INFP ANTHEM #1: Imagine by John Lennon

INFP Anthem #2: Watching the Wheels by John Lennon

I identify very strongly with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type INFP (Introverted, iNtuitive, Feeling, Perceiving). I found out I was INFP by taking the Kiersey Temperament Sorter, which is based on the MBTI but more career oriented. (I will be elaborating on my personal experiences with the Kiersey Temperament Sorter in my blog, Parallelaphors – just look for the INFP tag.)

John Lennon is considered to be an INFP. Many famous artists, authors, philosophers, musicians and actors are INFP because of the unique characteristics of this type.

John Lennon’s Imagine beautifully expresses certain INFP characteristics. INFPs have bottomless wells of love to give and as long as they are balanced, can’t imagine how anyone could be cruel. They are also considered to be dreamers. This song asks us to get past the social conventions we mindlessly take for granted and imagine a world where people all live together in peace. “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one…”

The second song is Watching the Wheels. INFPs are also considered to be mediators, healers and idealists and are prone to daydream, something that is frowned upon in western society. They also tend to be deeply sensitive and passionate, and can become easily overwhelmed by environmental stimuli. In this song, Lennon says that he had to “get off the merry-go-round” and “just had to let it go.” He also says:

“People say I’m lazy, dreaming my life away, 

Well they give me all kinds of advice, designed to enlighten me“

INFPs are often labelled as lazy because they seem to be off in their own world rather than engaging in activities that are usual for most people. Often they spend their childhoods being forced into acting, thinking and behaving like everyone else, which is all but impossible for them. They are always being given advice from all kinds of people who believe they have their best interests in mind, but are totally wrong for INFPs. Because of the unique ways their brains work, INFPs connect ideas in ways that can only come from deep introspection. This ability, among others, gives INFPs the chance to become world-changers. Not really so practical for Western society.