As May approaches, some may think of the start of summer with warming temperatures, flowers blooming, and bright sunny skies. I, however, recognize May as a celebration of Star Wars because the fourth of May is known as Star Wars Day. Since I was born, Star Wars has consistently been a part of my life. When I couldn't sleep as a newborn, my dad would watch Star Wars with me until I fell asleep. As a child, I would play with all kinds of Star Wars toys from toy lightsabers to the Wii Lego Star Wars game. To this day, the music still enchants me. From my teen years and into my young adulthood, I continue to watch the movies regularly and reflect on the franchise's impact on my life. 

In the Star Wars series, the force is a type of energy that when focused internally can lead to an effect externally. For example, Yoda can internalize the energy that surrounds all of us and cause a sunken X-Wing to rise out of the water. While watching the movies, I used to feel jealous that I couldn't access the force like the characters could. It felt like a superpower that was both powerful and persuasive and yet completely unattainable in real life. In my teens, and as I matured, it dawned on me, just like the two suns on Tatooine dawning every morning, that the force can be used any time I needed it.  

It occurred to me that I could access the force through focused awareness of one's personality strengths and stretches. For instance, my preferences are ESFJ (Extroversion, Sensing, Feeling, and Judging) and when I, without awareness, encounter a conflict with my sister whose preferences are INTJ (Introversion, Intuition, Thinking, and Judging), I can let her expression of her preference for Thinking cause me to feel a negative emotion. Her direct and critical approach can come across, to me, as cold, detached, and condescending. On the flip side, she would often call me overly sensitive, exceedingly personal, and too accommodating, her reaction to the expression of my Feeling preference. 

But I have learned through my awareness of type I can access the force, channel my thoughts, and reflect on how I've learned that even though my sister and I differ in some respects, we never intend to offend or cause each other to feel negative or hurt feelings. With my use of the force, instead of reacting to the situation in an adverse manner, I can help solve this conflict by realizing our differences don't mean there is any malicious intent. I have learned to value her objective, logical mind, and she is learning to appreciate my empathetic, caring, and helpful nature. I know this because she often tells me what a kind and loving person I am. She, too, is becoming aware of type differences. In the end, we can both leave the argument with a better attitude than how we felt at the beginning. 

Everyone has the capability to access the "type" force and make the world a more understanding place. It starts with becoming aware of your personality type and what strengths and stretches you have. Next, familiarizing yourself with the personality type of someone close to you will give you a better understanding of differing personality types. You may even grow to appreciate those differences. Finally, with all this learned information, you can use the force to recognize how different personality types interact and despite those differences, can still form successful, happy, and healthy relationships. 

Now, my Padawans, go forth into this world and become your own Master Jedi using the force, the "type" force, that's not just in the galaxy far, far away. 

May the Fourth be with you! 

In this first article, of the series "From the Kids", Yvonne Nelson-Reid is dipping into her long history to share stories about the impact of type, on the kids who take the MMTIC assessment, from the perspective of the kids themselves.

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People tend to make inaccurate assumptions about themselves when faced with a problem to solve that requires them to go outside of their natural personality type. We can all use our opposite preferences when a situation requires it, however, it might feel awkward or uncomfortable, and we may be less effective in how we use them, leading to stress and a sense of personal failure. Children may experience this at a higher rate.

In this second article of "From the Kids" series, Yvonne Nelson-Reid chronicles a moment in her daughter's journey of understanding personality type differences and the compromises needed to succeed in school.

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Starting with an understanding of communication styles can make a difference in all our relationships.

In this third article of "From the Kids" Series, Yvonne Nelson-Reid discusses how understanding type differences can help teenagers navigate the complications of high school dating. Her teenage daughter describes the positive impact that learning about, and appreciating, communication style differences based on personality type, had on her own relationship.

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We are excited to add a new article to our From the Kids series, because this time it is written by a kid! Please welcome Gracyn Nelson-Reid, a junior in university, who grew up in a home where personality type differences were understood and appreciated. She shares the value of family traditions during holidays and special events, like Halloween, as it relates to her personality type.

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Gracyn Nelson-Reid, writing an article for the From the Kids series, tells us how her preference for ESFJ and her boyfriend's preference for INTP has caused numerous disagreements between them due to their complete opposite personality types. It hasn't been easy for them but understanding their personality type differences has provided a framework for better, more respectful communication.

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Autumn brings forth a resurgence of gratitude for many, but those experiencing hardship in life might need a little help to make every day a day for giving thanks. Gracyn Nelson-Reid describes her challenging year and how understanding her own personality type has helped in her healing process.

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