Imagine yourself surrounded by soft jazz, cushy chairs and hot mocha espressos. You've just entered your favorite cafe - and you're there to curl up, relax, and eavesdrop on the latest! This is no ordinary cafe with ordinary conversation. Each one of our Body Type Dialogue stories illustrates how the different body types think, react and deal with each other. You may read a story about a Heart man gushing over a cute latte-drinking Adrenal girl. Or, a Thyroid man may be discussing his marketing budget with his Lymph supervisor. Wherever the conversation leads you, you'll come away with a better understanding of the 25 Body Types, and learn how they may react in real-life conversations.
We hope you enjoy these whimsical stories and they help you gain a deeper understanding of the 25 Body Types.
"Thomas, good to see you again. What would you like to drink?"
"How about a Vanilla Latte, Sandy."
"Comin' right up."
"So what's new, Thomas? Still looking for Ms. Right?"
"I was until now, I think I found her."
"Sorry to disappoint you, Tommy, but...."
"No offense, Sandy, but I was referring to that gorgeous woman sitting at the table over there."
"Where?"
"The one there, reading at that table by the window."
"Oh, you mean Brynna."
"You know her?"
"Sure, she comes in here all the time, I'm surprised you haven't seen her before."
"So is she seeing anyone? What do you know about her, Sandy?"
"I know you're wasting your time."
"Wasting my time? Why's that?"
"Because you don't have much in common. She just happens to be a Lymph body type, inherently one of the most physically attractive of all the 25 types. Notice the well-sculpted features and excellent muscle tone; those are frequent characteristics of her type."
"She's beautiful, and I love the way she dresses. She's got taste."
"Yes, she does. That's why I'm telling you to give it up."
"Thanks a lot, Sandy."
"I don't mean to dash your hopes, but-"
"You don't think we'd be compatible. Yea, I heard. So what do you know about Lymph body types? You could at least tell me so I could have an understanding of why I should for-get about her."
"All right, I guess that's fair enough. For starters, you're a couch potato."
"So what's wrong with that?"
"Nothing, unless you want to date a Lymph body type. You see, Lymph types are extremely active. The Iymphatic system is activated principally through physical movement. Lymph types require a substantial amount of bodily activity. Generally, they need to experience considerable stimulation, either physical or mental, if they're to maintain a state of well-being. She told me she went out with a golfer once, but all he wanted to do was golf, and he wasn't spontaneous at all. First of all, anything routine or lacking variety gets old quickly with a Lymph type, and secondly golfing is not enough physical stimulation for them. Lymph types need to be with someone who is very active and spontaneous, someone who likes to travel and can share running, rollerblading, swimming or whatever they are into. What stimulates or "moves" them is learning something new or expressing themselves physically, emotionally, or intellectually. Examples might include such things as aerobics, enlivening encounters with others, music and dance, personal or spiritual growth workshops, or creative pursuits."
"So what happens when they don't have that kind of stimulation?"
"Without stimulation, challenge or excitement they tend to become discouraged, lethargic, stagnant or even depressed."
"So you're saying that to keep from getting bored they require a good deal of variety and change."
"Yes, even change through minor sensory alterations - say, in color, smell, or texture - may at times alone be sufficient to keep them alert and interested. Additionally, more than most other types, Lymphs seem to experience a lift in spirits when they change their physical place of residence, which they tend to do with some frequency."
"Really? Does she move a lot?"
"She's only been here for about three months. She used to live in Hawaii. In fact, she moves about once every year, but she told me it was just a coincidence. She was really moving because her neighbors were too noisy, or the area wasn't as safe as she wanted."
"I don't think I could move that often, even if I had noisy neighbors."
"You'd just turn up the TV Iouder, wouldn't you?"
"Cute, Sandy. So what else do you know about Lymph types?"
"Do you know what Iymph is?"
"No."
"Lymph carries the fluids and large particles away from the tissues. The Iymphatic system is similar to your circulatory system, but it doesn't have a pump such as the heart. Instead, for lymph to circulate it needs physical movement..."
"Such as exercise lends."
"Right! Lymph body types, due to their nature, need a variety of movement and change in their life."
"What else?"
"They also tend to judge themselves by their accomplishments, so challenges often provide opportunities for growth. Overcoming things that stifle their feelings of aliveness or creativity build their sense of self-worth, while those challenges that are creative make them feel more alive. When people give Brynna negative feedback about her running, and tell her that she shouldn't push herself so hard, she just lets it roll off her back, but on a personal level she likes to challenge herself so her accomplishments help her to prove to herself she can create what she wants. Like I've been saying, stimulation, either mental or physical, is essential, but not both at the same time. That tends to overwhelm or exhaust them."
"What about relationships?"
"Lymph types are romantically inclined. They usually enter a relationship with a great deal of optimism. When they are attracted to a potential mate, they're likely to throw themselves totally into the relationship. They may come on very strong - focusing almost all their attention on the other person and outward appearances, rather than on what may actually be taking place below the surface."
"She sounds like my type of woman."
"Fortunately for you, Lymph types may become so absorbed by idealized fantasies of the relationship's potential that they lose sight of what may be a much less promising reality."
"Great, so I have a chance after all."
"Perhaps temporarily. Lymph types want to be "up front". They're likely to reveal themselves more than may be appropriate during the earlier stages of a relationship, but Brynna has actually grown a lot and evolved beyond her old habits. She told me she used to stay in relationships past when it was time to move on. She used to compromise herself too much, ignoring reality, or coloring it to make it look better than it was, thinking that things would work out, that the other person would eventually get a career, or change, or what have you. Since then she has learned to be true to herself, not settle, and now believes she can have what she wants."
