Search Results: strength and weakness

When it comes to relationships, which of these are you?

• Champions: well-regarded figures who fight for a cause, representing a side either in a trial by combat or in a legal/moral debate, championing a cause either physically or verbally. In a relationship, the champion uses his/her words to defend and protect their spouse and their families. In terms of "Love Languages" these would be one who provides Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, and Intellectual/Emotional Gifts or Acts of Service. A champion doesn't necessarily have "a type" because he/she seeks to broaden their own horizon while broadening the horizon of their person of interest.
• Heroes: young warriors who get good things done with a sense of fearless bravery, often still "green" or untested in terms of their ability and experience, these young bloods are willing to meet any challenge head-on and with ferocity. In terms of "Love Languages" these would be the younger crowd dabbling in all five love languages till they find what works with their person of interest (so... each language in limited capacities, testing their own strengths/weaknesses) Words/Acts of Affirmation, Quality Time, Offering/Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch (empathetic, romantic and/or sexual). Heroes have some chaotic elements because of their relative lack of experience, but they tend to make up for it with the willingness to adapt/learn along the way.
• Warriors: seasoned heroes whose prowess withstood the test of time... They've overcome a variety of fears, hardships/defeat and conflict. They have resources and understand how the world works. They are fiercely protective of their own and experts at defending others. In "Love Languages," warriors' experience to hone in on their "type", to know what they value, want, need and can offer in a relationship; they are more sure-footed than the Hero, more guarded than the champion, with battle scars from previous relationships.

While book-smarts or street-smarts help a person in specific ways, Emotional Intelligence is what we use most in the real world -- it's the mindfulness, awareness and processing ability we have for both our feelings and the feelings of others.

Current research indicates that those with higher levels of EI draw others towards them... They're people who others genuinely want to be around for the long haul -- at work/school/relationships. Their kindness and compassion towards others shine through their EI, as does their ability to own up to their own decisions (instead of blaming them on others) and to treat others with respect and dignity.

Here 's a quick 20-point quiz for you guys and gals -- the most common signs of EI

(+1 for each point you "sort of understand" and +2 for each point you're really good at):

• Being able to know and accept yourself for who you are (with all your quirks and experiences)...
• Being able to accept responsibility for your actions and decisions...
• Being able to accept change as a standard part of life...
• Being able to control emotions rather than raging and lashing out and flying off the handle with verbal/physical outbursts...
• Being able to forgive yourself -- to show yourself some grace -- by leaving past mistakes in the past...
• Being able to talk through problems and challenges with others...
• Being aware of your own strengths -- and being able to admit to them...
• Being aware of your own weaknesses -- and being able to admit to them...
• Being modestly confident and poised -- and keeping your cool in challenging situations...
• Showing empathy and compassion -- putting yourself in another person’s shoes and seeing things from their perspective...

The scoring goes by 5s (see the poll, which keeps answers anonymous). Don't share your score in comments if you don't want to.

(Those with a low score wondering how to raise EI can search Google for free materials that are very helpful.)