View from Storybook Farm in Virginia

I loved the first part of March with my whole heart. I spent time with some of my dearest friends in the world and experienced tremendous personal growth. The tides are changing, my friends. Maybe spring is waking up my senses but my mind is spitting out ideas faster than I can keep up.

But this month wasn't perfect. One of my dearest loved ones is walking a difficult road right now and this breaks my heart. Also, a news story arose which I still don't have words for but which would easily lead me down the path of cynicism. What I'm trying to say is I'm praying like never before.

Read and Reading:

I have read sooo many good books recently. This is a true treasure trove, y'all.

If I could demand everyone read a book, I'd start with To Be A Friend Is Fatal (Johnson). It is that good and one that needs to be read. My grammar school classmate wrote about his time in Iraq and the birth of the nonprofit The List Project to Resettle Iraqi Allies. The way the US treated the Iraqis who helped us is shameful. I commend Kirk for his tireless efforts. An eye-opening, engaging, and insightful read.

Mary Carver recommended Cinder (Meyer) in her last What I'm Into post. I was intrigued it was 1) YA and 2) a take on fairy tales but I was less intrigued by "robots" and "sci-fi." I couldn't put it down! I figured out the main plot twist immediately but I didn't care because Meyer created such a fascinating world. I love that it's set in Asia (when's the last time you encountered a non-white main cast in a YA book?) I love her spin on Cinderella. I read Scarlet and Cress in short order. Now a whole year until we learn how it concludes!

Not being a fan of Eat, Pray, Love, I'm glad I took a chance on The Signature of All Things (Gilbert). It was refreshing to have an unmarried main character and see how she wrestles with her station and sexuality over several decades, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries. Gilbert's voice is that of a detached narrator, resulting in a book that's neither plot-, nor character-driven, yet it remained compelling. I'll be pondering the inspiration behind the title for some time. 

Two friends wrote books and I was thrilled to receive advance copies. Highly recommend Micha Boyett's spiritual memoir Found. Beautifully written, lovely, engaging, insightful, it deeply resonated with me. Truly a breath of fresh air. It was nearly impossible to put down Elizabeth Esther's Girl at the End of the World. I would advise caution if you've come out of a fundamentalist background. For me, it was eye-opening and heartbreaking to learn what EE went through at The Assembly. Proud of her for sharing her story and doing it so well.

I'll share about We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves next month.

We'll be discussing Daring Greatly (Brown) at The Red Couch next month. My introductory post will be up next week. Hope you'll join us!

You can see all the books I've read at Goodreads. 

Currently reading: Amazing Grace (Norris), In Defense of Food (Pollan), Hazardous (Cyzewski), Eat With Joy (Stone), Feast (Lawson), Wisdom of the Enneagram (Riso and Hudson)

(I read 11 books this month.)

TV:

Must-see TV: The Vampire Diaries, Reign, Once Upon A Time, The Real Housewives of New York

The Psych series finale aired last week and while it was sad to see it go, it was a most perfect send-off for Shawn, Gus, and the gang. You know that's right. (This article notes the finale's inside jokes and nods to fans.)

As to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, all I'll say is Lisa deserved much better treatment than she got and Brandi is an absolute trainwreck.

Movies:

I actually watched movies this month! When the Academy Awards aired, I was ashamed of how few movies I'd seen this past year and am determined to do a better job in 2014. 

I watched the Veronica Mars movie via Amazon rental the night after it released and again this past weekend at the Belcourt Theater. I highly recommend the theater experience. As a newly obsessed fan of the franchise, I was pleased. It wasn't perfect but it was super enjoyable and gave us a plausible idea of what Veronica's been up to the past 10 years, as well as laying groundwork for a possible sequel. (Yes, please.) Also Logan looks most excellent in a military uniform. This SPOILERY review captures most of my thoughts.

The best way to watch Frozen for the first time is with kids who have seen it a billion times. I don't like snow and even I was ready to go build a snowman.

Bad Grandpa: I figured if I was going to give any of the Jackass Productions a try, it would be this hidden camera road trip. Plus, my friend's husband directed it. I could not stop laughing! There were moments that went too far (for me) but it was hilarious and well done. Plus, Johnny Knoxville's transformation in to a plausible old man is a thing of beauty.

