So, I realize it might help if I give a little more information about myself. I always have a tough time trying to explain "the way I am" although I think I know myself pretty well. It is much easier to articulate the dynamics of my relationship with someone else or describe someone else's personality. This might be the case for most people though. I have very good intuition regarding others. I spend a lot of time analyzing others' behaviors. This is done mostly unconsciously and requires no effort on my part. I have always been this way and it is something that comes very naturally for me. I get pretty accurate impressions of people after very short interactions, sometimes even without any direct interaction. I can very easily identify people's comfort levels, etc...things that I've noticed most people don't pick up on.
I have a tendency to want to go deep to find out "what is really going" with someone, rather than being guided by their external mood/feelings. I am pretty good at distinguishing between the two (what they are revealing externally vs. what they are really feeling/thinking). However, I am usually not confident in being able to alter people's moods. I often end up with a feeling of self-consciousness for knowing what is going on but not being able to do anything about it on a superficial level. Actually, the only way that I am confident I can help is by "getting into the heart of the matter". Then I am in my zone. People have always been drawn to confide in me and I have often been described as someone who seems to really care and is a good listener. I also seem to surprise people with "revelations" that to them offer a different perspective, although they always seems very obvious to me.
My imagination always revolves around people (their behaviors, interactions, feelings). I spend a lot of time analyzing things that have occured as well as possible future scenarios. Why people act the way they do is my number one fascination.
I grew up in a family that is very open with their emotions. A lot of which has felt like "emotional manipulation" to me, which I don't respond well to. I do much better if things are explained in a rational, calm way. Strong outbursts of emotion overwhelm and drain me. I have always felt a need to rebel against this and assert my independence, not without feelings of guilt and usually after I get to the point that I feel I can't take it anymore. My initial reaction is to try to avoid conflict. But in the long run, the principle of "justice" in being accepted for who I am always wins. I don't like being told what to do or having specific expectations. I have difficulty with staying motivated doing things that are uninteresting to me. On such things I tend to procrastinate, however, I always seem to find time to do the things that are really important to me.
Well, I guess this is all for now. It was pretty easy to talk about myself afterall, after I got going.
EDIT: I have a tendency to write one long paragraph, rather than separating my thoughts. I realize that makes it more difficult to read.