"What else do you know about Lymph types and relationships?"
" Relationships constitute their single greatest challenge. Seeking approval and acceptance from others, and wishing to avoid criticism, they may suppress their own needs. Stifling such expression not only can prompt feelings of tension and constriction, but can also reawaken deeper feelings of rejection or personal inadequacy. In their need to feel secure they can simply give too much of themselves. Let me ask you a question. How are you at communication, Thomas?"
"Fairly good."
"Great, because Lymph types can tend to put strain on their relationship by continually questioning the other person about their thoughts and feelings. They highly need to be reassured that they're cared for, loved, and appreciated. Without such reassurances, they can experience a variety of troubling doubts. Of course, such distrust or suspicion can end up becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy, since the urgency of their questioning may lead the other person to question the relationship's viability."
"So you mean that I might feel overwhelmed or "cornered" and react negatively?"
"Yes, and like I told you earlier, Lymphs tend to work too hard and long on a relationship, doing their best to make it succeed even after its limited potential has become fairly obvious."
"Is she open when it comes to talking about things that bother her?"
"She told she has a hard time with that only because she tends to think about things a lot before saying anything. She likes to have time to think about the situation, and what she is going to say before she says it. It's just her way of making sure she's not reacting inappropriately. She likes to make sure her points are valid, and a lot of times she waits because her words don't always come out right in the spur of the moment. She wishes they did, but instead the right words come to her usually ten minutes later when the situation is over and the other person is gone. By that time it's too late, the timing is off, and she'd feel weird to bring it up by calling them later. A lot of times she keeps things to herself for a while, then she finally gets them off her chest. But, like I said, that's just an area of personal challenge for her. She has a lot of strengths as well."
"Tell me about those."
"Lymph types are typically extroverted, sociable, and genuinely caring and helpful toward others. They're rarely judgmental, and they're capable of accepting people for who and what they are, so they work well with others. In fact, Brynna is a registered nurse. She got into that because she was intrigued by the medical field and she likes to care, help and nurture others. Lymphs are very effective in the human service fields. They function comfortably and well in such positions as chiropractor, physical therapist, nursing, massage therapy, and teaching, especially in such areas as physical education, and yoga, self defense, and the martial arts in general."
"I'm surprised with all that working out, she's not a coach or a personal trainer."
"Well, actually, because they tend to be very well coordinated and athletic, it's not uncommon for them to become professional athletes, coaches, or trainers."
"Is she just a jock or does she like the arts and culture too?"
"Lymph types actually have a lively interest in things artistic and they really enjoy being creative, or expressing themselves imaginatively."
"How so?"
"Either through art, dance, playing an instrument, or designing or furnishing their personal living space with a certain flare, which is Brynna's talent. She could have been a leading interior designer. She also has excellent taste and an eye for fashion."
"I can see that."
"Lymph types typically take great pride in their physical appearance, choosing their clothes and applying their makeup with considerable care. Delving into their creative side and doing these things can help counteract the boredom they're susceptible to when they allow their lives to become too routine."
"So is Brynna a routine type of person?"
"Sometimes. Lymph types do like to plan ahead at times so that they don't have to worry about anything. They enjoy a routine of exercise. But even there they like to have a change of scenery, so laps at a track wouldn't quite do for them. They plan ahead not because they feel threatened by anything new or untried, but instead they simply like to stay on top of things. They can get stuck in a routine that is limiting to them when their insecurities get the better of them, but when feeling more sure of themselves, like Brynna, they're capable of living almost totally "in the now." At these times Lymph types can act freely, in the spur of the moment and welcome change, variety, and the opportunity to express their spontaneity and zest for life."
"So is she some care-free, happy-go-lucky type of person living in the moment?"
"Not always. She told me that she does tend to worry now and then about little things."
"Oh good, so she is human after all."
"Of course."
"So is there anything else I should know about her before I go over there and talk to her?"
"I suppose it couldn't hurt to know about how she handles work. Lymphs experience a task or project as worthwhile or challenging, and are efficient and reliable. They can also be quite adept at handling details. When an endeavor begins to bore them, however, they may at times become distracted, inattentive, or inefficient. Brynna told me that anything that gets monotonous, too regimented or lacking in flexibility really bores her. Oh, and by the way, Lymph types are not at all procrastinators like you. As soon as a project has been adequately defined for them, they like to undertake it promptly, especially since they're uncomfortable with things hanging over their head."
"How does she handle stress?"
"Through exercise and running."
"I knew that."
"Okay, Romeo, that's everything. Oh, and she likes romance and comedy movies."
"Thanks, Sandy, I'm going over there to introduce myself before she leaves."
"Well, you know what they say. Opposites attract. Good luck."
"Hi, how are you? My name is Thomas."
"Hi, Thomas. I'm Brynna."
"Do you mind if I join you?"
"No, there's plenty of room at this booth."
"I was just talking with a mutual friend of ours."
"Who is that?"
"Sandy, the waitress here."
"Oh, yes."
"She tells me you are running in an upcoming marathon."
"Yes, the Boston Marathon. And you?"
"Uhh, the Star Trek marathon."
"Star Trek marathon?"
"I'm surprised you haven't heard of it, it's been around for years."