Music:

New discoveries: Hozier

Listened to Nickel Creek's new album A Dotted Line a few times, thanks to NPR's First Listen. SO GOOD. I can't wait to own it, even if this fueled my bitterness toward the scalpers who bought up most of the tickets for their shows at the Ryman.

Listen to the What I'm Into 2013 Spotify playlist. The What I'm Into 2014 playlist is getting started.

Things I Love:

• Super proud of my friends Amanda and Raechel at SheReadsTruth, who started a Kickstarter to raise money to build a devotional App. The first phase was fully funded in less than 24 hours! Now they're working toward phase 2, which will build an app for Android. Consider donating? They've got some awesome rewards.

• Another StitchFix winner! I kept 3 items from this fix but the top and skinny jeans above were the clear winners. Those jeans are miraculous. If you haven't tried StitchFix yet, what are you waiting for?

• Reconnecting with my friend Jan Shegda! Jan and I went to grammar school and high school together and also worked at the same Christian bookstore. We lost touch several years ago but a reader mentioned my Enneagram and Blogging series to her. I can't get over how many things we have in common, right down to our Enneagram and MBTI types. Full circle. So, so fun.

Photo via Melissa Greene

• C3 Conference: I was only able to attend the Thursday evening session but I'm so glad I went. There was a tapas and wine reception, plus a fantastic art show. Glennon Melton spoke- I'll never forget cookie communion. I got to meet people, including reader Sarah who reached out and invited me to attend and was the best wingwoman a girl could ask for. I got to hang out with my friends Melissa and Rachel. You should plan on going next year.

• My friend Kim passed through town and I was able to introduce her to fried pickles. They were a big hit! I love how many of my friends want their first fried pickle experience to be with me. It is only right and fitting.

• Both Hands envelope stuffing party (more on this awesome organization soon!)

• St. Patrick's Day- Irish in my heart, yo.

• Cheap plane tickets so I could visit my friend Ashleigh at Storybook Farm for a few days

Happy reunion to us

• Getting picked up at IAD by the one and only Kristin Potler and her cute son Corban and catching up while we traveled country roads

It's too bad we don't have fun together

• I wrote a little about my trip but the whole time was magical and refreshing and healing. I didn't want to leave. Ashleigh's family is the best. Plus, she and her husband let me do the Enneagram flashcards with them. She is the sister I never had, a true kindred spirit. I hate it will be several months before we see each other again.

• Watching random episodes of Ally McBeal with Ashleigh, who'd never seen it before. Brought back good memories of being piled in to friends' dorm rooms. Even though I realized I am now a few years older than Ally.

• Breakfasting with Luke and Jill Harms and their sons. They brought all the fixings for Luke's infamous pancakes to Storybook Farm. I mean, Luke has a dedicated pancake spatula. The man means business. The berry compote, the freshly whipped cream with vanilla from Mexico, the chocolate chip pancakes, the egg, cheese, and bacon pancakes? HEAVENLY. Such a treat to spend time with them.

•  'Tis the season to add Cadbury Creme Eggs and Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs to Mug Brownies. #sorrynotsorry

• BirchBox included a sample of DDF Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew and it's about all I've used the past couple of weeks. My skin is super finnicky so I was skeptical but it's super moisturizing and not irritating at all. I'm definitely buying a full-size bottle. I've been really impressed with the products they've sent since signing up last fall.
• The return of baseball! While I hate missing the Home Opener, I'll be cheering on my boys from afar. GO WHITE SOX!

Favorite Instagram:

 
Because Easter.

(If you want to follow me on Instagram, my user name is leighkramer.)

On The Blog:

This month was consumed by the rest of The Enneagram and Blogging series. I loved hearing how the series encouraged people and normalized their tendencies. We're not alone in any of this! I also got a kick out of notable bloggers such as The Nester, The Art of Simple, Shauna Niequist, and Rachel Held Evans sharing the series. Thank you, one and all.

