Last year in February I got talking with a friend about in which order we come amidst our siblings and how it affects our personalities. When I looked it up online, I found this article which pretty much describes how I feel as the last-born of 4 children.
The older I’ve got, the more I have realised that I am more of a follower than a leader, because I followed the three that went before me. I am a people pleaser because I really wanted to please my older brothers and sister. After reading the article, it all made much more sense to me. Some of these characteristics have irritated me and I have wanted to change, but when I have broken out my mould, I haven’t always felt comfortable. If I need to lead, I can, but I find it easier being a people pleasing follower!
Here are 10 characteristics of my personality…generally…
1. I’m pretty easy going.
2. I’m not a perfectionist.
3. People are more important than things.
4. I am a follower.
5. I won’t dictate my strong desires over others for fear of hurting or offending them.
6. I won’t complain about food at a restaurant because I don’t want to be inconvenient.
7. I won’t criticize someone to their face because I don’t want to hurt them.
8. I won’t tell someone that they have hurt me because I don’t want them to feel bad.
9. I struggle to tell others what to do because I was raised being told what to do.
10. I’m a people pleaser.
As I have matured and got more confident in life, I’ve learned that influence is leadership. I influenced people by what I said on air, when I was on air, and I influence people by what I write. On radio it made me feel seriously accountable and many times inadequate. The way around that is I have made my life as Bible based as possible, so that I have a strong foundation on which I can fall back on. Mike has always been wonderful in encouraging me and accepting me.
So here’s the Birth order article that I picked up off the internet and have just pasted in here. The original article appears here.
Starts:
There are four basic positions in the family:
1. First-born, or “Child of the Father,” more attuned to the outside world.
2. Second-born, or “Child of the Mother,” more internally focused.
3. Third-born, or “Child of the Marriage,” most greatly affected by family members’ relationships – born into a complex network of relationships, where children suddenly outnumber parents focus on relationship issues, to feel connected to the others
first and most likely to be distressed by marital or other familial relationship difficulties
can also be stubborn and very introspective
4. Fourth-born, or “Child of the Family”, most concerned about how the entire family functions aims to perceive and understand the family as a whole. Tends to be expressive and loving, responding to any family member’s pain. Wants everyone to get along and is happy when the family is happy!
Fifths start over as firsts, sixths pick up at second, and so on.
An only child is viewed as first.
Twin birth order is based on the family’s perception.
Ends
Ha, I’m 4th. Do you know how often I’ve said, “I just want everyone to be happy!?”
It’s very interesting.
Whatever personality type you are, put God first. He knows you best.
Psalm 139:15-16
My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your book
before one of them came to be.
Yip, He knows me….and you!
And talking of birth order always reminds me of my wonderful mother. Had she lived, today she would have turned 84. Jesus once said ,”those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and they can no longer die; for they are like angels.” (Luke 20:35-36)
“They can no longer die; for they are like angels.” Lovely thought.
These are the days.
Keep the smile going!
God bless you!
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂
Source: www.education.com