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Usually, my gut instinct is correct. However, I'll let my tendencies to empathize get in the way, and override my gut instinct. For example, sometimes I have gut instincts that someone has harmful intentions, but if I don't distance myself soon enough, i start empathizing with that person and get in this internal push-and-pull of police sirens going off on one side and my understanding of the person on the other.
So the thing is -- I met a person a while back. My gut instinct: he's a nice dude, just in the wrong crowd. a lot of potential, but again... in the wrong crowd. I could tell that he was feeling 'trapped' in his life- this was the people he grew up with, the world he knew, but still i could sense the real him on the inside trying to get our and be himself. This guy was an INFJ, too, by the way. Anyway, most of my friends and people I knew disapproved of him - mainly because of the image he portrayed (living in the fast lane, living on the edge) and just WHO he was i guess, though I'm not exactly sure what they didn't like about him. (most of my friends are on the conservative, home-body, studious side, but i guess he is a little reckless..).
The thing is... my gut instinct tells me this guy is harmless and I really believe in him. He once told me I was the only one that believed in him and understood him. The thing is, everyone around me is telling me this guy is bad news, i'm too good for him, he doesnt treat me right, etc. I understand where my friends are coming from, and no matter how much I tell myself I think it's okay, I can't help but be influenced by my friend's opinions because I know that they are just trying to protect me and just want me happy. When I told them about his good aspects, they let things be- although they dont really like him, if i like him as a friend, they' trust my judgment (even though they still think he's a jerk). The thing is, I am greatly hesitating in contacting this person (we've lost touch for a while) and his birthday is coming up so it's an opportunity to open things up again with a short birthday greeting. Although my gut instinct tells me he is OK, how do I account for everyone in my life that disagrees with my gut instinct? and the fact that his lifestyle is not in tune with his own internal desires? (basically, he is living a lifestyle that he is not happy with. the people he hangs out with, the reckless things he does with them, he says he doesn't want). Should I go with my gut instinct on this? INFJ to INFJ?
So the thing is -- I met a person a while back. My gut instinct: he's a nice dude, just in the wrong crowd. a lot of potential, but again... in the wrong crowd. I could tell that he was feeling 'trapped' in his life- this was the people he grew up with, the world he knew, but still i could sense the real him on the inside trying to get our and be himself. This guy was an INFJ, too, by the way. Anyway, most of my friends and people I knew disapproved of him - mainly because of the image he portrayed (living in the fast lane, living on the edge) and just WHO he was i guess, though I'm not exactly sure what they didn't like about him. (most of my friends are on the conservative, home-body, studious side, but i guess he is a little reckless..).
The thing is... my gut instinct tells me this guy is harmless and I really believe in him. He once told me I was the only one that believed in him and understood him. The thing is, everyone around me is telling me this guy is bad news, i'm too good for him, he doesnt treat me right, etc. I understand where my friends are coming from, and no matter how much I tell myself I think it's okay, I can't help but be influenced by my friend's opinions because I know that they are just trying to protect me and just want me happy. When I told them about his good aspects, they let things be- although they dont really like him, if i like him as a friend, they' trust my judgment (even though they still think he's a jerk). The thing is, I am greatly hesitating in contacting this person (we've lost touch for a while) and his birthday is coming up so it's an opportunity to open things up again with a short birthday greeting. Although my gut instinct tells me he is OK, how do I account for everyone in my life that disagrees with my gut instinct? and the fact that his lifestyle is not in tune with his own internal desires? (basically, he is living a lifestyle that he is not happy with. the people he hangs out with, the reckless things he does with them, he says he doesn't want). Should I go with my gut instinct on this? INFJ to INFJ?