136 I Can Read You Like a Book E
Although the focus depends on what causes the excitement,
it’s almost always external. When excitement has an element of
secretiveness, as in the case of an illicit affair, this focus will vacil-
late. But put her source of excitement in the room and, regardless
of where her eyes are, her focus will be on that person. To anyone
even mildly astute, it creates a stream of energy that signals
“something’s going on.” The gossip columns call it “sparks flying.”
This is one reason why people know about an affair before the
spouse who’s wronged. The focus is external, so the energy
comes out.
Think of a child the first time she sees Santa—full of excite-
ment, but conflicted about whether it’s good or bad excitement.
She knows he gives gifts, but that laugh sounds fake. Maybe he
eats kids after he gives them gifts! After embracing a benevolent
Santa, she imagines the possibilities of all he will give her; later
when she thinks of him, her focus is internal. On Christmas night
when she hears a sleigh bell ring, though, all of her energy turns
externally to the old fat man in the red suit.
Interest
Energy high, direction sharp, focus external.
Back to the anger and joy profile. Full-blown curiosity can power
the body as much as food. Think of an inquisitive toddler who can-
not be distracted from tearing apart a new gift to see what’s inside.
Actually, that’s a boy toddler; a girl with just as much interest in the
gift is likely to explore its facets more cautiously and ask a lot of
whys and hows. Regardless of the approach, all energy is directed