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What I'm Into Link Up Guidelines:

1. Today’s link-up will stay up for one week. The next What I'm Into link up will be Wednesday April 30.

2. Link the unique URL of your post, not your blog's home page. Readers peruse link ups months after the fact and you want to make it easy for them to find your What I'm Into post.

3. Please include the What I'm Into button or mention you're linking up with What I'm Into at Leigh Kramer.

4. Visit at least 2 other posts in the linkup!

What have you been into this month?

Disclosure : Amazon Affiliate links included in this post.  If you click through to Amazon, any purchase you make supports this site.

"i thank you god for this most amazing day.

for the leaping greenly spirits of trees,

and for the blue dream of sky and for

everything which is natural,

which is infinite, which is yes." -e. e. cummings

You sensed a shift a month or so ago. You're content, more accepting of imperfection, more accepting of yourself. Your clockwork SAD never visits this winter, in spite of the unseasonable cold. Is it because of counseling or essential oils? Is it the cumulative effort of undoing the lies and shame?

This past fall, you looked at your shortlist of travel destinations and started dreaming of who you'd visit over spring break. So many friends to see, so little time and even less money for airfare. You especially wanted to visit one friend on her fairytale farm but the odds of an affordable flight seem slim. You told yourself it would happen some day.

But the idea wouldn't leave you so you searched flights every so often. Just to see. Just in case. And then one January day, an option appeared and you booked it. No takebacks, airline! You and your friend were giddy over this turn of fortune. (Is this where the shift began? Perhaps this, alongside a slew of other unexpected gifts.)

Two nights before the trip, your friend texted you about expected snow. Oh, snow. But it wouldn't interfere with your flight and you suspected you could live with a ground covering.

"I think it will be good and healing for us to have this time together," you told her. You don't question the impressions and feelings regularly accompanying your day.

And it is indeed good and healing to spend the week at Storybook Farm.

Another friend picks you up from the airport. You talk about life while the car wends its way through country lanes. You pull up to the house and see the cow and her calf grazing. It's a beautiful reunion. The three of you can't stop laughing because you're finally together again. The next day she and her son head back home to Baltimore.

And then it's just you and your friend and her animals and her family. She welcomes you in to her world. Over the next few days you sip hot beverages and talk at various table for hours. Her cat, the one who doesn't like strangers, becomes your constant companion. One of her sons reads a book about sap and syrup to you. You watch her spin wool in to yarn and you see how very much this life suits her.

You never expected to like Virginia quite this much.

You speak truth over one another and when it is your turn to listen, you do your best to accept it. She calls out your most shining qualities. She says you are a balm. She repeats herself until you start to believe. You cry when her words particularly resonate but you do not apologize for your tears. You don't need to.

You are fully seen.

You are fully loved.

You don't have to be anything other than yourself. It is enough. You are enough.

A day or two before you leave, the snow melts and the ground is less muddy. It's in the 60s and the sun lights up everything around you. The grass is green and the sky whispers of spring. It is here. It is almost here.

The maple trees keep filling the jars with their sap. The sheep is about to birth a lamb. The chickens will hatch shortly after that. Farming speaks of seasons, of births, and of new beginnings. You realize you feel whole.

Maybe you have felt whole for a while but there it is, reflected in the eyes of your friend, in the ease of your smile. There's still work to be done, yes. But there is much to celebrate as well.

You add this trip to the list of extravagances from this past year. You stop wishing you had something to show for these beautiful gifts. This is the time to receive, to sit with hands cupped and grateful.

This is infinite. This is yes.

Linking up with my friends at LoveFeast Table for the Gathered Thoughts Party. You are invited to link up a Gathered Thoughts post at the LoveFeast Table Gathered Thoughts Link Party to win a 365 Gathered Thoughts Box of your own. Or leave a comment to win a set of spiral journal notebooks.  Head over there for more details.  

To learn more about this series, as well as how the survey was conducted, please read this post. 

Type Nine

Commonly known as The Peacemaker, The Healer, The Optimist, The Comforter

The Need to Avoid

 Basic Fear: Of loss and separation

Basic Desire: To have inner stability "peace of mind"

Key Motivations: Want to create harmony in their environment, to avoid conflicts and tension, to preserve things as they are, to resist whatever would upset or disturb them.

