realism or idealism or both...??

Is any one both a realist and an idealist? How can one be an idealist in such a sick and cold reality called the world?  Yet, how can one be a realist when what this sick world needs is a little idealism?   I think one of the keys or quests of my life will be to find this balance.  When I took the Myers Brigs a couple of years ago – and I’ve taken it many times – I’ve come out as an INFJ: Introvert, Intuitive, Feeling and Judgment.  Here’s a snippet on and INFJ: (below).

My "feeling" and "intuition" usually bombard my reality and my idealism and yes, I get lost in negativism.  I wish that I could be both a realist and an idealist.  A quote or saying that I heard once…forget the author, beautifully describes why idealism and realism are so necessary for survival in life,  here it is… “Desire is everything, its what keeps us alive.  Fantasies are not meant to be realized because once they are, they cease to be fantasies.”  See the key here is to believe for something better, knowing that it might never be realized.  To in fact, "fantasize" about the future, yet know full well that the important thing is not IN realizing it but TO live like you are going to realize it.   The “belief",“hope” are what keep us alive; it’s what gives us energy to work, strive and push beyond mediocrity.  Yet the "realism" is what keeps us grounded.  But desire keeps us youthful and that's beautiful, right - we should always be positive?!?  A friend once told me that I’m much prettier when I’m positive and hopeful!  Ha! Aren’t we all…  But that’s the dilemma, to many of us operate in either one or the other - we are not balanced.  Well I certainly am NOT.  How can I be both a realist and an idealist???  Perhaps it is just a balancing act.  Perhaps its staying focused on the goal, yet understanding current circumstances.  Perhaps it’s teetering back and forth between the two and somewhere, some how the quest is found. 

The Protector

As an INFJ, your primary mode of living is focused internally, where you take things in primarily via intuition. Your secondary mode is external, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit with your personal value system.

INFJs are gentle, caring, complex and highly intuitive individuals. Only one percent of the population has an INFJ Personality Type, making it the most rare of all the types.

They know things intuitively, without being able to pinpoint why, and without detailed knowledge of the subject at hand. They are usually right, and they usually know it. Consequently, INFJs put a tremendous amount of faith into their instincts and intuitions. This is something of a conflict between the inner and outer worlds, and may result in the INFJ not being as organized as other Judging types tend to be.

INFJs have uncanny insight into people and situations. They get "feelings" about things and intuitively understand them. As an extreme example, some INFJs report experiences of a psychic nature, such as getting strong feelings about there being a problem with a loved one, and discovering later that they were in a car accident. THIS HAPPENED TO ME WHEN I WAS 7 YEARS OLD.  This is the sort of thing that other types may scorn and scoff at, and the INFJ themself does not really understand their intuition at a level which can be verbalized. Consequently, most INFJs are protective of their inner selves, sharing only what they choose to share when they choose to share it. They are deep, complex individuals, who are quite private and typically difficult to understand. INFJs hold back part of themselves, and can be secretive.

But the INFJ is as genuinely warm as they are complex. INFJs hold a special place in the heart of people who they are close to, who are able to see their special gifts and depth of caring. INFJs are concerned for people's feelings, and try to be gentle to avoid hurting anyone. They are very sensitive to conflict, and cannot tolerate it very well. Situations which are charged with conflict may drive the normally peaceful INFJ into a state of agitation or charged anger. They may tend to internalize conflict into their bodies, and experience health problems when under a lot of stress.

INFJs are rarely at complete peace with themselves - there's always something else they should be doing to improve themselves and the world around them. They believe in constant growth, and don't often take time to revel in their accomplishments.

INFJ is a natural nurturer; patient, devoted and protective. They make loving parents and usually have strong bonds with their offspring. They have high expectations of their children, and push them to be the best that they can be. This can sometimes manifest itself in the INFJ being hard-nosed and stubborn. But generally, children of an INFJ get devoted and sincere parental guidance, combined with deep caring.

Life is not necessarily easy for the INFJ, but they are capable of great depth of feeling and personal achievement. http://www.personalitypage.com/INFJ.html