Though initially something of a mystery, the title of the Sherman Brothers’ 1976 musical adaptation of "Cinderella" is the primary clue to its value. "The Slipper and the Rose" proposes a symmetry, a duality of attention, in how it treats the main leads and their situations. And it is in these complementary and crossing paths …
Continue reading “The Slipper and The Rose”—Symmetry in Storytelling
It may well be that certain personality types gravitate toward particular genres of fiction; at the very least, it can be said that some genres embody many of the unique attributes of personality articulated in the functions of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). In this system, each personality type has a dominant preference for either …
1. "Bat Masterson" | Enjoy being who you are. Masterson, while trapped in a mine: “Well, William Barclay, looks like you’re going to die in the company you love best.” Whether it’s the ever-present half-smile or the satisfied twirling of his infamous cane, Bat Masterson, played by the ever-charming Gene Barry, clearly enjoys who he …
Continue reading Life Lessons from Three Classic TV Westerns
“Try keeping a diary” and “Journalling really helps!” are common phrases in response to many of modern life’s problems. Some people are able to quickly embrace this idea and take to it almost naturally. Others experiment with journaling, but soon give up the effort when they find themselves still plagued by their original discontent, as …
Fitzwilliam Darcy, one of Jane Austen’s most recognizable characters, draws a curious mix of certainty and doubt when it comes to assigning him one of the MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) personalities. It’s easy enough to recognize the marked introversion, blunt logic, and preference for order, resulting in introversion, thinking, and judging letters. But, as is …
To live at the speed of being human means to engage the senses. How many times does a day, a week, a year fly by, seemingly remembered as only a continuous blur of digital files, boring snacks, and binged shows. Not that there is anything inherently wrong with any one of those things—in fact, they …
Stargate SG-1, the successful television sequel to the 1994 Stargate movie, created compelling stories while forging new ground in science-fiction. Throughout its 10 year run, the personalities of the four main characters were as engaging an element as unexplored planets and new alien species. In honor of its 25th anniversary and continuing influence, we’ve analyzed …
The Intentional Ordinary 