About the Name: "Ballasts & Sails" - part 2

No profile can truly define who a person is. This truth must be clearly established right up front. We each combine an array of varying characteristics, each of these to differing degrees, and the result is the ‘masterpiece’ that is uniquely you.

But commonalities abound, and the identification of these is interesting and often insightful.
At the heart of such discussion is one model: the word picture of a sailing vessel and its two components, the sail and the ballast.

The sail (unfurled, freely catching the wind at the topmost level of the ship) represents a default behavior, thinking, and perspective along the following lines:

**Vision, goal setting, dreams and potential
**High (often unrealistic) standards and expectations
**Dissatisfaction with status quo
**Discomfort with the mundane
**Pushing forward to see and attain full potential
**Pursuit of delight in life’s journey

The ballast (operating at the lowest level of the ship, providing balance) alternately represents a default behavior, thinking, and perspective along the following lines:

**Reliability and dependability
**Responsible, ongoing accomplishment of routine tasks
**Perseverance and balance amid stressful life experience
**Often a support, behind-the-scenes orientation
**Tenacity, a “buck up & soldier on” “it is what it is, deal with it” mentality
**Low (‘realistic’) expectations and often, low priority/importance of pleasure in life’s journey

Now, let me hasten to say that in a balanced, Spirit filled individual the strengths of both these two models would be demonstrated (and hopefully are). Indeed, it is characteristics of each of these that are needed to provide balance and demonstrate maturity in our lives. These qualities are not exclusive of each other!

But, identifying at a core level which one you think you are can be very helpful.

I would hasten to offer several sub-categories, as well:
After first identifying the primary sail or ballast component, each also could further divide in:
**Optimist or Pessimist
And
**Emotionally influenced or Not-so-emotionally influenced.

So, one could be a SAIL-PESSIMIST-EMOTIONALLY INFLUENCED (S/E/EI)
Another, a BALLAST-OPTIMIST-NOT SO EMOTIONALLY INFLUENCED (B/O/NSEI)

An assortment of combinations is possible. And as I have sought to understand and love those around me, I have found this identification model very helpful.

Are you a ‘sail’ or‘ballast’ at heart? Chances are, I’ve already got you pegged. :-)