Messiness: We are messy and earlier this week, during an Enneagram workshop, a participant asked us all, "What is it about yourselves you want other people to know so they understand you better?" Kind of a messy question. A vulnerable question. Keep in mind, we have been a group for almost a year now so we are at a place we can express some deeper vulnerabilities. The person who asked, speaking from a Dominant Point Eight said he wanted everyone to understand that there is anger always percolating underneath him and he has to work very hard to control it. A Two said she is great at giving love but not receiving it. A couple of Fours mentioned their sadness and that no one needs to try to fix it for them. Some Nines talked about how the fractured world is tough for them because they really do believe all is One. Speaking from Point Five, I mentioned how I feel like I will never know enough and that I am running out of time. I wept realizing the depth of the collective suffering. It made me so sad. We are all so messy. It gave me even greater compassion for my fellow humans just trying to figure this all out. This is a beautiful question, one not to be taken lightly. So…..What do you want others to know about you to help them understand you better?
Values: I had a wonderful conversation with Laurie Renton on my new LinkedIn Live Event series - The Enneagram Connection: Understanding the mystery, one connection at a time. Her work includes the Enneagram but she approaches it from a values perspective. She shared with me five values each point embodies and I thought it would be a good thing for us to take a look at as we also learn more about the different points. If you see a point that resonates with you, check out the values that flank that point (those are your wings) or you can follow the inner lines from that point to the other two points (your Arrows) and see what values are there. This is a wonderful exercise (and accessible) to help you land on your Dominant Point. If you would like to learn more about Laurie’s work you can reach out to her on LinkedIn.
Beauty: If you follow me at all, you will know how much I love Russ Hudson. He is a true thought leader, change-maker and overall he is simply raising the consciousness of humanity. LOVE HIM! Here is his monthly practice. Please subscribe to him and integrate this practice into your life. This is the beginning of transformational change - a three-Centered practice. It doesn't take long and you and your day (and the people in it) will realize the beauty of the moment. I did something cool before writing this newsletter. I listened to Russ’ practice and “walked” my lap-held wooden labyrinth. Now THAT was a powerful practice. Stay tuned for more musings on the interconnectedness of the labyrinth and the Enneagram. I have no idea where that will take us but I’m game to find out.