Open Sesame

Posted on November 19, 2019 by Laurie Buchanan

I love to travel, and when I do, I enjoy photographing the variety of doors I happen upon. A door is like a book—you don’t know what lies within until you open it. Something pleasant? Something scary? An adventure? Something that lulls you to sleep?

Left—Nova Scotia. Upper right—the Highlands of Scotland. Bottom right—Quebec.

Remember the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves? All Baba used the magical phrase — Open Sesame — to open the mouth of a cave in which forty thieves had hidden a treasure.

And while there have been times I’ve not felt welcome, I’ve never had a door not open to me—regardless of my age, gender, skin color, politics, or spiritual tradition. I’m aware that’s sadly not the case for everyone.

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Have you ever had a door not open to you, or shut in your face?

A Tai Pei Personality

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Laurie Buchanan

The corporate world often utilizes personality profiling tools to determine which category or personality type employees fall into. This is typically done for two reasons:

To gain insight into our learning styles, tendencies, and blind spots.
To leverage our strengths and talents for the company’s benefit.

When I was in the corporate world, it was determined that I’m an ENTP on the Myers Briggs, a Maximizer on Strengthsfinder, a high D on the DISC, and orange on the True Colors assessment. Bottom line on top: a Type A personality.

A person with a Type A personality is said to be:

Impatient, have difficulty expressing emotions, competitive, drive, perfectionism, and has an unhealthy dependence on external rewards such as wealth, status, or power.

From my perspective, this doesn’t describe me accurately.

If I’m going to be labeled, I prefer Tai Pei as opposed to Type A — thank you very much — it’s more to my liking and perfectly suits my taste.

Have you ever been designated with a label you didn’t care for?

— Laurie Buchanan

“Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing.” — Laurie Buchanan

The Book — Discovering the Seven Selves
The Experience — Life Harmony

© Laurie Buchanan 2014

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Difference Makes the World Go Round

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Laurie Buchanan

In our younger years many of us worked hard to fit in, striving for sameness. Somewhat like a chameleon, we wanted to blend in wherever we went. It felt comfortable—even safe—to be like everyone else.

As we gain life experience, most of us celebrate human difference, equality, and personal choice—not only ours, but that of others.

What does it mean to be meaningfully different—different in a way that makes a positive difference? What does it mean to stand out from the crowd?

Maybe it means to zig when other zag, or to say “no” when others say “yes.” Maybe it means to minimize when others maximize, or to take a stand for something or someone when others remain seated.

What’s different about you?

Listen with your heart,

Laurie Buchanan

“Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing.”
— Laurie Buchanan

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Tuesdays with Laurie

"Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing." —Laurie Buchanan

Tag Archives: prejudice

Open Sesame

A Tai Pei Personality

Difference Makes the World Go Round