I have been fascinated by the 4 personality types always – and I have studied several different methods of personality types and the associated trainings. Have you ever considered that your personality type may be related to how you (and those you love and care about) handle bereavement ?
Let’s say, for example, a great-grandparent passes away. “He lived a nice long life” or “OMGOSH, what will the family do now without him” or “At least he didn’t suffer” or “He would want us to carry on in his example” – can you see the various reactions from each of the 4 personality types ?
NOW what happens when Mom dies ? Having your mother pass away may have quite a different impact on you and the family than a great-grandparent; but let’s take a look at the previous statements. Being a mother is quite a multi-faceted journey so the nice long life may depend on her age – what WILL the family do now without the matriarch – how nice her earthly suffering has come to an end – and what we learned from Mom will help us guide the next generations, in her memory.
Can you see how different the reactions could be of the various personality types ? Mom has still passed away – some panic – some are at peace, as Mom died without ME having regrets – some realize the responsibility to pass Mom’s wisdom on to future generations – and others internalize the death with “What do I do NOW” …
Death of a loved one is something I have experienced several times, and even more deaths since the publishing of my second book, “He Hit The Clouds Running … and never looked back … ” and when I put my love of personality types and those trainings and integrated that information into my grief journey messages, I was intrigued by how I have noticed how all 4 personality types respond to the passing of a loved one in different ways. We know there is ebb and flow to the grief journey and we know that the death of a neighborhood friend may not have the same impact as a parent or other family member, so this is the opportunity to take a new look at how the personality type of a mourner may have everything to do with their healing process.