My Temperament

I recently delved into studying the 4 temperaments a bit.  My friend Mary read The Temperaments God Gave Your Kids and recommended the book to me.  I decided to read it for 2 reasons.  1. Over the past few years I've gotten interested in the temperaments without really learning about them or delving in completetly... this would help me over the learning gap.  2. I'm constantly trying to figure out what works for my kids, so if this book could shine some light on individual traits in my kids, and what works, I'm in!  I am still trying to figure out what temperaments they all are and how I should handle each (so another post will come along once I have that all figured out), but Mary posted a link to a temperament quiz... so I took it.  The results were NOT surprising... they were what I and my temperament-interested friends thought I was.  Anyway, here is what the website/quiz said I was.... want into my mind, pay attention to these lists: 

(And in case you want to take the quiz, it's here http://www.writing.com/main/quiz/item_id/1145443-Temperament-Test)

Anyway, back to me: ;)

You scored 63. 

Temperament score range:
Sanguine: 20-35
Choleric: 36-51
Melancholy: 52-67
Phlegmatic: 68-80

Melancholy Temperament

Sensitive to anguish of others (I can see that)
Analytical (Um, YEAH)
Deep thinker  (At times)
Self-introspective (Yes)
Artistic or musical (At certain things)
Self-sacrificing (Not to get "ego"-y but yeah)
Poetic and philosophical (?)
Appreciates beauty (?)
Perfectionist with high standards (Have you met me?! YES!)
Detail conscious (Oh yeah.)
Neat and tidy (I try)
Organized (I love organizing)
Sees the problem (I see problems far to easily... call me Eyore)
Seeks creative solutions (Why, thank you)
Must finish what is started (YES)
Content to stay behind the scenes  (In most things)
Likes charts, numbers, and lists (It makes my organized brain happy)
Cautious to make friends (Not cautious... slow to warm up though)
Will listen to complaints (Doesn't bother me!)
Problem solver for others  (Unfortunately, I do like to give solutions... miss know it all)
Moved to tears with compassion  (Not that I will typically admit it, but yyyyeah)
Tries not to raise attention (Yup)
Serious (Yup)
Conscientious (That's nice)
Studious (In college ;)
Reflective (Yes)
Not practical--Dreamer (?)
Self-centered (Why yes, unforunately)
Pessimistic (I struggled with admitting this for years, but my glass is 1/2 empty... I'm a natural pessimist)
Moody (Uh huh)
Revengeful  (Don't cross me! ;)  Actually, I don't know that I'm revengeful, but..)
Skeptical (Yep)

^^^ That is very much me in a nut shell...

To find out your secondary temperament (because often you are more than 1 temperament), you can look back at the test and see if you chose the most A, B, C, or D answers... according to that, my secondary temperament is Phlegmatic   I have to give credit to my 2 friends Mary and Christa.  They both pegged me as a Melancholic Phlegmatic, long before this test.  

Here are the Phlegmatic traits: 

Phlegmatic temperament

Calm and collected (At my better times)
Quiet (I can be)
Witty (Only at times)
Sympathetic (My melncholic side takes over and I can me "cold" so I don't always come across sympathetic)
Kind (I try)
Inoffensive (I try)
Hides emotions  (Not sure)
Reconciled to life (?)
Not in a hurry (?)
Takes the good with the bad (yep)
Practical (Yeah)
Dry sense of humor (?)
Mediator (Sure)
Avoids confrontation and conflict (Yes)
Cool under pressure (Yes)
Takes the easiest way (Not always)
Good listener (I can be)
Likes to watch people (Sometimes)
Compassionate and concerned (Yes)
Pleasant (Ha... I would like to think I am)
Good administrative ability (Yes... remember, I like organization)
Intuitive (?)
Dependable (Yeah)
Efficient (I think so)
Slow and Lazy (Ha... I can be, but my Melancholic side overrides this one often)
Teaser/Sarcastic (Yes... sarcastic)
Selfish (Yep)
Stubborn (Yes)
Indecisive (Yes)
Detached observer  (Sure)

So I can tell I am less Phlegmatic because seeing the list, I didn't feel like I "fit" as well as I did with the Melancholic, but I'm not a put Mel...  I definitely have a touch of Phlegmatic  in me.  I am introspective, task-doing, but calm and levelheaded too.  The thing I'm learning that I have to be careful of... Melancholics make strict parents. :/  Guilty. It's interesting though.  From the book, and now this quiz, I really feel like I "get" my inner workings.  I understand me better... I have a feeling I'm still at the tip of the iceburg with this topic.  More to learn.  Very interesting. :)