The 25 Body Type Diet

The Body Type Cafe




A Conversation with a Thyroid Body Type


Previous: Thymus
Listen in on the Body Type Dialogue!

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.

"Julia, how are you? I haven't seen you for a while."

"Hi, Gorgio. Pull up a chair and we can catch up."

"Thanks."

"I've been traveling and I just got back from Fiji."

"How was it?"

"I loved it!"

"That's great. You must have needed a vacation."

"Absolutely. You know how much I get caught up in my work. There's never a short-age of long days at the office."

"Believe me, I know. It takes one to know one. Remember, I'm a Thyroid type, too."

"That's right, you are. That reminds me, did you ever get the information you wanted about Thyroid types?"

"Some, but I was hoping I'd have a chance to talk with you when you got back."

"I have plenty of time right now. So what would you like to know?"

"I wanted to talk to you and find out how similar we are in our behavior, since we're both Thyroid types."

"I've been wondering about that, too. Okay, then let me ask you this, how are you with responsibility?"

"That's one of my trademarks. I make sure that things get done. I've often gone to great lengths to fulfill my obligations, sometimes even at my own expense. In fact, one time I remember working on a project for a client. We needed to have an important section of a book printed but had some hardware problem with the computer. So I had to take the informa-tion over to the printers in the middle of the night. It was like mission impossible, running through the streets of the city at 2 a.m., overcoming all obstacles in my way. I finally got it all taken care of. My co-workers had given up early on, and had gone home, but I went the extra mile. I also thrive on doing things worthwhile, and I've been told I'm often idealistic."



"So am I. In fact, I really want to make a contribution to the world."

"How are you at tuning in to people?"

"I can usually tell whether people are coming from their heads or their emotions. This actually tends to help me to be able to look at both sides of something, and to be able to communicate its essence."

"For me, I find I have a dual nature. With some people I can be quite sociable, even animated. Yet, I can also be soft-spoken and reserved to the point of appearing..."

"Detached and withdrawn, or even cold, aloof, and secretive?"

"That's it."

"I know. I'm the same way. Even as a child, I harbored an uncomfortable sense of being different. I was shy, cautious, and experienced myself as misunderstood or alone. I learned to turn inward and cultivate a certain emotional self-sufficiency and self-nurturing."

"I never felt like I fit into a clique or group either. I was in a group all my own until I got a computer. Then life was good. I was understood. My computer and I became great friends."

"You're such a joker."

"I am?"

"Yes."

"Being in a group all my own did, however, result in more of an introspective development. I really found I have less of a need to share what's going on with myself than do other people."

"You know, at times, Thyroids can bridge the gap between the cerebral and the sensuous."

"Meaning what?"

"Meaning that we can be very serious intellectually and, in fact, in our whole orientation to life, studying subjects that capture our attention intensively and in depth. But we're also very aware of and attuned to our senses, especially the sense of touch. I also have a keen interest in things aesthetic, whether it's music, theater, or fine art."

"For me, music is where my interests lie, but I do love movies too."

"What about musicals and plays?"

"Phantom of the Opera was great. Saw it in '89. Front row in San Francisco. Loved it!"

"It's funny. Thyroids are not really very extroverted, but we're not hermits either. I have a need for privacy and independence. My independence can be seen in my relationships and my work habits where I can function with autonomy. At work, I feel comfortable planning and executing even the most elaborate projects with minimal assistance."

"Do you feel as though you are self-contained?"

"Although I can enjoy others and fit in well with them, I typically hold something of myself back. So yes, I guess you could say that I am. Unfortunately, it makes it difficult for people to get to know me or get close to me."

"I feel that way too. In fact, I used to party a lot."

"How was that for you?"

"I used to have lengthy conversations with the potted plants."

"Have you thought of standup comedy for a career?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"I don't think I'm that funny."

"You're right."

"Did you always talk to the plants at parties?"

"Actually, now that I have more experience in that type of social environment, it's easier for me to be myself and meet people."

"That's good."

"I found that a lot of my caution around people was because of my sensitivity, but now that I understand it, I can use my sensitivity as an asset."

"How so?"

"My intuitiveness, perceptiveness, and imagination allow me to generally be in touch with my feelings, but I can be quite aware of and susceptible to the feelings of others as well."

"I'm the same way, but I also have an emotional fragility or vulnerability that I'm aware of. I'm more likely to stuff my emotions or evade areas of potential conflict so I don't disturb the somewhat delicate equilibrium or relational harmony I have with others."

