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Winnie the Pooh as therapist

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Cornerstone Business Group Inc 0225086119

I've had a lot of people involved in my life over the past . . . . well, good while.  Some of the consistent things about the people who end up closest to me are that they tend to be pretty smart, funny, clever and witty.  I'd like to think that's because they're a reflection of me, but is that the way it is?  Regardless, do I gravitate to them, or do they gravitate to me?  Or, do we meet somewhere in the middle by chance? 

If you've ever watched Winnie-the-pooh you know the character Eeyore.  Personally, I like Eeyore, but I've always wondered why he seems so, well, Eeyorish.  He has all these great friends around him that are full of life and energy, and yet, it doesn't seem to bring him up.  I guess he just has an Eeyore kind of personality. 

In my life, I don't have many Eeyores.  Most of my friends, family, associates, cellmates (OK, I just threw that in there to see if you were still reading) and clients tend to be more Winnie-the-Pooh, Tigger and Piglet than Eeyore.  Of course, I get an occasional Eeyore, but I noticed that if they are like Eeyore that they are either smart, funny, clever or witty or some combination of them all.  If they're smart and Eeyorish, I can deal with it because I can learn something.  If they're clever and Eeyorish, I can deal with it because they catch me off guard and make me think.  If they are witty or funny and Eeyorish, I laugh and find them amusing.  But, if they are none of these things, I find them draining.  Is that because they are not like me, or because I'm not like them?

I go back to my original question, "Are we attracted to people who are like us, or do the people who are like us feel an attraction to us?" Now, the tricky part.  Are the people who are attracted to you more like Winnie-the-Pooh, Tigger or Piglet, or are they more like Eeyore? 

I hesitate to use the word "vibes", but are the vibes that emanate from you attracting the people you want to attract?  If there is a big dark cloud outside your front door I have a feeling Eeyore is rounding the bend.  But, if the sun is shining and there is singing and dancing going on you might be attracting a Pooh, Tigger or Piglet.  They all have something to offer your life, but if you're a Tigger kind of character, too many Eeyores will wear you down.

If you're a Eeyore kind of character, Tigger will get annoying eventually.  Knowing which character you are will help you understand what kind of characters you will attract.  If you're in business and you're an Eeyore character, you may have to put on your Tigger face during interactions to keep customers coming back.  Remember, Eeyore wasn't under a cloud all the time.  Sometimes he was Eeyore without the cloud. 

One final thought.  There is a 3 to 1 ratio at Pooh-ville.  That is probably a good ratio in your life if you're going to be healthy, happy and balanced.  You can only have so many Eeyores in your life before they start bringing you down.  On the flip side, if you're an Eeyore, you need to surround yourself with Poohs, Tiggers and Piglets to help bring a little extra sunshine to your life.  All four personalities can work together, but knowing which character you're most like will help you determine who you need to spend more time with. 

 

 

 

Comments(12)

Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

I think Mike our similarities with others are what makes it click, similar interests in music, values, people. The Eeyore people we tolerate and they add to the mix as maybe opposites but you pointed out correctly they evenutally will be come draining to us if they remain too long or too close.

Oct 02, 2013 04:00 AM
Sussie Sutton
David Tracy Real Estate - Houston, TX
David Tracy Real Estate for Buyers & Sellers

WOW Mike... are you sure you don't have a minor in psychiatry?

Oct 02, 2013 04:10 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Gary, I do feel energized when I'm with the right people, and I feel drained when I'm with the wrong people.  No doubt about it.

Sussie, ironically, I do have a minor in psychology with one of my Master's degrees.   

Oct 02, 2013 04:18 AM
Amanda S. Davidson
Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By Real - Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Virginia Homes For Sale

Mike, LOL at cellmates! That got my attention. I love Winnie the Pooh in general but, you really do a great job of comparing the group to real life. Not too many Eeyore's around me, I know a few but, wouldn't consider them a part of my inner circle. Too draining. The whole opposites attract thing has never really made sense to me, those that I'm closest with are like me...or I'm like them (still pondering that)! Suggested.

Oct 02, 2013 04:44 AM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Interesting perspective Mike, most people that I have met seem to be more like Pooh and the others are just minor characters thrown in for variety.

Oct 02, 2013 04:57 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Not many Eeyores in my life either, Amanda.  I like it that way too.  

Well said, Bob.

Oct 02, 2013 05:03 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Mike I do believe we attract people to us. It's pretty fun to look around and see all the good, upbeat, fun people surrounding us/me.

Oct 02, 2013 07:58 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

I hear you, Anna.  I do enjoy the folks that have come along for the ride.  

Oct 02, 2013 08:48 AM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

I don't know which one I would be or attracted to.  I've seen it a couple of times bu really don't pay much attention.  I do however enjoy how you can take a cartoon character and make a analogy like you have. 

Oct 02, 2013 08:11 PM
Jill Sackler
Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY
LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

Ah, yes, the laws of attraction in action. Sometimes I am attracted to people who are completely different from me because I'm envious of the characteristics I don't possess but for longterm relationships, similar is usually better.

Oct 02, 2013 10:42 PM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Thanks, James.

Jill, one of my dearest friends is 180 degrees different from me, and I love her like family. We get along fabulously and still manage to have radically different beliefs about a lot things. She's not an Eeyore though. 8-)

 

Oct 04, 2013 02:44 AM
Lisa Friedman
Great American Dream Realty - Essex, VT
35 Years of Real Estate Experience!

As I sit here typing from my recliner while wearing my Winnie the Pooh slippers , I would say that I definitely try to surround myself mostly with Tiggers. I can't tolerate Eeyore's for any more than five minutes. Great post.

Dec 29, 2016 06:36 PM