Troy

I am important. So are other people, especially if they are in trouble. I have a tender heart, but I know how to establish and keep personal boundaries. I am empathetic and compassionate, but I also believe that it's best if people solve their own problems and learn to take care of themselves, if they are able. I am deeply moved by the needs of others, but I know that if I don't take good care of myself, I'll wind up being of no use to anyone. So mine is a thoughtful compassion. I strive to be fair and sensible, taking care of others while also taking care of myself. When someone really is in trouble, I like to collaborate with them toward a solution; they do their part, I do mine. I consider carefully, and respond in a sensible way; they do their part, and together we move through the difficulty. I seldom act impulsively; rather, when a problem arises, I take my time to think through the situation. This contemplative quality usually means that I'll arrive at a diplomatic solution, one that's fair for the other person and also fair to me. It's frequently a win/win situation. I think like an artist. Or better, I SEE like an artist. While most people look at life's straight lines, its height and depth and width, I'm bending the lines with my imagination and turning black and white into shades of blue and yellow. And in conversations at work or with my friends I want to ask, "Do you see what I see?" A few might, most don't, but I've piqued everyone's curiosity with my original and inventive ways of thinking. I can, if I must, think in conventional ways. But left on my own, I'll usually opt for the eccentric or avant-garde; in fact I'm usually bored with what everyone else is comfortable with. I learn from reading, talking, watching people and other fauna and flora, and simply sitting in the soft chair of my mind and wondering how people would learn how to count if they could only use uneven numbers. I am out in front of conventional ideas, bravely originally defining true and false, right and wrong, the good, the bad and the ugly. Each one of us encounters some hard times; we get caught off guard, or feel a sudden swell of emotion, whether from fear, joy, anger or sadness. Life is just like this sometimes. I know that because I am an emotional person. Some people go to great lengths to keep their emotions under wraps, to keep a stiff upper lip, to not let others know what emotions they are feeling. But that is not me. I embrace all of life's emotions, both the joys and the turmoil that life brings my way. I also realize that there is a time and a place for my emotions. So, I don't allow my emotions to make my decisions. When I'm having fun with a group of friends I don't even try to contain my pleasure; I laugh hard and feel every moment of the conversation because of the joy that comes from the experience. I make very intense friendships; ones where all of the depth of emotions that I feel can be shared. Emotions are such an essential part of my everyday life. I may cry at intense movies or when watching a sad story on the evening news. I get angry, at others or at myself, and I do not stifle it. Emotions drive my personality and my relationships - I simply am what I feel. I experience both the highs and the lows more profoundly than most. And I usually relish the intensity of my emotions. For sure I enjoy the positive times. There are those times, though, when my feelings get the best of me and I wonder how I will manage the moment. But because I am so in tune with all of my emotions I will experience something very pleasant and will be able to engage with that positive feeling to again enjoy the wonderful intensity that life brings me. Everybody knows they can count on me to do what I promise to do, be where I say I'll be "on time" and finish what I start. If I say I'll chair the committee, I'll come with an agenda and a clear outline of the tasks to be accomplished, give everyone a chance to speak their minds, and then call for a vote on each issue, schedule the next meeting, hand out assignments and adjourn at the appointed time. I like order and discipline, and use these to methodically accomplish whatever goals I have set for myself and for others. And I have a strong sense of obligation if I accept responsibility, I am proactive; I take it on with a single-minded commitment, as if I've pledged my allegiance to the assigned task. People know that they can depend on me. My personal life is also one of order and discipline. I am likely to have a pretty firm schedule, and to stick to it. I make time for my friends, but not at the expense of my work duties. I can be talkative and funny in social situations, but seldom out of control. In fact, I am pretty careful; I seldom, if ever, cross the line into impulsive behavior, and I am even careful to control how much of my inner world I disclose, even to my close friends. I keep myself in check because I don't want whatever mess might be inside me to leak out into conversation or make a mess of a relationship. There are things to accomplish in life, both at work and in my social world, and I don't want to let unnecessary clutter hamper my drive to get all of it done, and done well. People light me up. In conversations, planning meetings or almost any social situation, I bring my energy and my friendly, outgoing personality into these engagements with other people, and I come away pumped up. I can hardly wait for the next event, as long as other people will be there. And I'm good at it. I know how to communicate. I listen well, the first rule of good communication, and then, when it's my turn, I talk vigorously and with animation; in my uninhibited way I give all that I've got to the encounter. In situations where I feel very safe, when I know and trust the people I'm with, I can be very kindhearted and unrestrained. I let my affection for and pleasure in being with others flow freely. I'm wide open And when I get back this same kind of unrestrained warmth, I am deeply satisfied. Because I am so friendly and full of life, these are among my favorite moments. I'm kinda laid back & easy going. I follow a simple value-producing belief system. If you want to no more, just ask!