True Colors
May 31, 2008 05:00PM
● By
Super Admin
According to scientific definition, the color we see is the effect that
light of varying wavelengths and frequencies has on our eye and the
optical nerves. Applying that definition to something like a rainbow is
kind of depressing. It’s like the “no Santa Claus” theory of Christmas
– it just sucks the fun right out. Science aside, color is fun and
dramatic, and we use it to tell ourselves all kinds of things. Consider
the meanings we give to roses – white for apology, red for love, yellow
for jealousy. Or the way color can be used to express emotion in art.
Or, to encourage a certain type of mood, your interior design colors
orchestrate this example. Red is thought to bring energy and warmth,
where green is seen to be relaxing; yellow is cheerful; and blue is
cool and calming. Anecdotal stories about the emotional effects of
color are pretty eyebrow raising. Years ago I read about a color called
“Baker’s Pink,” supposedly used in insane asylums in the 1920s for its
calming effect on patients. Legend has it that the color had the
complete opposite effect, bringing on violent reactions among the
patients, and consequently the use and manufacturing of the color was
hastily discontinued (and let’s face it, painting any room pink is
really just asking for trouble).Whether the effect of color on
our moods is real or imagined, it’s a pleasant way to view the world.
Sure, it’s just light reflecting off our brain or whatever, but that
doesn’t mean we can’t believe in our own “color Santa.” With
the growing popularity of personal development in careers and
relationships, a number of organizations have started using color to
identify personality types. (I’m purple. Can’t you tell?) One such
organization is True Colors, Inc. (true-colors.com). True Colors
applies colors (Blue, Gold, Green and Orange) to four basic personality
types derived from existing psychological studies (in particular the
work of clinical psychologist David Keirsey). Participants build their
own ‘color spectrum’ based on their personality strengths and
weaknesses, and the color spectrum can then be applied in larger ways
to help determine a career or educational path. A program like True
Colors allows participants to connect with their own strengths and
weaknesses with a fun and entertaining approach that allows people to
relax and better embrace new ideas. An approach like this is
really a way to see your strengths with fresh eyes. True Colors has a
career and educational focus, particularly beneficial to corporations,
schools, government and non-profit organizations. True colors helps us
to better understand our own personality needs and values, thus
recognizing others’ personality traits. You can image how not only an
understanding, but also an awareness of personality needs and values
can positively impact a workplace, classroom or home environment. So if
you’re feeling a little brown or gray, and need to find your inner
orange, gold, green or blue, then maybe it’s time to seek out your
inner rainbow and identify your own true colors. •THE COLORSOrange
– Orange personalities act on a moment’s notice; are witty, charming
and spontaneous. They consider life a game, and are impulsive and
generous. Oranges need fun, variety, stimulation and excitement and are
described as optimistic, eager and bold. They value skill,
resourcefulness, and courage, and are natural trouble shooters,
performers and competitors.Gold
– Gold personalities follow the rules and respect authority. Always
loyal, dependable and prepared, they have a strong sense of what is
right and wrong in life. They need to be useful and to belong. Faithful
and stable, sensible and organized, they value home, family and
tradition. Those whose brightest color is gold are natural preservers,
helpful, good citizens and are caring and concerned.Green
– Green personalities seek knowledge and understanding as they are
analytical and conceptual and live life by their own standards. Cool,
calm and collected, they value intelligence, insight, fairness and
justice. They are inventive, logical perfectionists who can think in
the abstract, are investigative and hypothetical. Those who have green
as their brightest color are natural non-conformists, visionaries and
natural problem solvers.Blue
– Blue personalities need to feel unique and authentic. They are
enthusiastic, warm, compassionate, sympathetic and personal. In life
they look for meaning and significance. Natural communicators, blue
personalities are sincere and idealistic with a need to contribute, to
encourage and to care. They value integrity and unity in relationships,
are natural romantics and nurturers.*Printed with permission from True Colors, Inc.
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