About Changing and Staying the Same
Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose ~ Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr
The original saying for the popular song “The more things change, the more they stay the same” by Bon Jovi.
Christmas and other holidays in the air, and around the corner have me reflecting on this saying. No matter how things may have changed astronomically in recent years, Christmas remains the same with a set date for celebration, not guided by the moon or stars.
Speaking of astronomy, brings me to the actual topic at hand; Another relatively stable construct with huge impact on the way we approach life (and celebrate it too). And that is our Personality. One of my research areas that I love digging a tunnel into is about how our genes and our environment influence personality and life satisfaction. I remember during college days, reading all about the four temperaments linked to the four humo[u]rs described by Hippocrates—Phlegmatic, Melancholic, Sanguine and Choleric. Which were themselves offshoots of four fundamental Greek elements or roots: Water, Air, Fire and Earth. For people in the thick of dating and courtship, learning about these temperaments was a way to find out how compatible you were or weren’t with a supposed suitor. [I tend to type as Melancholic (Water) for anyone asking in advance :)]
Although we no longer lend credence to the veracity of these elemental typologies, it turns out that their vestigial effects are hard to get rid of. The Meyers-Briggs Typology Index (MBTI), built off the work of Swiss psychologist, Carl Jung whose major personality functions (or types) echo the four Greek elements—Intuition = Fire, Thinking = Air, Feeling = Water, and Sensing = Earth.
The concept of elemental typology as it relates to personality is also found in Ancient Chinese Philosophy. Those who are true fans (and those who due to relational proximity also became fans) of Avatar: The Last Airbender and its sequel The Legend of Korra will surely recognize some of the elements—Water, Metal, Fire, Earth that make up the core of the Wuxing or Five Element Theory, with Wood being the fifth element. As a ‘member’ of the waternation tribe, I say Waterbenders unite!
Thankfully, there’s a more modern personality research train that we can ride today. One that recognizes the complexity of human be-ings. These current models recognize that we all fall somewhere on the spectrum of five different dimensions (five factors) that encompass shared human behavior. The Five Factor Model is one that I teach and use in my work. It recognizes that as stable as personality is, people can shift over time as a result of self-directed growth and coaching. A person on the high side of introversion can learn to be more extroverted and vice versa.
So, in this yuletide season of glad tidings, celebrate the fact that you are one of an elemental kind. That the essence of you remains unchanged no matter what or who tries to tell you otherwise.
And speaking of changing but staying the same, it turns out that the form and function of this newsletter will change in 2026. It’s been a fun year of showing up the same, but differently, every month. The fact that I love working with words is not changing but the way in which I choose to use that aspect of my personality will be changing. And you all my dear friends will be the first to know what those changes will look like.
I look forward to hearing from you all in other elemental dimensions. And in the voices of Greta and Lisl Von Trapp — “Although 2025’s sun goes to bed this December, I intend to continue flitting, floating and flying in 2026.” I hope you do too.
Resources and Readings
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, not least because there’s time off to read a little bit more. As we settle into the holiday peace, these are some of the books that will be making a comeback for me.
- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
- Finding Your Element by Ken Robinson
- Spark: How Creativity Works by Julie Burstein
- Live the Life You Love by Barbara Sher
Also started exploring Leon Kass’s work and finding it a bit too existential. But never say never with books!
What other books and resources would you be tapping into their elements in this season?
“Let me live, love, and say it well in good sentences.”
