POSTING FOR FEEDBACK ON MY PROFILE

Female eharmony member, age 46

The one thing I am most passionate about:
I try to get the most out of each day. Being happy-- and the happiness of my loved ones-- is paramount. I like being around people who can contribute to that. And I want to contribute to their happiness, too.

Every profile I've read has some version of this. living life to the fullest, blah blah blah. Too trite. Too much the same. It needs something memorable or playful and fun or inviting and preferably all of the above.
.The most important thing I am looking for in a person is:
Good character. Calm, even-tempered, easy-going. I can be a little on the high-energy, "Type A" personality side of things

No do not say this in the profile. It's like a big huge negative to be a Type A personality and they don't know enough about you to see how that's balanced out by your other great qualities. A profile should contain only positive statements. We all know it's a sales pitch and as such people will assume that any negative is x 1000.
--I think it's incurable.... So it's definitely better if any match of mine is pretty laid-back. This sort of compounds the matter by putting the responsibility on the match to be laid back and cool while you meanwhile are Type A free. I would not put this either. (That's the kind of person who tends to appreciate me anyway, and vice versa.) A little balance there is a good thing!
..About Me.Basic Information
Occupation: recruiter for a non-profit--human resources
Age 46
Height 5' 6"
Wants Kids: No
Kids at Home: Yes
Ethnicity White, non-Hispanic
Religion: Spiritual, but not religious
Drinks: A few times a year
Smokes: Never
.In my own wordsThe most influential person in my life has been:
I guess I'm not very easily influenced, because I can't think of anyone!

Sorry, but this is uninformative and actually comes off as a bit arrogant. Who hasn't been influenced by someone? I mean even the Dalai Lama can name a few people who have influenced him. You need to pick someone, a teacher in grade school if nothing else, who taught you something. Otherwise you communicate that you are impervious to others, not exactly an attractive quality in a mate. Ie, I'd hope to be able to influence my mate.
..The three things which I am most thankful for:
•my family
•good health
•lots of little things every day
Three of my best life-skills are:
•Achieving personal goals
•Continuing to expand my knowledge and awareness
•Finding pleasure and contentment in simple things
.The one thing I wish MORE people would notice about me:
That I'm easy to please. Life is so much nicer that way!
If you were easy to please, people would notice it wouldn't they? And being easy to please seems at odds with Ms. Type A personality.
..The things I can't live without are:
my 2 kids, all grown up (sad!)
Starbucks and barbequed burgers--(separately)
sun (my dermatologist dislikes my freckles!)
the sun's not good for your skin, but you pursue it anyway? Kind of a red flag if you ask me. Ie, what else will you ignore that is good for you?
a computer.
workout dvd's
..The first thing people notice about me:
During the spring and summer, probably my freckles. People also tell me that I have a nice smile.
..Some additional information I want you to know:
I like to have some of my own hobbies, and hope you have your own, too! Something very off-putting about that. Can't put my finger on just what, but it comes off as slightly condescending/insulting. But some things I'm hoping to share with someone special: weekend trips, including camping (yes, in a tent; not fake RV "camping"); going to movies, restaurants, museums.... Plus, I might share a couple of your interests, if I like them! Ok now it comes more into focus. You seem to paint a picture that your interests will be more important than the interests of a partner kind of thing. It just doesn't seem ... cooperative or something like that. I'd be wondering if we're going to get to spend much time together and/or if you will make the relationship a priority.
..My interestsI typically spend my leisure time:
Taking classes, working out, art, hanging out with people, traveling to "hot spots" within Washington state, and renovating my house.
The last book I read and enjoyed:
I'm working my way through a stack of about 30 books. Right now I'm in the middle of "The Authentic Heart," by John Amadeo. It's a spiritual "journey through midlife." It's one of those psychology books that's full of "aha" moments. It takes about a year to get through, though, because you have to re-read so many passages to take it in fully.
.According to my friends:My friends describe me as:
Funny
Creative
Perceptive
Energetic

I agree with most of the comments already made, and have added the first thoughts off the top of my head throughout the profile. It's not a terrible profile by any means.

I would suggest, however, that you take a step back and rethink your approach to writing your profile altogether.

First, take a look at 50 or so of the profiles at eHarmony and get a feel for what matches in your age range are looking for. And while you are at it, notice something else. After a while, all these profiles sound distressingly similar. Everyone's loyal and kind. Everyone's living life to the fullest or some version thereof. Everyone wants someone amazing and every other adjective under the sun. blah blah blah It's so boring!

Your goal then is two-fold. First, a profile that is different. And second a profile that illustrates your most attractive qualities to a member of the opposite sex in a way that isn't boring because it doesn't just list a bunch of adjectives, it tells little stories about you.

To do this, take a little time to think on what are the five most attractive traits you possess that make you a great catch to a member of the opposite sex. Then think of some one or two-sentence stories that will illustrate the trait.

For example, kindness: I'm the type of person who checks the meter next to mine and if it's running low I stick another quarter in.

These specifics are really kind of important. We don't really trust what people tell us about themselves, and saying you are great or whatever just tends to make you seem either conceited or out of touch with reality. But we will believe what we ourselves conclude about a person, so examples illustrating who you are will allow the match to say, "Aha! A kind person!"

Weave your little stories into your answers to the eHarmony profile here and there as they seem most appropriate. Use transition words, like but, although, however to segway from answering the question to the new information. People will generally be forgiving of this.

If you happen to generate more stories than you need for the profile, save them to sprinkle into the guided communication process when they seem appropriate or use them in open communication. We all connect based on stories, and these will help you break the ice and build a connection with the person.

Do a similar thing in the about him/her section. Think about past dates, past significant others or just cool things you saw in a movie that illustrate what traits you're looking for. Tell us one-sentence stories about them.

For example, generosity: You'd be the type of person who gives a $10 to a bonafide homeless person.

Doing it this way lets you state in a positive way the type of person you're looking for without seeming demanding. And no, the specifics aren't really a turn-off because most people will relate to the general trait described rather than hone in on the specific detail that illustrates it.

Lastly, try to make the stories light, fun and playful so that you demonstrate one other thing about yourself — you are happy and positive about life, a fun person to be around.

Good luck with your search.

This is really great advice-- thanks!!