CYNTHIA CARTER: The path to figuring out the type of person you are

Q: How do I know what type of person I am?

A: There are three types of people in the world: leader, follower and individual.

A leader is a take-charge person. They are the ones who advise you on what you should and should not do. They have the final say. Sometimes they are right and sometimes they are wrong. All leaders are not good leaders and just because they have the title, it should not give them a reason not to listen or take advice from others.

Most leaders have strong personalities and give a lot of credit to themselves, thinking they are good leaders. In some cases they are — success comes with good leadership. A good leader is open, honest and will respect the opinions of others on matters that will benefit the organization.

They have no closed agendas. Membership participation is important to them in order to have a successful organization. A good leader should look and act the part. You never know who is looking at you, hoping to one day be like you. In other words, be a good role model.

In order to lead, you must have followers. Followers usually blend in with the crowd and go along with whatever is going on. Sometimes they don’t even know the circumstances involved because they are riding on someone else’s ideas.

Followers don’t like change, although they may complain or talk about a situation. At home, they talk about it with their family or friends. Most of their talking is on the phone. That’s how they best express themselves. Followers remain as followers because they refuse to change and will always support their leader.

You can always tell the individual because they look, feel and act differently. Most of them are true to themselves and their passion. They will voice their opinions openly and are not concerned with what other people think of them.

Individuals usually stand out in a crowd and are sometimes misunderstood because they are different. Most individuals are gifted and talented, motivated by their own thoughts and ideas. They seek sources for information instead of people. Individuals usually love learning, embrace knowledge and like to share it with others. They can lead as well but prefer to be individual.

After reading the characteristics of each type — leader, follower and individual — which one do you think you are?

Q: How can I be happy later in life?

A: We are part of one another whether we want to admit it or not. In order to be good at anything, we must learn to love one another. It may not be easy to do, but we can do it.

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened” — Matthew 7:7-8 (KJV).

“Ask” can not be explained any better.

If you desire and need love, pray and ask God. When love enters your heart, you will know it. You will have a loving spirit that only God can give. A change takes place when love enters your heart.

Spiritual growth starts guiding you into becoming the person God wants you to be. Love is the greatest achievement. Your attitude changes, causing you to see things in a different perspective. You will love others as yourself. Love on the inside shows on the outside.

Many people do not realize that facial and body appearances speak a lot about them. Today, they call it body language. Old folks would say your earlier years in life are the face you were born with. The middle of life is the mask you wear. The later years are the face you’ve earned.

The same is said about the lifestyle of a younger person that was happy and physically fit. When older, the person is a happy and physically fit older person.

A sad, overweight younger person is now a sad or overweight older person. You have a responsibility for you own life. You’re the captain of your ship. In other words, the care you give yourself as a younger person will show when you become an older person.

Try to become all you can so you will be a happy person as you travel life’s journey.

Ask Grandma is a weekly column written by Cynthia Carter. If you have a question to Ask Grandma, email it to [email protected] and include “Ask Grandma” in the subject line. You also can mail questions to Ask Grandma, c/o The Albany Herald, P.O. Box 48, Albany, GA 31702. Phone-in questions can be left on our Bright Side comment line, (229) 888-9351.