS
You scored: 12
You are an adventurer: Action-oriented, curious, outgoing, and often technically gifted, you live for new experiences. You are drawn to risk-taking and aren't afraid to fail. Generally restless, you tend to job-hop or choose a field that offers constant novelty. If you had to name your favorite place, it might be the center of attention—you're a born entertainer, and can easily adapt to any audience. While you collect many acquaintances, you're less likely to develop deep, committed relationships.
What to watch out for: When you can't satisfy your thirst for variety and excitement, you may see yourself as trapped, which can lead to impulsive and self-destructive behavior—drinking, drugs, breaking off relationships, ditching financial responsibilities. Try to find value in some traditions; if you learn to appreciate repetitive experiences, you won't always feel the urge to bust free. And when a new opportunity thrills you, keep in mind that just because it sounds exciting, that doesn't mean it's good for you.
Looking ahead: Life will have meaning for you as long as you feel stimulated. That might mean chasing twisters, exploring the polar ice caps, getting a degree in dance therapy, or becoming an astronaut. It might also mean reading new books, attending workshops, or letting yourself get swept up in an intoxicating romance. As a risk-lover with a lot of energy, you're a natural entrepreneur. You'll be happiest if you change jobs every so often and travel extensively. Movement is what keeps you going.
Find careers that match your striving style.
Back to Top
STRIVING TO BE KNOWLEDGEABLE
You scored: 14
You are an intellectual: As a leader, you're often ahead of your time. As an employee, you try to surpass the competence level of peers, even managers. Incisive and curious, you're driven to deeply understand how things work. But that's things, not people. Oh, your family and friends are important; it's just that you don't need to spend hours engaging with them. Social validation isn't your goal—you're secure enough in your cerebral pursuits.
What to watch out for: When you can't find a way to be the expert, you may withdraw or simply withhold information, which can make you seem smug or arrogant. If you feel yourself retreating into your own world, seek a friend's help to pull you back. Also balance your cerebral tendencies through physical activities like jogging, hiking, or dance.
Looking ahead: You discover who you are meant to be through accumulating insight and knowledge. So follow your curiosity. Are you drawn to learning Mandarin? Join-ing a philosophy society? Studying and practicing Buddhist meditation? Delving into the complexities of computer programming? Writing a historical book? Pursuits that place you near the leading edge of technology, science, psychology, academia, or business are good bets. But any situation that allows you to work independently with freedom to investigate and innovate will fuel your drive.
Find careers that match your striving style.
Back to Top
STRIVING TO BE SECURE
You scored: 18
You are a stabilizer: You are the rock in a storm, the one others lean on. Loyal and com-mitted in your relationships, you maintain a support system of like-minded people whom you look out for. (So what if you do it behind the scenes and don't get credit?) You're careful with money, cherish the familiar, and defend the traditions you care about.
What to watch out for: Rapidly changing environments (like a shaky economy) are very hard for you. As a result of such instability, you can spiral into a state where everything seems catastrophic and you're sure life will only get worse. You can also become overcontrolling, rejecting any suggestion that doesn't conform to your idea of the way things should be. To avoid being too rigid, each month try changing one habit. Exper-iment with clothes, drive a different way to work, initiate conversations about subjects you wouldn't normally discuss. And when the opportunity arises to do something new, avoid the impulse to immediately say no—this may be nerve-racking, but the more you practice, the less anxious you'll feel.
Looking ahead: You find meaning in pursuing safety and certainty. Focusing on family can give you great satisfaction. Also consider planting a vegetable garden, hosting class reunions, volunteering as a lifeguard, teaching at your church or temple. In the work arena, look for positions where you're responsible for others, and for making sure everyone is following the rules. You work well in any environment that is stable and consistent. Careers in government, finance, the military, law enforcement, and product manufacturing are strong options for you.
Find careers that match your striving style.
Back to Top
STRIVING TO BE IN CONTROL
You scored: 16
You are a leader: You approach everything as though you were born to be in charge. Confident, assertive, and decisive, you know what you want and you go after it. You also look out for family, friends, and community—you feel you know what's best for them—and have no fear of confronting anyone who challenges your ideas. Taking the driver's seat, you also generously donate time and energy to people and neighborhood projects.
What to watch out for: When you feel threatened, or others refuse to go along with your agenda, you can become confrontational and domineering, sometimes to the point of being dictatorial. Practice letting someone else take charge on occasion. Also try meditation; it can help you be-come more aware of your controlling impulses and ease the anxiety that may be provoking them.
Looking ahead: You discover your purpose when you take control of your environment. For you, finding a decision-making role is key. That could mean anything from producing a play to spearheading a global campaign for something you care about. In work, you're suited for leadership positions in education, government, industry, finance, religious institutions, or politics. But you can find satisfaction anytime you're given the autonomy to do things your own way.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)