To thine own self be true...

This quote taken from Hamlet Act 1, scene 3, 78, is good advice but, from a Catholic perspective lacks depth and can be a slippery slope. We were not made to be robotic imitations of each other yet, we are called to love our neighbor as ourselves. This can be difficult as we have all experience in our own families when our different temperaments clash. For example, I am one of the few introverts in my family and I recharge myself by spending time alone each day. I need to balance this out by making sure I spend time with the extroverts in my family because that is how I show that I care for them. A great book to read about the different temperaments is called The Temperament that God Gave You, by Art & Laraine Bennett. It does a good job of explaining the four basic temperaments of Choleric, Sanguine, Melancholic and Phlegmatic from a Catholic perspective including each temperaments strengths and weaknesses as well spiritual gifts and weaknesses that one can look for. It also provides examples of interactions with other temperaments especially in regards to parent and child as well as spousal interaction. Another book entitled, The Five Love Languages, by Dr Gary Chapman has also been very useful for me in finding the best way to love my family and friends. By showing my love to them in their primary love language whether that be quality time, gifts, touch, words, or acts of service.