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.