what's your number?

there's something i'd like to share with anyone who is interested in learning more about your personality, and why you do what you do - and most importantly, what you can do to enhance your strengths and let go of your less desirable traits. this is something i first learned about maybe 8 years ago or so...and it has been incredibly helpful to me over time. i'm sharing this only because i want to - i certainly have no ulterior motive or any connection to the sites i'll link you to:)


this old photo of my older sister and me has nothing to do with anything - although, come to think of it - she did introduce me to the Enneagram concept. like a lot of you, i simply like to have a photo or two with every post. and this one is precious to me. and it's vintage:)

so...the Enneagram is defined as a geometric symbol "that delineates the nine basic personality types of human nature and their complex interrelationships." While the Enneagram suggests that there are nine basic personality types of human nature, there are, of course, many subtypes and variations within the nine fundamental categories. Nevertheless, the assertion of Enneagram theory is that these nine adequately map out the territory of "personality types."

(Don Riso - author)


i have always been intuitive, and interested in people and psychology - and what makes us tick. i can tell you that back when i took this test and started reading about my basic personality type...i could only read small portions at a time without taking a break! it was so accurate and insightful, that is was slightly disconcerting:) and here is what i really appreciate about this whole enneagram theory:


"As a psychospiritual typology, the Enneagram helps people to recognize and understand an overall pattern in human behavior. External behaviors, underlying attitudes, one''s characteristic sense of self, conscious and unconscious motivations, emotional reactions, defense mechanisms, object relations, what we pay attention to, our spiritual potentials and much more—are all parts of a complex pattern that forms each personality type. Therapists, business counselors, human resource directors, and spiritual seekers from around the world are all finding the Enneagram to be immensely useful for self-understanding and personal growth. Always remember however, that the Enneagram does not put you in a box; it shows you the box you are in and the way out!"

(Enneagram Institute)


it does takes honesty and a certain amount of self-awareness to discover your true personality type! i've seen people take it and answer it the way they want to be, rather than how they really are (by their own admission) - and it wasn't helpful to them, of course. and it's also important to know that each of us have a certain amount of all nine personality types in us - it's just that one type is primary!


anyway - if you're interested in learning more, you can go to the Enneagram Institute and have a look around. the test that i took was the "full" RHETI and i found it in this book back then. however now you can take it online, i *think* - you might have to pay for it, though. I highly recommend this book - i refer back to it often!

another thing - there are several different authors who have written about the Enneagram. but in my personal opinion, i have found the works and writings of Don Riso and Russ Hudson to be the best. they are the co-founders of the Enneagram Insitute.

and one more vintage photo...my grandpa handing me a bouquet of beautiful flowers - he was a knowledgeable horticulturist. the first thing i notice when i look at this photo? my little legs all full of mosquito bites - it has been my lot in life to be a bug magnet. *sigh* they don't explain that in the Enneagram:)

if you're intrigued by this and investigate it further - please let me know what you think! i'd love to hear...i have yet to meet anyone who wasn't slightly amazed to read about him/herself in such detail! and if you want to share this - please feel free to link back here:)