Type A

Background: I’m finishing up my fitness assessment at the gym and the trainer calls me something I would have never attached to my name, Type A. Personality that is.

I have always considered myself a laid back, go with the flow type of girl. I’m not one to seek attention or be the life of the party. I always associated type A personalities with cocky, arrogant, people who think they can be leaders. Well, when I did a quick search on the type A type B theory, I was surprised to find that I fit the bill of a type A person. But I would consider myself a milder version.

ambitious, rigidly organized, highly status conscious, can be sensitive, care for other people, are truthful, impatient, always try to help others, take on more than they can handle, want other people to get to the point, proactive, and obsessed with time management. People with Type A personalities are often high-achieving “workaholics” who multi-task, push themselves with deadlines, and hate both delays and ambivalence.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_A_and_Type_B_personality_theory)

Wow. When did I become that person, because I never saw myself as that. But as I analyze my past a little more, I see those traits, those behaviors were always there. Some were locked in a box because you were taught it wasn’t ok. Others were shoved under the bed because when you did show off that trait you were hurt. Others were never used because a situation never arose that required use of that particular trait/behavior. But over the years transformation occurs and all the traits start coming together and mingling to make a stronger personality.

The Proverbs 31 woman was a wife, mother, employer, entrepreneur, seamstress, philanthropist, extraordinaire. As we mature and are able to handle more, our many responsibilities pull traits out of us that we are responsible to refine and put to use. And as more is given into our hands to manage, more traits come to the surface and we become this refined person that we never saw before, but kinda knew was there. This happens when we are mature to handle more. Some people never experience this transformation because they don’t allow the pressures and experiences of life to groom them. They either run from them, attack them or succomb to them. But they all come to refine and draw out of us greater strengths that must be used to manage more responsibility.

Even in my marriage I see how I’ve changed. Instead of fighting my husband or just passively going along, I’ve allowed our experience together to refine me, so that now I enjoy every part of my marriage and respect and love everything about my husband. The same goes for being a mom and a professional. Don’t be afraid of becoming someone new every few years. The core of you will still be there but the look, speech and actions will be upgraded. Trust me, it works in everyone’s favor.

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her, [saying],

29 [c]Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all.

References: Proverbs 31:28-29 and wikipedia as listed above