Hello, my name is Russ - "Kings" is just an online name I use for forums, because I like a hockey team around here named that.

I took my personality profile for a career class last semester, and I came up unabashedly INFP.

I'm a musician and have played all my life. I've tried music classes when I was young and took some music theory in college, but I absolutely HATE that side of music. I enjoy engaging in music in a living sort of way, and, knowing where I'm going before I get there (what "theory" means to me) - in terms of music - well, it just kills all the wonder of it. I've always had a natural ability just to jump in and play music, but at the same time, I wouldn't consider myself "talented" as a musician. I do hear that comment sometimes, but I know I've just got people fooled. haha.

I'm married and have two young sons with autism. I feel my natural abilities to "read" people (and I'm darn good at that) helps me to break through some of the communication barriers associated with autistic people. Also, since I tend to look at autism as "another way of living" as opposed to "something is wrong here", I think us INFPs are perfectly suited to be parents of autistic kids.

I'm currently back in college, working towards a degree in history - I hope to teach at the community college level. I love history and non fiction, and I feel knowing more about history helps me to understand why why human societies have been so violent and destructive towards each other (and that understanding helps me to formulate ideas for change). I also feel that teaching at the CC level helps me to reach those students who are actuality trying to better there lives from less privileged stations (as opposed to a rich kid just doing what his parents expect). I think it's HERE that I can make a serious impact on humanity for the better. And..I realize all of that is utterly classic INFP thinking and motivation.

It's very true that I take almost everything personally, and in many ways it's a difficult way to live - people can hurt me deeply and they wont even know it, and..I don't always make the best decisions when I'm hurt. However, I also think it's a beautiful way to be, because for me, everything means something, all things have potential, and I live in a world where EVERYTHING is alive. I stub my toe and I get upset that the chair "did that me" - and I swear, I REALLY feel that. I feel like the chair is fucking with me! At the same time, I have these "relationships" with all objects I care about. My bike and I have a "vibe" together. My guitars are alive and have feelings...etc...

It's not that I rationally think inanimate objects are "alive", it's that I "feel" a certain way about things and I like to exist in that "world".
I once called this a form of animism, but after my personalty profile, I realize it's just my "way" to "feel" this way about the world around me...and I like that.


OK - done rambling for now lol, I'm very happy to have found this forum.
-Russ

I'm happy that you've found this forum too! That was a neat introduction. I feel as if I know you now.

I particularly like this statement:

Many autistic kids aren't accepted by their own parents and it's sad to see. I love seeing parents who have kids with disabilities (or are otherwise not 'normal') who treat them with as much love and care as they treat their other kids.

The community college path sounds rather nice! Hope it all works out for you!

Looking forward to hearing more from you.

Welcome!!
Gin

Welcome Kings! What musical instruments do you play?

Welcome!



You just answered the question I was about to post in new thread...but felt a bit too shy to mention.

I was wondering if anybody else here felt that the things that mattered to them, or things that they've gotten used to being around them were ALIVE. I feel that way especially about books I like to read over and over again. I hug them at night even if I'm too tired to read them. I have a "relationship" with objects and spaces like I have a "relationship" with pets. I especially like the books that in their own ways reflect part of my vision about the harmony that exists in our universe. I also sometimes see furniture as pets - just like they were in that Disney movie, Beauty and the Beast, when the animals were still under enchantment. I like eating veggies so much that sometimes I thank them for being them before I bite into them.

In a similar way, I somehow feel "death" in certain objects and places, but that is another topic altogether.

_________________

Good morning guys, nice to meet you all, and thanks for reading

Crystal, I TOTALLY do that with books and movies and objects I care about. I don't necessarily curl up and hug a book, but I have on occasion - had a guitar in bed with me, lol.


I do like to read books over and over and over again. Same with movies. I gain a sense of comfort from re-experiencing and living within stories that I love. And each time I read or watch I look for ever increasingly minute details that color the overall picture of a scene. More than that though, I learn and take in books and movies by absorbing them, not really by focusing directly. I tell my wife I watch movies and read by osmosis lol, I just let them wash over me, and eventually, I get it.

As far as feeling a "death" in terms of objects, YUP...me too

Recent Example:
My bike was stolen this last Monday - had it locked in a bike rack at school

Aside from needing the bike for transportation (wife and I only have 1 car), and the fact that things will be harder for me, the thing that REALLY bothered me, was how my bike was feeling about being stolen. (haha). I imagine some creepy guy walking up, and my bike being scared. That as he started to steal her and my poor bike must have wanted to call out to me. I worry that he'll treat her right. I hope things like "whoever stole her must have really needed her", and is "taking care of her". I think of the overall picture of her life (I bought her used), so I consider my ownership of her, and her getting stolen just another phase in her life...and I hope I was one of the better phases....etc.

So yes, I feel tings like that. It's just a bike, but I really do feel sad for her, and worry about how she's doing.

I can get along with just about anything that has strings - I'm ok on piano/keyboard too.

I grew up playing bass, but this last band I decided to play guitar, just to do something new

The band I'm doing now is all heavy metal - for years before that I was doing alternative kinds of bands, along the lines of coldplay and U2.

My band now actually just got signed. We're doing pretty well for being so new - but alas, I'm focusing on being a teacher now - I swear I'm not going to let this band take over my life. hahaha

Hi Kings. It's nice to have another hockey fan around. Personally I think the team should go back to the classic purple and gold jerseys.

Welcome aboard.

Russ, that was beautifully written. You have just expressed a part of me. About things being so alive. I couldn't have said it in a more profound way.