Nines want to keep the peace, get along with others, and avoid conflict. They tend to take on qualities of the other 8 types, which accounts for the variety within personalities of this type, ranging from gentle to forceful. Nines are accepting, trusting, creative, optimistic, and stable. They are amazing supporters and do a great job of truly seeing and hearing another person. They can be overly willing to go along with others to keep the peace and want everything to go smoothly. They are able to bring people together and heal conflicts. They can also tend to be complacent, simplifying problems and minimizing anything upsetting. They typically have problems with inertia and stubbornness.

At their best: pleasant, peaceful, generous, patient, receptive, diplomatic, open-minded, empathic

At their worst: spaced-out, forgetful, subborn, obsessive, apathetic, passive-aggressive, judgmental, unassertive

Read this profile for a complete description of Type Nine.

Type Nine Bloggers*

Lore Ferguson, Failing Joyfully, Austin Channing Brown, Megan Tietz, Sarah Bessey, Anne Bogel, Brenna D'Ambrosio, Kelly Youngblood, Farm to Table, The Whole Dang Thing

*these are bloggers who identify as type nine; it does not indicate they have participated in the Enneagram and Blogging survey

Typical Topics:

• Faith 

• Theology and the Church

• Unity

• Relationships (parenting, marriage, dating, friendship, etc.)

• General life

• Style and beauty

• Books

• Feminism

• "Green" living

• Food

Why did you start blogging?

While reasons for starting a blog ranged from building a platform to sharing stories with family, many Type Nines reported starting their blog because they:

• were told to (generally, by a loved one)

• needed to feel connected to something

• view themselves as writers and thought it would be a good way to practice their craft and receive feedback

• wanted to build relationships with readers and other bloggers in a way that was comfortable to them

Our Nine respondents generally fell in to two camps. Some feel they are writers, first and foremost. They tend to blog more often as they feel compelled to write regularly. The others did not blog regularly, most of whom did not appear bothered by this.

Do you have any goals related to blogging?

Besides building a platform or working toward publication, Nines want to encourage others. Those who are Christian may want to specifically encourage people in their faith.

Several respondents reported a desire to be more consistent and blog more regularly. Nines tend to do their own thing, regardless of the "rules." As mentioned above, bloggers who identify primarily as writers tend to write more consistently; they just might not do many of the Serious Blogger Recommendations.

Having no blog-related goals was the other popular response, with respondents stating they struggle with goal-setting and follow through. This is a typical struggle for Nines. They can be efficient when they want to be or when they learn the First Things First rule: make a short list of what needs to be accomplished that day and stick to it.

What do you like about blogging?

• Creative outlet

• Writing = peace in their soul

• Friendships/community

• Thoughtful, helpful discussion

• Processing what they think/feel/believe

• Broadended horizons

• Being able to write in their own way and time

• Opportunity to write about and discuss whatever they want, instead of according to others
  

What do you not like about blogging?

Peace-loving Nines especially dislike the divisiveness accompanying the blogosphere. A mean comment can keep them down for days or forever. Fighting makes them squirm. You're unlikely to see Nines leading the pack when it comes to writing about today's controversy. They might have opinions but a harmonious environment is more important to them. They also don't like how many different tribes there are. Why can't we all be one big happy family blogosphere? They want to avoid conflicts and tension.

Speaking of tension, please don't pressure a Nine to build a platform or talk to them about the necessity of competing. This taps in to their need to avoid. Nines often believe their participation isn't necessary or important. Even though they've chosen to blog, they're more comfortable with doing their own thing and not questioning their "brand" or what the point of it all is. Any sort of pressure makes them more likely to go in the opposite direction and they might decide to stop blogging altogether. They desire peace of mind just as much as they want peace in their (blogging) environment.

A few respondents expressed feeling guilty about not being able to respond to comments fast enough or at all. Nines would hate for a reader to be upset if their comment didn't receive a response. At the same time, Nines can't always dedicate more time to their blogs because of other responsibilities. They might turn off comments from time to time in order to save face or avoid wading in to the comment section altogether.

