Some people have made a science of using different forms of personality tests to exude compassion. Understanding each other creates a form of ironic unity. We grasp that we are different so that we can embrace that we are the same.
At some point in my history, I ran into Mark Gungor and the Flag Page. Mark has some hilarious YouTube lectures on the differences between the brains of men and the minds of women. He also explains the Flag Page. It’s like Myers Briggs incredibly simplified. For something so quick and easy, the accuracy is amazing. And the accuracy is also no surprise because the feedback uses your own words of choice. If you do not know yourself or do not give truthful answers, there will be nothing to learn.
We sat at the dinner table and talked about it. Nyasha took the test long ago. Kwami, Shante and Conrad took the short assessment that night. They were looking for the “countries” that they “come from”. The results? Not surprising. Maybe Conrad’s was a bit of an eye opener to me, but he is new to the family.
The Flag Page breaks the world of humans into four. Peace Country. Control Country. Fun Country. And the Country of Perfect. When I took the test, when I listened to Mark’s words, I understood something for the first time in my life.
In this method, I come from the country of Perfect with a nearly equal part from the country of Peace. No surprises. But what I learned was about misunderstandings. A lot of people have believed that I am a control freak, that I arrive in the world wishing to control it. Nothing could be further from true. But it looks true. It looks true because of my eye for perfection. I can see perfect, and I can see it clearly! That means that the inverse is true.
Because I can see imperfection, and I talk about the way things can be perfect, people are hurt and offended. And they shouldn’t be. They certainly shouldn’t be when one considers my countries of origin! I just want things to be better, more beautiful, more efficient, safer, and more effective. I am not trying to control it. I can just see every little detail that is out of line. And lack of perfection is honestly highly irritating, and sometimes fully disturbing to my personality. If you don’t come from the land of perfect, that might be difficult to grasp.
Since my second country is Peace, I am certainly NOT trying to disturb the peace.
It’s interesting to see where the personality contradicts itself. One of the family has Control and Peace in the top two positions. That is a rugged cross to bear, the most difficult combination of inner belief systems.
An interesting part of the Flag Page is that it identifies areas where people want to be acknowledged and appreciated, their biggest gifts and the ways they are contributing. Instead of reprimanding the countries of someone’s Flag Page origin, we have the opportunity to see and appreciate the gifts.
I have done so many assessments and analysis’ over the last four decades. Each lets me know myself a little bit better. This one has given me insight into how my family members see themselves, and I can love them more for all that they portray to the world.
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