FINDING A SOUL MATE

An individual’s personality or tendency to react in certain ways throughout life can determine whether the two of you would make good soul mates; that is, whether your temperaments complement one another. Basically, there are four temperaments known by names that date back centuries: choleric, sanguine, phlegmatic and melancholic.

Choleric personalities are enthusiastic, highly motivated, strong-willed  and action-oriented, even impulsive at times. Self-assured, they want to be in control and, under stress can become  stubborn and angry.  St. Ignatius of Loyola had a choleric temperament.

Sanguine personalities are warm, enthusiastic, cheerful and optimistic people who make friends quickly. Easy-going and at times complacent, they are willing to go along to get along. Saint Francis de Sales was most likely a sanguine.

Phlegmatic personalities are usually "peace-makers." Laid back and easy going, they are slow to take the initiative but are cooperative. St. Thomas Aquinas was a brilliant phlegmatic.

Melancholy personalities are reflective and analytic, slow to respond, skeptical, sensitive, and idealistic. They can be soft-hearted and sentimental, prefer small, intimate groups and enjoy solitude.The evangelist, John, may have had a melancholy temperament.

Most people have a mix of temperaments with one of them being dominant. Though our basic temperaments never change, we can and should grow spiritually by capitalizing on our strengths and overcoming our weaknesses. Thus, a spirit-filled temperament is the most important trait to look for in a life partner.

To learn more about the temperaments and take a self-assessment test, visit Catholic Match.com, the place to meet other Catholic Singles