A couple years ago we did a personality test as a family. It was telling.
As it turns out, I’m surrounded by Reformers. My wife, my dad... my own daughter.
According to this personality test, Reformers are task-oriented people who want to change the world – or at least the world they live in – for the “better”. Let’s just say they deeply desire a new, improved standard. They look at others and wonder, “Why the heck are you not doing anything? Get reforming!”
I kid, kind of. In reality, true Reformers want to reform things to such an extent that only they can do the reforming. Group work is a real drag for a Reformer – better just do it yourself!
Nothing wrong with this, of course. We all have our quirks of personality. Based on the same personality test, I’m an Investigator who "can become preoccupied with his thoughts and imaginary constructs." That means rather than do, I prefer to dwell... to absorb information and analyze it... to discern the best course of action... sometimes for days. Don’t get me wrong, I also have a natural inclination to reform the world, but in my mind.
In the meantime, someone has to keep the world running. Reformers are the type of people (not mentioning any names) who get up at 5 in the morning to “start the day.” They get the gears grinding – perhaps even encourage the sun to rise every morning.
“Let’s leave at 6,” is the most common line I hear from one Reformer (again, not mentioning any names) when we start a vacation. “We can sleep in the car,” is the next line. Who in the world can sleep in the car after starting the day with such vigor??
In my view, the day cannot be “started” – ever. I’m a firm believer the day must start itself. It must cajole me out of bed to do things instead of just thinking about them – okay, worrying about them.
The beauty of being married to a reformer is that at times, I can just tag along for the ride. I don’t have to lay out every last item to be packed before our vacation because it's done for me. All I have to do is plan... basic things like the optimal daily driving distance, the best lodging for the lowest price, and the potential excursions that will derive the highest happiness quotient for our family (for obvious reasons, I leave myself out of the happiness calculation.)
My daughter, God bless her, is both a Reformer and Achiever. This means there are no shortcuts in reforming her teenaged world. Similar to my wife, she is morally obliged to self-govern herself in ways that will not allow any deviance from what is required, whether this involves making the perfect cupcakes or completing a school assignment.
There have been times when I’m woken up at one o'clock in the morning wondering who’s entered our home, only to realize it’s my daughter working on a poster... for Phys Ed. An all-nighter for Phys Ed class?? I know screaming at her won’t help, so I typically go back to sleep. Trust me, it’s easier. I’ve lived with Reformers for a long time.
For most of my dad’s life, he rarely rested. In fact, I remember him owning a book called, “When I Relax I Feel Guilty.” For my dad, a dairy farm suited him just fine, tying him to his work 24/7. Sunday, his only day off, meant only milking the cows twice and delivering the sermon (did I mention he also pastored a church with my mom?) He was also a grain farmer, but as you know, that only really takes up time in spring, summer and fall.
Even in retirement, he continues to make the world better. He founded a food bank in the area and recently wrote a book about it. At age 75, he and my mom still maintain the quarter of land they live on.
Will he ever slow down? I doubt it. Reformers rarely stop. I know some who are still working in their 90s.
I can only sit back, observe and marvel.
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