"I don't feel emotionally fragile, Julia, but I do tend to want to avoid conflict. At the same time, though, I don't usually care what other people think. It doesn't give me any psychological scars, but I do know other body types that do worry a lot about what other people think. Most of the time, I find it more prudent to smooth things over, or let them slide, than to risk upsetting myself or others."

"When I confront conflict, I tend to do so gingerly and indirectly. What about you?"

"I may not communicate right away unless I'm sure there's a big enough problem to warrant my attention. On the other hand, when it's time to talk, I feel that I'm conscious of the other person's feelings and can be fairly direct and straightforward."

"So why do you wait to communicate?"

"I'm very mellow and easy-going in a relationship, and I tend to get along with everybody. So if there's a problem, it's usually the other person, not me."

"Okay, so I take it you can do no wrong."

"What can I say; chicks dig me, guys want to be more like me."

"Yeah, right."

"It's true. The world actually does revolve around me."

"It's nice you have such a large beautiful mane of hair to go with that large ego of yours."

"Why, thank you."

"Gorgio, do you ever feel discouraged?"

"Yes, I can feel down or irritable when I become skeptical about my efforts making any real difference in my work, my relationships, or the world."

"That's true for me as well. In fact, making a difference is such a deeply felt need for me that I often find myself striving single mindedly to fulfill that end."

"So what's that all about?"

"It's closely related to our own self-nurturing and fulfillment. Because of it, we can fall into the trap of taking things too seriously or taking on too much by ourselves. In our intensity, we can overextend ourselves and end up depleting our energy and running on empty."

"That's true. Before I started following my Thyroid custom diet, I used to run on empty a lot and end up crashing because of it. I also tend to run the risk of assisting others to the point where there isn't enough time left for myself. I really need to strike a balance and make sure I have my private time, too. It's really important to me to have time alone to regroup and nurture myself."

"You know, of course, that by nature, we are one of the most reserved types."

"That's true."

"In general, I don't allow my emotions to get the better of me. I sometimes come across as much more detached or unfeeling than I really am."

"Like Mr. Spock from Star Trek?"

"At times, yes. But at least I smile."

"Okay, I'll give you that, but what about when you get caught up in your projects?"

"When I become overly focused on one of my many mental pursuits, I sometimes close myself off to others and become almost oblivious to my emotional concerns. When I reach a decision on something, it's usually very difficult for me to consider anyone else's viewpoint. Not that I lack empathy, but the intensity of my mental preoccupations may undermine my ability to perceive and adequately appreciate other people's opinions. Luckily, many Thyroids successfully outgrow this negative tendency."

"Experience is a great teacher."

"Yes, it is. In fact, I'm much more easygoing than I used to be."

"Have you ever had anyone remark about your decision making process?"

"Well, as a Thyroid type, I'm naturally careful and methodical in my decision making. I take pride in figuring out what needs to be done in any given situation. So I think people can understand and respect that. I just don't act on impulse like other people. I'm oriented to the world more through my mind than my emotions or senses. Still, there's a sort of passion in the way I operate, which others typically see as my intensity."

"You definitely can be quite intense, Julia. When you make up your mind to do something, I've seen you exhibit a strong will and considerable determination. I get that way too. There have been numerous times where I've devoted whatever time is necessary to clear the various hurdles in my path, to deliberately persevere."

"That's a great feeling, isn't it?"

"It is indeed."

"What kind of careers do Thyroids excel in?"

"Thyroids show dedication that almost guarantees they'll successfully complete whatever endeavors they've decided to undertake. Thyroids are hard working and frequently idealistic about their chosen pursuits."

"In many ways, my happiness and sense of well-being hinges on my experiencing what I'm doing as worthwhile, or as making a contribution like we talked about earlier."

"So, what kinds of careers do Thyroids usually choose?"

"Vocationally, they choose careers they consider to be worthwhile or contributing, such as a healer, a teacher, or a performing artist."

"The term "worthwhile" might also relate to our being in some way involved with prod-ucts or information designed to help humanity or the environment. I know I have a strong desire to really make a difference in this area."

"Whether conscious or not, what motivates Thyroids above all else is our drive toward self-realization. And, generally, I experience this through serving others, even though, tem-peramentally, I may continue to regard myself as somewhat apart or different from them."

"Isn't it just fascinating how much we have in common, Julia?"

"It truly is."

"How about another café mocha? I'm buying."

"Sure. And Gorgio..."

"Yes?"

"It's really great to see you again."

"You too, Julia."

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