In contrast to centered warmth, extreme warmth causes us to declare war against those we believe to be perpetrators of injustice. This rage can morph a warmth personality into the very thing they despise: an oppressor. In the center, warmth takes a stand for something it believes in. In the extreme, warmth takes a stand against what it despises.
Extreme feelings of hatred, bitterness, and rage desecrate the very definition of heart-centered warmth. Extreme warmth loses what is most wonderful about warmth: its compassion, understanding, and heart. Although they are different conceptual ideas, in their center, strength and warmth are two sides of the same coin, complementing one another. In their extremes, they behave in hostile opposition.
When we picture a tree in our mind, we rarely imagine the elaborate network of roots that reaches underground, sprawling out in a vast nodal web that reflects the branches above. Although they resemble each other and are technically part of the same tree, the roots and branches behave differently. The roots form the sturdy foundation of the tree. They do not dance in the wind like the branches but are unmoving and provide stability. They hold their ground. The roots must be strong for the tree to endure the storm.
When we find ourselves lost in extremes of entitled opposition, we begin to imagine ourselves as superior. If we are “branch” people with love/warmth-oriented branch beliefs and values, we can convince ourselves that we are all that is truly beautiful about the tree. After all, the branches produce the fruit. Isn’t that the purpose of a fruit tree?
In either extreme state of mind, we lose sight of the important and valuable views, ideals, duties, and skill sets that differ from our own.