What are your strengths as a blogger?

One of the greatest gifts Nines give us is a peaceful and safe place. They are gifted mediators and peacemakers, which translates well to the blogging medium. They're able to understand every side and don't believe there isn't room for common ground. Healthy Nines aren't afraid to weigh in on potentially controversial matters and they do it in a gracious way that invites civil discussion and thoughtful dialogue. In fact, a balanced Nine who has tapped in to the strengths of their Eight and One wings, can say things in such a way that much good results because we are able to hear it, which is not always the case when an Eight or a One takes charge.

Nines often call us toward a better way. They are gentle prophets. They are great at coming alongside us and helping us see another point of view but also showing us what could be. They are often transparent, which helps readers feel comfortable no matter the topic.

Nines are great people to spend time with, whether in person or across a screen. Their warmth and caring translates well. They are talented at forging community with their readers and with other bloggers. A great example of this comes courtesy of Megan Tietz's blog tagline: "let's pretend we're neighbors."

What are your greatest struggles/temptations as a blogger?

One of the Nine's greatest temptation is to quit blogging. They tend to be non-committal and would rather not be tied down to anything. They might struggle with how often or little they blog. Respondents who feel driven to write reported the blogging medium isn't their best or only outlet. Some of these respondents felt they were great writers but lousy bloggers. Still others press on and continue to blog but often fight against the impulse to throw in the towel or burn down the internet. When stressed, Nines are especially tempted to withdraw, perhaps as a way of preservation.

Nines don't often have a clear sense of themselves and this can filter in to their blog as well. They often seem particularly surprised by how beloved they are or by the opportunities that come their way. They may not be able to define their niche or understand what they contribute to their readers or the blog world at large. Nines need to figure out what they actually want- this is true of their personal life and their blogs. They also need to decide it's worth the effort. Nines can accomplish great things when they decide to be engaged and take action.

The other struggle for Nines is numbing. This won't necessarily be evident in their blogs but in how they consume social media and other blogs. As a way to avoid stress/pain/circumstances, they'll read page after page of blog archives and scroll through Facebook and Pinterest and Instagram. Not bad things in and of themselves but Nines must be mindful of what they are doing and why, especially if this prevents them from working on their own blog posts.

Resources: The Enneagram Institute, The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective (Rohr), Enneagram Made Easy (Baron and Wagele), The Wisdom of the Enneagram (Riso and Hudson)

To learn more about this series, as well as how the survey was conducted, please read this post.

 Type Eight

 Commonly known as The Asserter, The Challenger, The Protector, The Leader

The Need to Be Against

Basic Fear: Of being harmed or controlled by others

Basic Desire: To protect themselves (to be in control of their own life and destiny)

Key Motivations: Want to be self-reliant, to prove their strength and resist weakness, to be important in their world, to dominate the environment, and to stay in control of their situation.

Eights want to be self-reliant and strong. They hate feeling weak or dependent and avoid it at all costs. They are self-confident, resourceful, and assertive. They like to test boundaries and often believe rules were made to be broken. They are passionate about justice and truth. Eights are able to use their strengths to improve others' lives. They can be heroic, empowering, and inspiring. Straight-talking and decisive, they can also be egocentric and domineering. Because of their need to control their environment, especially people, they can become confrontational and intimidating. They can have difficulty admitting mistakes. Eights typically have problems with their tempers and with allowing themselves to be vulnerable.

At their best: direct, authoritative, loyal, energetic, confident, protective, self-confident

At their worst: controlling, rebellious, insensitive, domineering, self-centered, skeptical, aggressive

Read this profile for a complete description of Type Eight.

Type Eight Bloggers*^

Jes Kast-Keat, Dianna Anderson, Margaret Felice, Krista Dalton, Kamille Scellick, Christena Cleveland, The Blah Blah Blahger, Suzannah Paul

*these are bloggers who identify as type eight; it does not indicate they have participated in the Enneagram and Blogging survey

^Most analysis of Eights centers on their love of pushback and sticking it to the man; most of the responses from survey participants aligned with this view. However, there's much diversity within this type, according to their more dominant wing. Though I tried to accommodate for some of this, 8w9s might not relate as well to profile.

