The Color Code

For those of us who are finding ourselves, I recently read a great book, "The Color Code".

There are four "personality" colors.  Each personality type has strengths and weaknesses.   Each personality is motivated by different values.  Red personalities are motivated by power, blue personalities are motivated by intimacy (as in emotional intimacy), yellows are motivated by fun, and yellows are motivated by peace.  Yes, I'm oversimplifying it.  

The color code concept has been around for a long time.  I remember taking it when I was in my early teens.  If I remember correctly, my colors were blue (dominant), and yellow (secondary).  At the time, I was told this was a good combination.

Over time, I know I've changed.  Sometimes I test more blue/white.  But, as Taylor Hartman says, our main color does not change.  

The Color Code has a personality test in it, to help you as you read.  Or you can take it here.  I found it interesting.  But remember, every personality test is limited, and will not tell you everything.  

The book tells specific specifics about each personality, along with interactions between different personality types.  This helped me to better understand my relationships with my children, and other people around me.  

Here is where you can purchase the book in hard cover and in Kindle.

The Promise

"The promise" is a book about a woman who became paralyzed when a friend playfully pushed her into a pool.

I love this story because  Rachelle has a positive attitude and a spunky spirit.  She hold on to her friends, and family, and never blames her friend for the accident.

There are a couple parts in the book that may be offensive to some.  There  is some swearing, and drinking and partying and nudity (not graphic in my opinion).  The book talks some about physical intimacy, and how it changed after the accident.  I felt like the point about sex were not graphic, and were simply factual and emotional. The author was not LDS, she is Jewish, and she does touch on her Jewish traditions briefly.

There are a few quotes I love: "You don't know a lot about yourself until you are tested".

I love this because even strong people don't know how strong they are until AFTER they experience crisis.

Rochelle's dad makes a comment about how we shouldn't live for old memories, but we should make new ones.  In any crisis, things will change.  Making new memories is a way to move on.

Friendship is a huge theme in this book.  Friendship is essential to resiliency, and friendships can change because of a challenge. I've seen friendships grow stronger or weaker during crisis.

Another theme is love.  And not superficial love, but true, real, mature love.  There are so many example of lust/superficial love these days that it was refreshing to see something genuine.

Click here for the  Kindle edition and  here for Hardcover.

The Hiding Place

Recently I reread "The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten Boom.  It is about a Christian woman during World War II.  This holocaust story is full of hope and faith.  She has amazing trust in God, which pulls her through the challenges she endures.

One section I particularly like is when Corrie and her sister, Betsie, chose to be thankful for their circumstances.  I also love the theme of forgiveness that is throughout the entire book.

While I don't want to give too much away (hence the brief review), I do admire the resilience Corrie and her sister display.  She has learned how to be resilient, and because of her beliefs, choices she makes are easy for her.  She is showing self-esteem, spirituality, and hope while finding meaning.  These are all tenants of a resilient person.

I highly recommend The Hiding Place (hard copy) and The Hiding Place (Kindle edition).