Perhaps like me, you like to people watch. I've studied people for a long time. In watching people, and myself, I noticed that you can pretty much divide people into three distinct groups, each with different traits, but that manifest themselves throughout a persons life.

    The Destroyer

    Ever know someone who was so negative they just seemed to be a magnet for bad luck? Have you known someone who is always quick with a sharp word of condemnation? A snort of derision for others beliefs and ideas? These kind of people are what I call "Destroyers".

    Destroyers seem to manifest certain traits, having more than one or two of the following would put a person in the destroyer category.

    Unhappy or depressed most of the time, and they make sure they spread the wealth

    Never compliment people, but quick to point out others flaws and shortcomings

    Believe that others are out to use them

    Careless with property, especially if it's someone else's

    Do not care about wasting anything

    Unable to see the good in people or situations

    Arrogant, derisive, insulting, condemning

    Disregard for others feelings

    Selfish and self-absorbed

    I knew one couple, it wasn't really until the end of their lives that I realized they were destroyers. They had been the keepers of family memorabilia, the kind of stuff that is passed on for generations. They took and destroyed every last picture, every memento, everything and anything that held any sentimental value for any of their children or family.

    They were destroyers.

    The Preserver

    Then there are those who seek to preserve things, to preserve and safe-keep what they have, whatever might be of value. Sometimes it manifests itself as being a pack-rat. The seeming inability to get rid of even the slightest thing. Also the scrapbookers, the photo-takers, the ones who unwrap gifts in a precise manner so they can save and re-use the paper. They just know they should preserve, or recycle things. To do otherwise would be wrong.

    Habits of a pack rat

    Inability to throw anything away

    Collectors, doesn't matter what, just that they do

    Sometimes value inanimate things more than they should

    Very into family stuff, and traditions

    Has the finger-paintings of the kids in a scrapbook close by even though the kids are now in college

    Personable, interested in what you know

    Avid recyclers

    Many times misunderstood,, it was these ancient preservers that have left stuff behind for us to dig up and find. From them we learn what life was like in the past. They are the builders and preservers of family and civilization.

    The Creator

    These are the inventors, the innovators, the risk-takers, the artists and actors and musicians. They create, that's what they do. Whether it comes from somewhere inside them and arrives full blown, or is carefully planted and nurtured until it reaches fruition.

    They create

    Emotional and passionate

    Usually very intelligent in one form or another

    Often misunderstood

    Sometimes mistaken for a preserver

    Happiest when they creating something

    Many times lonely, from being misunderstood or being to passionate

    May believe whole-heartedly in things that cannot be proven

    See the good in people and situations

    The creators have given us the civilization that the preservers maintain for us. They have taken us to the moon, and to the jungles of Africa. They make the world anew, each and every single day for all of us.

    So next time you're out people watching, think about this, and see if you can identify the types.