Typical Topics:

• Justice

• Feminism

• Intersection of faith and culture

• Faith and spirituality

• Church and theology

• Relationships (parenting, marriage, friendship, dating, etc.)

• Identity

• General life

• Fashion

• Ethics

• Food and hospitality

• Reconciliation

• Media and cultural criticism

• Books

Why did you start blogging?

While reasons for starting a blog ranged from building a platform to sharing stories with family, many Type Eights reported starting their blog because they:

• felt compelled to write- blogging gives them an outlet and pushes them to create content

• noticed people positively responded to their critiques of culture/media/the church

• enjoyed the process of written storytelling

Respondents had mixed reactions about blogging. For some, it's been a valuable outlet, allowing them to express themselves and explore new content. It may have opened up the door toward publishing or channeled their activism toward positive change. However, some respondents question whether blogging is the best medium for justice and reconciliation work. The posts closest to their heart and work may not get much blog traffic, which makes them wonder whether their time would be better spent elsewhere.

Do you have any goals related to blogging?

Besides building a platform or working toward publication, Eights want to help those who are marginalized. They love to use their voice and power on behalf of those who are weak and marginalized; they view their blogs as a tool to empower, open eyes, and raise awareness. They want to be truth-tellers in any number of contexts and also be true to themselves. They want their work to challenge and inspire. They want to help people ask difficult questions.

They want to build up the community around them, as it is, not as it may be ideally. Those who are Christian reported wanting to expand the Kingdom of God. Some Eights reported wanting to use their blogs as launching pad toward other opportunities, including monetizing their sites, speaking, teaching classes, and writing ebooks or books.

What do you like about blogging?

• Immediacy

• Discussions with readers- learning from and sharing with them

• Provides space to work out their views in a public, extroverted way

• Attention

• People seeking their opinion and listening to what they have to say

• Ability to advocate for others

• Creative outlet

• Intellectual engagement

• Allows them to hone their craft as writers, especially in learning how to effectively spark conversation

• Helping people think about situations/positions/beliefs from another angle

• Encouraging others

• Friendships/community but...

• Eights also want to empower readers to spend less time on their blogs and more time actively engaged in their real life communities

• Breaking down stereotypes and getting to the core of the matter

What do you not like about blogging?

Respondents didn't like how sensitive people can be and reported some people take blog posts too seriously, as it's a short-form medium, not a dissertation. They don't like when readers misinterpret their words or misunderstand their hearts.  The discipline of critique can be demonized within the blog world, to which Eights take offense. Eights love what Richard Rohr calls "confrontational intimacy." Eights push back as a way of making contact but they don't always understand that their delight in verbal sparring may be received as aggressive, mean, or below the belt. They want to advocate for others but may step on others or be closed off to other arguments in their quest to do so.

Because Eights want to prove their strength and not be controlled by others, they might have a hard time identifying their brand. They don't want to be boxed in, even by themselves. They don't like the inherent social ladder or the middle school dramas that seem to accompany the blog community. One respondent reported she didn't like the "hidden factor of blogging- how we truly only know a certain part of someone, not the whole."  She wanted to be able to look in to her readers' eyes and know their stories. For an Eight, this might be a way of knowing where they stand and gauging whether they have the power in the situation.

Eights don't like how certain voices are prized above others based on their privilege, such as when a male blogger writes something women have been saying for years and the post goes viral or people can't praise it enough. This may make them feel weak or remind them of how much justice work still needs to be done and how they do not have the desired control/power they seek. (Reminder: Eights don't want power to rule, necessarily. They don't want to someone else to dominate them or those who are marginalized.)

What are your strengths as a blogger?

Many of the respondents noted their posts are direct and concise. They tend to write quickly and are able to connect different ideas that people wouldn't normally think to connect. They are able to be discreet. They write tight analysis. Several respondents were proud of their discipline to the craft of writing and noted how this has helped them grow.

