Everyone has their own unique personality, that's what makes us so different and interesting in our own way. There are people who are sociable, persistent and self-confident - these are the expressed qualities of extroverts. There are calm, meek and obsessed with their inner world - this is typical of introverts.
We will take a closer look at the qualities of the second type of people - introverts. They are distinguished by meekness, love of knowledge and balanced actions.
How to determine your type of temperament?
The easiest way is to analyze your character. Here are some questions to help you:
- Can you be alone for a long time and still be happy?
- Are you afraid to take risks?
- Are you empathic (meaning the ability to empathize with another person on a mental level)?
- Prefer not to conflict, but to find a compromise?
- Can you listen carefully to your opponent?
- Have a few close people, but you don't need more?
The more positive answers you get, the more introverted you are. The less, the more extroverted you are. If the positive and negative answers are equally divided, you are an ambivert - a unique personality that combines the features of bothtypes.
The Eysenck temperament type test is a great way to analyze your character. Consists of 57 questions that should be answered quickly, that is, the first thing that comes to mind.
Distinguishing traits of an introvert
Let's list the main ones:
- getting life energy from within, not from other people;
- soft character;
- enjoying loneliness for a long period of time (this is impossible all the time, because a person is a social being);
- fixation on your inner world;
- developed intuition;
- careful choice of social circle;
- meekness;
- search for a compromise in a conflict situation;
- balance of committed actions.
Of course, these are not all traits of an introvert. But if you find the listed properties in a person, he is highly likely to be an introvert.
In general, there are fewer people who can be in harmony with themselves for a long time than those who need communication. That is why the calm behavior of introverts is so often incomprehensible to active extroverts.
However, this is not an obstacle to friendship and communication. There are people with similar interests in both camps. A smart extrovert understands when to leave his quiet friend alone to “recharge” with internal energy. And an introvert perfectly feels when it is better to remain silent and show his meekness and calmness.
Speaking of meekness. This is a remarkable quality of character, whichcorrelates with calmness and inner harmony of a person.
Meekness: the meaning of the word
As mentioned earlier, meekness is more characteristic of humble introverts. But smart extroverts are not deprived of it either.
Meekness is the quality of a strong person who does not get upset, does not get angry over trifles, is not prone to resentment and revenge. He succeeds due to his kind and easy-going nature.
This is not a sign of weakness, as some people think. Well, what's the point of flashing a bright flame for any reason? A meek person understands this and treats many things with condescension and humor. Harmony reigns in the soul of such a person; he is not in danger of becoming a short-tempered neurotic.
Meekness helps a person to accept the world as it is. And also not to be offended by the cruelty and bad deeds of other people. After all, there are many things in the world that do not depend on a particular person. The ability to accept eases the soul and does not fill the head with what cannot be changed.
Meekness: the antonym
Pride is the opposite of meekness; exaggeration of their capabilities and merits many times over. A person subject to this vice considers himself superior to other people.
Pride is bad because it hinders the development of a person as a person. Such an individual remains at his stage of development, further growth and self-improvement is not available to him.
Also, an overly proud person thinks too highly of himself, and this is reflected in his attitude towards other people. He only thinks of himselfdoes not care about anyone and is not interested in others. The other person is very good at feeling disregard for himself and over time breaks the connection with the proud.
As a result, it turns out that from this quality there are only disappointments and problems. Therefore, a smart person, noticing the rudiments of pride in himself, gets rid of them in the fastest way.
The difference between dignity and pride
But dignity is inherent in a harmonious person. It has nothing to do with pride.
Dignity is self respect. Self-respect consists of evaluating oneself, which is not dependent on the opinions of others and changing circumstances.
A person with dignity:
- respects both himself and other people;
- does not lose courage in any, even the most critical situations;
- does not depend on the opinions of other people;
- not afraid to apply his inclinations and abilities in various fields.
Humility is a great human strength
When we talk about humility, for many, the fantasy draws the image of a person who agrees with fate, humiliated, going with the flow. Actually it is not.
Humility is the ability for conscious patience, a deep understanding of life by a person. It can be interpreted in two ways:
- Like humility towards yourself. This implies a more or less objective assessment of oneself, without exaggeration and belittling one's merits.
- Like humility towards others. Equal attitude towards other people, acceptance of thempoint of view.
It seems pretty easy to become a humble person. Actually it is very difficult. Because it requires getting rid of pride, which is characteristic of any individual.
Humility and meekness are qualities of character without which a person cannot live in harmony with himself and with the world around him. They are characteristic of a mature person who has gone through a certain life path.
However, a person can try to learn them if he understands that exorbitant pride and unscrupulousness hinder inner growth.
What does humility do?
- The ability to listen to any person. Here it is also very important to listen submissively, that is, delving into, without getting annoyed, without thinking to yourself: “Well, when he (she) is already silent.” This attitude will not offend your opponent, and you will understand what the person is trying to convey to you. then decide whether it is important to you or not.
- The ability to ask for forgiveness. It is sincere repentance for what they have done and a conscious desire not to act in this way in the future.
- "Inoculation" against vanity and boasting.
False humility
And then there was a fly in the ointment…
Often a person who wants to become humble falls into a trap. He chooses the model of behavior of a demonstratively humble person. For example, he begins to behave modestly in order to amuse his sense of self-importance. Here self-deception turns on: you behave humbly not in order to grow internally, but to draw attention to yourself as a good boy or as a "good" person.
How to become more meek anddevelop humility?
Understanding what meekness, the meaning of the word, is truly possible only in practice.
1. Help people as much as you can.
2. Fight your pride.
3. Don't be arrogant towards others.
4. Respect everyone's point of view.
5. Do not verbally insult the interlocutor. An offensive word spoken in an emotional outburst often hurts more than an act.
6. Develop mindfulness. That is, first think, and then speak or act.
7. Have self-respect and don't go to extremes. Low self-esteem and too soft character - this is also not good. Adequate self-esteem is like a scale in balance.
Meekness in various religions. The Parable of the Buddha and the Elephant
Humanity, modesty and kindness are the most important Christian qualities. The Bible says that meekness is one of the virtues:
- In the Old Testament, she is associated with Moses. Overcoming adversity and hardship, this man found meekness. "Moses was the meekest of all people on earth," says the Book of Numbers.
- The New Testament speaks of the meekness and mercy of Jesus Christ. This Prophet showed good character in action, teaching humility, acceptance, and various virtues.
Buddhism also considers meekness an important character trait. There is a well-known parable in which the Buddha, thanks to this quality, stopped the elephant.
How to achieve spiritual harmony?
Harmony with oneself is the most important component of the life of a modern person, correlated with happiness. People subconsciously strive for such a calm and peaceful state. How to reach it?
- Take an hour to relax. Excellent stress reliever yoga, warm bath, calm relaxing music.
- Be alone with yourself. Every person needs it, even the most active extrovert.
- Move. In every sense: movement is life and happiness.
- Believe in yourself (or yourself). Only a person who loves himself achieves harmony.
- Accept the world around you with all its advantages and disadvantages. It is amazing and full of mysteries for those who know how to see them. Remember, meekness is the quality that will help you.
- Take care of your plants. Surely you have a small pot with a pretty green flower or plants in your garden. Water them, expose them to sunlight. Surprisingly, but true: it calms the psyche. Which is especially true for women. As one Buddhist said: “A woman working in a garden creates the world.”
- Don't stop learning. This is not about getting additional education, but about useful knowledge. You can learn new things both on your own and from more experienced people through attentive listening. Study trains imagination, memory and broadens horizons.
Humility and meekness are the qualities of a strong person who knows how to accept the environmentreality and live in harmony with it.
