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What I learned of my nephews
from Mr. Lincoln and a bobblehead...
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It was another beautiful evening in Chavez Ravine, home of Dodger Stadium. The ballpark--an icon of Mid-century Modern architecture--then as now, illuminated the night, a brilliant crown perched atop the Los Angeles skyline. On this evening a generation ago, I carried my nephews, Daniel and Kevin--perhaps four and six years old at the time--to their first Major League Baseball game, the Dodgers and the Mets. The boys were dressed in Dodger uniforms, carried homemade poster board signs, and had five dollars each to spend on souvenirs.
I don't remember my first visit to Dodger Stadium. Indeed, I can't recall a time when our family did not travel from our home in suburban Los Angeles to watch the Dodgers. Koufax and Roseboro represent the Dodgers of my childhood; Hershiser and Piazza embody the team of my nephews' youth. Although I cannot recall my first game, I saw it all anew that night through the wide eyes of Daniel and Kevin.
About the third inning the boys were ready to visit the souvenir stand, where all things Dodger Blue (Pantone 294 for you curious artists) are sold. I understand that time can exaggerate our memories, but I seem to recall that Abraham Lincoln beat Kevin to the counter. Kevin surrendered his bill to the attendant and enthusiastically purchased the first thing he saw that fell within his budget. Daniel, however, kept his president in his hip pocket. For the next several minutes he grilled the patient attendant, inquiring of numerous items in the display, "How much is that?" "How much is that?" "How much is that?" Finally, Daniel turned to me and asked, "Uncle Michael, can we come back later? I'd like to think about it for a while."
Daniel turned to me an hour later, in the seventh inning, and announced, "I'm ready to go back to the souvenir stand, Uncle Michael." When we approached the counter, Daniel--with clarity and intention--pointed out three items to the attendant and quickly said, "I'll take one of those, one of those, and one of those." Kevin looked down at his own comparatively meager purchase, then looked with disbelief at his brother's trove, and asked, "Daniel, how'd you do that?"
Daniel and Kevin are adults today, beloved brothers and successful men with their own distinctive identities and families. But it's amazing how that night long ago at the ballpark offered a glimpse of their developed personalities. Neither one, either good or bad. In Myers-Briggs parlance, Daniel is a "P" for Perceiving--he prefers to stay open to new information and options; Kevin is a "J" for Judging--he prefers to get things decided.
Who knew you could discern so much from a bobblehead?
What stories of your childhood have you heard from family and friends that foreshadowed your personality preferences? Feel free to move beyond "J" and "P" or Myers-Briggs itself.
How might those preferences have served you in life--to your favor or not so much?
Can you identify an occasion when you acted "out of preference"? How might that have served you?
What's the learning?
Want to learn more about Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and how it might be of benefit to you? Talk to me. It's not terribly expensive. Well, actually, it can be, but it is a worthwhile investment. |
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Michael Fox
m�agine!
530/613.2774
407 Myrtle Drive
Farmerville, LA, USA 71241 |
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In addition to personal and professional coaching,
m�agine! specializes in spiritual transformation coaching,
employing its proprietary models
--Values, Vision, Voice and Heart, Soul, Mind & Strength--
as well as
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator� curriculum
published by CPP, the People Development People.
Michael's books include
Complete in Christ,
Complete in Christ Spiritual Transformation Workbook,
and Biblio�files.
Coaching fees are based upon a sliding scale. Contact us for details.
For additional information, visit our website at maginethepossibilities.net.
Limited scholarships are available for spiritual transformation coaching.
On the flip side, if you are able, please inquire about opportunities
to fund scholarships for those who cannot afford coaching fees.
View our archives!
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