Eights don't write for the crowd and this frees them up to say the things others won't. They'll stick it to the Man and do what they can to set captives free. They'll do anything to help those who are weak and marginalized. Eights are passionate about their causes, beliefs, and the people for whom they feel responsible and this definitely comes out in their writing. They're typically not afraid of radio silence or negative feedback. In fact, some Eights relish the opportunity to respond to negative feedback. (See "confrontational intimacy" above.) They know their voice and what they have to offer. They are true to themselves.

What are your greatest struggles/temptations as a blogger?

The Eight's greatest struggle is their shamelessness. Out of their fear of being controlled, some Eights are no holds barred when it comes to how they react. They can easily become mean and dismissive. They may not realize or care if their directness intimidates others. They might have difficulty paying attention to other writers. Eights want to protect themselves and be in control of their destiny at all times, which can make attention in the blog world a difficult beast. They might love the attention when their posts are read but get thrown off by having "fans," as fans can be fickle or can tap in to their difficulty with vulnerability.

Eights might not always know when their voice is not needed in the conversation. They might be tempted to write something just to get attention. They are quick to jump in, to advocate, to opine on whatever today's problem might be. When anger drives their response, they may regret it. Healthy Eights understand they don't need to weigh in on every conversation, nor does anger need to drive them.

A few respondents reported their biggest temptation is not to blog at all. They feel it might not be the best use of their time, as they'd prefer to be out in the field, getting their hands "dirty," so to speak. Less talk, more action. Other Eights reported difficulty in making and keeping boundaries as a chief struggle, as well as spending too much time online.

Resources: The Enneagram Institute, The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective (Rohr), Enneagram Made Easy (Baron and Wagele), The Wisdom of the Enneagram (Riso and Hudson)

To learn more about this series, as well as how the survey was conducted, please read this post. 

Type Seven

Commonly known as The Enthusiast, The Adventurer, The Generalist, The Multi-tasker

The Need to Avoid Pain

Basic Fear: Of being deprived and in pain

Basic Desire: To be satisfied and content—to have their needs fulfilled

Key Motivations: Want to maintain their freedom and happiness, to avoid missing out on worthwhile experiences, to keep themselves excited and occupied, to avoid and discharge pain.

Sevens are extroverted, optimistic, versatile, and spontaneous. They're motivated by the need to be happy and contribute to the world. What with their playful, energetic ways, Sevens can be a ton of fun! In fact, you might find yourself feeling happier and more inspired after spending time with them. High-spirited and practical, they can also misapply their many talents, becoming over- extended, scattered, and undisciplined. They constantly seek new and exciting experiences, but can become distracted and exhausted by staying on the go. They might be fully enthusiastic about one idea for as long as it holds their attention and then it's off to the next idea. When they focus on worthwhile goals, much good results. They typically have problems with impatience and impulsiveness.

At their best: fun-loving, spontaneous, imaginative, productive, enthusastic, quick, confident, charming, curious

At their worst: narcissistic, impulsive, unfocused, rebellious, undisciplined, possessive, manic, self-destructive, restless

Read this profile for a complete description of Type Seven.

Type Seven Bloggers*

Grace Biskie, Truly, Tricia, Jamie's Rabbits, Shauna Niequist, Kelly@Love Well, Leanne Penny, Cara Meredith, Jim Kast-Keat, Idelette McVicker, Annie Downs

*these are bloggers who identify as type seven; it does not indicate they have participated in the Enneagram and Blogging survey

Typical Topics:

• Relationships (parenting, friendship, marriage, dating, etc.)

• Faith/spirituality

• Humor

• General life

• DIY

• Finding beauty and hope

• Wherever the wind blows them

Why did you start blogging?

While reasons for starting a blog ranged from building a platform to sharing stories with family, many Type Sevens reported starting their blog because they:

• thought it would be fun

• needed a place to share all their ideas

• are writers and wanted to work on consistency, work toward publication, or enjoyed having a creative outlet

• wanted to explore the lies in their head and grow toward healing

Sevens might not always be the most consistent bloggers (squirrel!) but their versatility keeps people engaged. They can hold court on any number of topics. Their desire to make the world a better place is often reflected in their writing, whether bringing sunshine and laughter to their readers or raising awareness about causes and organizations close to their hearts. Don't be surprised to find Sevens engaged in multiple endeavors: blogging, writing books, recording podcasts, speaking...all this in addition to the general activity of their lives.

