The enneagram does not define you...
“Knowing that we can be loved exactly as we are gives us all the best opportunity for growing into the healthiest of people” – Fred Rogers
At the beginning of every month, I reflect on the last month of work – what went well, what needs improvement, what I observed, and what people wanted more of. In this first week of March, I’m reflecting on the last month of enneagram workshops and how the attendees of each shared their experiences, what they learned, and what they would take forward from the knowledge of the enneagram.
In one workshop, an attendee mentioned in a breakout session with two other types that they didn’t want to be narrowly defined by a type or a number. My initial reaction was along the lines of “Of course! No one wants to be defined solely by the enneagram.” But this reaction stuck with me and when I saw this quote from Fred Rogers, it reminded me of this interaction.
We can be loved exactly as we are!
No type or definition needed. The enneagram does not define you.
I agree with Mr. Rogers’ sentiment that accepting you will be loved exactly as you are gives you unlimited opportunities to grow into a healthy space. And I also believe that knowing more about yourself through the lens of the enneagram will make it easier for you to accept who you are. The enneagram shares a range of characteristics of each type in health and unhealthy spaces and knowing these will likely help you strive for health.
I never want people to believe that the enneagram is the end all, be all and the only way to define themselves. It’s certainly not.
It’s a tool intended to help you understand yourself and others around you.
Take it or leave it.
Want to learn more?
If you’re unfamiliar with the enneagram and want to learn more about it and how to use it, check out our enneagram workshop(s). More info can be found here.