Day 30 - End of the Line

I am feeling quite puffed up that I actually made 30 blogs in 30 days. To all of you who read and commented, thank you. It was nice not writing in a total vacuum.

Last spring, I went to an Enneagram conference. If you are unfamiliar with the Enneagram, it is an enlightening experience. It helped me know myself a bit better. It also helps to aid in efforts to understand others, and, if one is paying attention, it speaks volumes of God's creativity and loving nature. I know some people who were there and could not figure out their number. I had no problem. I am a straight up 9.

Each number has healthy and unhealthy traits. It was astounding to me as they read out characteristics of nines how I felt like the leaders of the conference had been following me around. There were two particular statements that struck me about being a nine. The first was that nines are not prone to peer pressure, so they would not jump off the proverbial bridge, but the desire to avoid conflict will cause them not to stop someone who is about to jump.

The other trait of nines is they don't believe their presence matters. This sounds real pitiful, maybe, but I don't think it is. Maybe I don't think it's pitiful because that's pretty much how I feel. It is not an Eyore, "nobody cares if I am there or not" sort of thing. It is a, "I know I am not indispensable" sort of thing. Of course there are those whose lives would be changed if I was no longer present in them, but those lives would not end. The sun would still rise and set, they would still eat and talk and laugh and live life. When one thinks about it, that is really quite freeing. It befuddles me when people get upset and leave a church and hope it is diminished without their presence. I have a friend who lives in another state who goes to a church where a group left because they got crosswise with the pastor. They stated and seemingly believed their absence would cause a certain charitable event sponsored by the church to fail without them. That would never cross a nine's mind.

So, this is the last of the 30 day challenge. I live under no illusions that any of you just won't be able to go on. It has been fun and challenging. Thanks again, kind readers.

Day 30 - The End!

Oh, and if you are interested in the Enneagram, check out The Road Back to You by Ian Cron and Suzanne Stabile. There is another conference this spring. You can get information at www.ottercreek.org, and, no, I do not get paid for plugging the book or conference.