Thanks for visiting my blog! My goal is to build an encouraging community where we can grow together into deeper relationships with the Lord, ourselves, and each other. I’m glad to have you joining me on this journey.
I started this blog back in 2013, and in 2018 I finally settled on a name: Like An Anchor. I chose this name because anchors connect ships to firm ground beneath them, keeping the vessel from drifting with the changing waters. A defining belief in God does much the same thing for us. When we capture a vision for why God created us and who we are in Him, we can drop anchor in that identity and ride out the waves of life. You can learn more about my faith by clicking here.
With that foundation, we’re ready to go on to live our lives with the courage and vulnerability needed to connect with other people. We can learn to see other people through God’s eyes because we’re anchored in the identity He is helping us create for ourselves.
Personality type theory (specifically Myers-Briggs®) is my favorite tool for understanding ourselves and other people. I started studying Myers-Briggs® types in high school and I’ve found this typology system an excellent companion for a journey of self-discovery and identity formation.
Background
I’m a homeschool graduate with a B.A. in English, with minors in creative writing and studio art. I am currently completing a M.A. in Rhetoric and Writing. My interest in personality types began in high school. Though I’m not a certified Myers-Briggs® practitioner, I’ve been studying type psychology for over 10 years and love encouraging other people to learn about themselves and reach their full potential. Much of my work on this blog is a product of that passion.
I currently work as a freelance writer and blogger, as well as a graduate assistant at my university. When not writing, I love baking cheesecakes, reading books, playing with my cats Wax and Wayne, and belting out Broadway show tunes. I live in the midwestern United States.
Affiliations Disclaimer
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I am also a Referral Partner for Personality Hacker.
Writing Credits
To learn more about my academic work, click here to visit my professional portfolio.
My freelance work has appeared in web and print publications including eHow, SFGate, Living Education, Femnista, and Boundless.org. I’ve also self-published two e-books: The INFJ Handbook and God’s Love Story. Here are links to some of my articles:
- Kingwood Connections: Cutting Flowers and Collecting Grandmothers. GreenPrints, Autumn 2019.
- Teaching Your Students To Find Their Flow. Living Education, Spring 2017
- Walking Across Sea World. Encouraging Dads Project, January 2017
- Fear Leading: Anakin’s Turn to the Dark Side. Femnista, December 2016
- Becoming “Noble Harry”. Femnista, July 2016
- A Homeschooler’s Tips For College. Living Education, Fall 2015
- What to Do When an Unbeliever Wants to Date You. Boundless, January 2015
- Daylilies That Bloom All Summer Long eHow.com
- What Are Two Factors That Can Be Changed to Decrease Soil Erosion? SF Gate
If you’re curious about my fiction my website is MarisMcKay.com.
Like An Anchor 
Nice Blog! I am hoping to bring people to your blog Saturday when I do my workshop… wish me luck!
LikeLike
Good luck! and thanks, Rachel 🙂
LikeLike
I may or may not really enjoy yurts and Dr Who. Doctor Who in a yurt would be ideal.
LikeLike
Indeed 🙂 Thanks for stopping by my blog!
LikeLike
Good to see another follower of Christ in the fray. My post address is elsewhere…come visit another Christian! 🙂
LikeLike
Hello! I just wanted to let you know that I nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award. If you’d like to accept, you can visit http://infjramblings.wordpress.com/2014/10/27/the-one-lovely-blog-award/ for details. Either way, I love your blog! Have a wonderful day! 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you so much 🙂
LikeLike
You are so very welcome! 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Marissa! Just letting you know that I nominated you for The One Lovely Blog award. Feel free to see my post here if you want to accept: http://wildbluealex.wordpress.com/2014/10/27/the-one-lovely-blog-award/
LikeLike
Thank you, Alex. I’m honored 🙂
LikeLike
Hello! I just wanted to let you know that I nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger award. Thank you so much for your posts, I love reading them! 🙂
https://infjramblings.wordpress.com/2015/03/03/very-inspiring-blogger-award/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I love reading your posts too 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! 🙂
LikeLike
I think you are my long lost sister I too am HSP and everything you have written is me …by the way my last name is Baker too! Light and love always
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice to meet you, Sis 🙂 Thanks so much for commenting!
LikeLike
Marissa, I just read your ebook in about 2 hours!! I couldn’t put it down! Thank you so much for sharing it was like someone had explained my life! I have only recently come across Myers Briggs types and I feel like I finally understand a little bit about why I am who I am – your book went someway to helping with that so a huge huge thank you!! X
LikeLike
I’m so glad to hear it! Your comment made my day 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve nominated you for the Starlight Blogger Award. If you’d like to accept you can visit the post here. 🙂 https://infjramblings.wordpress.com/2015/12/30/starlight-blogger-award/
LikeLiked by 1 person
I look forward to the insights you are going to share….. 🙂
Rolain
LikeLike
“I don’t want to keep what I learn confined to the growing stack of notebooks in my closet any more”.” < Love this. I feel the same way 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jennifer 🙂 It’s been pretty amazing. I feel like the more I share, the more I learn, which gives me more to share.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Marissa,
I am loving your book! I discovered that I am an INFJ via a job interview that required a personality test. The test was 3.5 hours long. Although I love taking these kinds of questionnaires, the entire time I thought it was a huge waste of time…how could they possibly understand my personality based on these questions???This was my introduction to MBTI.
A week later I met with the analyzer who began the conversation with “I am excited to meet you because we have never had an INFJ work or interview at this office.” For the next hour this woman whom I have never met before described me with 100% accuracy. It was so strange and exhilierating!!!
I am thrilled to learn more through your book!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Vanessa,
I’m so glad to hear you’re enjoying my book! The “how can they know me so well?” feeling once you discover your personality type is one I think quite a few INFJs can relate to. Pretty cool, isn’t it? Best of luck as you continue learning about your type 🙂
LikeLike
Hello, I’ve never followed a blog or have blogged before but I am interested.
I found you in my study about meekness and the revelation of it being Anger expressed as Aristotle’s definition.
I could not find this definition in my Strong’s Concordance but it was referenced in my Touch Bible App.
My Pastor is excited about it and asked me to minister on this and this is the place I have found it.
I’m a little apprehensive about quoting Aristotle in a church service but I believe the Lord has led me to this study.
Thank You again and if you have any pointers I would appreciate it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Tony,
It’s so exciting that you’ll be teaching on meekness in your church! I think it’s such a powerful concept, and it’s also one that’s often misunderstood in modern society.
I found Aristotle’s definition referenced in Spiros Zodshiates’ book “The Complete WordStudy Dictionary: New Testament.” I understand your reluctance to quote Aristotle in a church service, but I don’t think there should be any problem in just using him as a reference for how the Greek language was used and what sort of definitions were attached to “meekness.” Most people (I hope/assume) wouldn’t be upset about that.
I hope everything goes well with your study and presentation! Blessings 🙂
LikeLike