The Unfolding Enneagram

Earlene, Denée’s mother, and Denée each grew up in the same fundamental Christian denomination. Not only were they very active members of their church but their family history of church leadership runs deep. So ‘going to church’ wasn’t just an activity but an ‘identity’ and a way of life. As their views of God began to expand beyond the boundaries of their traditions, the conflict with those in authority came to a breaking point when they were told they could no longer be in fellowship with the only church family they had ever known. When asked, “Why would you want to stay where you no longer hold the same beliefs?” Earlene didn’t have a satisfactory answer. That answer became clear, but only after much heartache and introspection. Earlene and Denée share their story of how they each made the transition and dealt with the trauma through the eyes of their perspective personality types. Today, although no longer a part of any organized religion, they continue to work with people in a variety of environments to offer comfort, support and validation to those going through similar experiences. Rather than promoting more division, their hope is to point to the whole Spiritual community where all every ‘type’ is not only welcome, but is already a part. It’s through honest conversation that we truly get to know each other. It’s through our stories that we connect.

In this conversation with Kevin Smith and Seth Creekmore, I was gifted with such insight into the way we embrace and avoid our emotions from our unique perspectives. Each type process emotions and feelings differently. Kevin resonates with the type 5 and Seth with type 4. Type five process emotions from their head while type 4 from their heart. It has often been assumed that type 5s have no feelings which couldn't be further from the truth and is, incredibly hurtful. This is why this conversation with these two is so important. Lack of emotional expression on the surface can be a way to protect the depth of feelings within. Just because someone doesn't want you to see their feelings, don't assume they have none or that they're not very aware of them.

On the other hand, type 4's have the ability to connect deeply with their own emotions as well as have a keen sensitivity to and an understanding of others' feelings. As Seth points out, the emotions we choose to not acknowledge and deal with will come out in other ways. This gift allows 4s to help others who may not be in touch with their own to find the freedom to experience them. Resource Info:

I met Seth and Kevin in a professional development course for Certification in Enneagram Applications through Enneagram Georgia facilitated by Nan Henson and Lynda Roberts, Riso-Hudson certified teachers and authorized professionals.

Seth Creekmore: “Creekmore is a cinematic folk artist creating moments to experience the soul. He fancies himself an epicure of all things good and finds himself at home either in a coffee shop or in the middle of a forest always attempting to marry the savage and the suave.”

IG: @creekmoremusic

Website: Creekmoremusic.com

Kevin Smith: IG: @asilentthousand

This beautiful quote from the book, Pillow Thoughts II, by Courtney Peppernell, sums up what this episode is about.

"You can't skip chapters, that's not how life works. You have to read every line, meet every character. You won't enjoy all of it. Hell, some chapters will make you cry for weeks. You will read things you do't want to read, you will have moments when you don't want the pages to end. But you have to keep going. Stories keep the world revolving. Live yours, don't miss out."

In a time of short cuts, predictive text and life hacks we can totally miss the beauty of true connection. Like J.R.R. Tolkien says, "Short cuts make long delays."

Reference: Pillow Thoughts II, Courtney Peppernell

Quotes on Vulnerability by Type: Enneagram Enthusiast - Instagram @Enneagramenthusiast

In Enneagram conversations we talk a lot about the ego but what if you have an alter-ego? I have one! The definition of alter ego says, ”a person's secondary or alternative personality.” Now let me be clear, I didn’t expose my hidden identity on a regular day. But today, I'd like you to meet her. YES... she's on the podcast!

So, who is she? Well, I called her Miss Peach. My kids called her their worst nightmare! My husband wasn't sure who he had actually married when he first met her. She usually wore a black lace dress, black cowboy boots, a black feather boa, black sunglasses that were covered on the edges with the gaudiest rhinestones you ever saw. Oh... and white tennis shoes that were also bedazzled like the sunglasses. Sometimes I had a red wig to top off the fabulousness but even without it, I could transform into this alternate personality with just a few sparkly accoutrements... as long as I was wearing the sunglasses.

There is a big difference in who we feel the need to portray and who we are healthiest level - where we transcend the EGO identity and discover the freedom of our true selves. EGO identification can be described as “taking on a role so completely that we lose contact with who we are inside.” So let’s talk about the difference between taking on the identity of a ROLE versus being who you truly are at your core. To say it simply, it's DOING vs BEING.

What do we do? What happens when you don’t know where you want to be but you just know you don’t want to be where you are?

My friend, Professional Business Coach, John Alan Turner, says....“It’s not enough to know where you don’t want to be. You have to know where you're going.”

I have been PASSIONATE about the Enneagram for many, many years. 12 to be exact. Do I know all there is to know about the it after all these years? Not remotely....WHO DOES? No one - it’s a life time of unfolding into greater understanding. And I LOVE teaching the nuts and bolts of the Enneagram and how our personalities show up within our types. But what I truly LOVE is seeing someone have that light bulb moment and sense a freedom they hadn’t felt before. I LOVE information and if you’re in the HEAD triad you can just FEED endlessly on information. But I LOVE people and know that simply being passionate about anything can actually be oppressive. You can belittle and actually do more harm than good to someone with whatever information you’re passionate about if you don’t have COMPASSION.

Passion + Compassion = Purpose.

Just like Passion without Compassion can be ineffective, information without transformation is useless. I knew that if I was going to take the necessary steps to move OUT of the space I was in and into a new space I needed to guidance....someone who understood where I wanted to go and could help me recalculate.

I needed a Guide - A Coach. I’ve been in an Enneagram Coaching apprenticeship program for several months and I’m so excited to actually KNOW where I’m going with a map of how to get there! I connected with someone who has given me guided direction...someone who understood my desire to take my knowledge combined with my heart for helping people free themselves from whatever pain point is keeping them from flourishing, to create a way to take my passion and marry it with compassion.

This means a lot of changes are coming in a few months. I’ll be rebranding...a new name with a clear message. I’ll be using my years of consuming information that have lead to my own transformation and my ALMOST 63 years of life experience to help others who may know they are STUCK and want a way out. OR maybe you just realize where you are in life is no longer fulfilling and you need a little help recalculating. I’m excited to be able to confidently say....I can help you.

#Enneagram #EnneagramCoach #Passion #Compassion #Enneagram1 #Enneagram2 #Enneagram3 #Enneagram4 #Enneagram5 #Enneagram6 #Enneagram7 #Enneagram8 #Enneagram9