Do you have any goals related to blogging?

Besides building a platform or working toward publication, most Sevens seemed to want to blog more consistently but weren't sure if they'd follow through. Because of their penchant for working on whatever's currently on their mind, blogging can get lost in the wayside. Except for when it doesn't. A Seven might post once a month, if that, for a while and then offer a spate of posts in the span of a week. It all depends. Those who expressed desire to be published reported wanting to build their platform and appeared more likely to follow through on this goal.

For those Sevens who blog because they think it's fun or because they want a place to share their ideas, goals may be more theoretical. As one respondent said, "Did you mean attainable goals?" They have goals or even great ideas on how to improve but not necessarily the attention span or desire to work toward them. That's not necessarily a bad thing. It may be more important for the Seven to devote their focus toward non-blogging related endeavors. The blog will always be there, if and when they have something to share.

What do you like about blogging?

• Friendship/community

• How their stories can encourage others and offer solidarity

• Ability to shine light on important issues

• The way other blogs/posts have changed them for the better

• Creative outlet

• Helped them improve and hone their skills as writers

• Helped them process situations

• Great way to test ideas

What do you not like about blogging?

While Sevens generally enjoy learning and are curious souls, they prefer to do it on their own pace, wherever the wind blows them. To that end, they expressed not liking the detailed side of blogging: such as coding and organization. Unless Sevens are particularly interested in these things (and some are!), it will feel like one big long To Do list filled with things they hope will magically get done on their own. They can follow through, if they want, but it can be a frustrating experience. They would rather do something fun.

Respondents said they felt pressured to "play the blogging game." They didn't like having to strategize their every move or consider whether a post will go viral. They might Tweet out a post but it's more likely to be according to their dictates instead of what the experts say. They would rather write and play with their blog friends.

Sevens reporting have a love/hate relationship with vulnerability. They like sharing their story and can in fact be excellent storytellers but it can be hard for Sevens to talk about difficult circumstances, as it goes against their basic fear of experiencing pain. Healthy Sevens are able to embrace vulnerability and recognize positive thinking won't, in fact, solve every problem. When Sevens are able to open up and explore the darker side, they can become more accepting of the dualities of life: the good and the bad, happy and sad. Their blogs can be a great place to process the slings and arrows of life but it can be difficult to put it out there.

What are your strengths as a blogger?

Sevens' greatest strengths include their versatility and willingness to try anything. They typically have a fast pace, which enables them to try ever more things. They want to explore it all. They're great at brainstorming and learning new things, ever energized by this process. When they direct this energy toward their blog, good things happen for them, as they see their efforts pay off and learn they can finish what they start. Their enthusiasm for a topic inspires us to be interested in it as well.

Respondents reported their authenticity and direct yet genuine style as strengths. When they decide to share about the hard parts of their lives, they hope someone else will be encouraged and feel less alone as a result. Sevens want to be fully present in their lives and get the most out of each day, which often includes making the world a brighter place, thanks to their optimism. They report blogging has helped them figure out who they're supposed to be.

One respondent reported her greatest strength was engagement, noting every comment and tweet is worthy of a reply. She reports enjoying the resulting conversation and looks for opportunities to create more of it. It's healthy for Sevens to learn to listen and see things from another point of view.

What are your greatest struggles/temptations as a blogger?

Sevens reported their greatest temptation was to wander. They don't want to miss out on anything and tend to work on multiple projects in order to have lots of options for their flitting attention span. They believe "more is better," no matter what that might be. More projects, more food, more cat videos. This can be a way to avoid reality, however. Whatever their goals may be, blogging or otherwise, Sevens need to learn to discipline their appetites so they can work toward that which will satisfy them. 

Sevens reported a lack of focus when it comes to their writing. They don't want to be limited to one genre or niche. But healthy Sevens recognize being overly broad or unfocused hurts their writing, too. They're not quite sure what they want or what their brand should be.

It's worth noting, respondents gave minimal responses to this section, proving their basic need of avoiding pain. It can be hard for Sevens to own up to their problems. They know they're not perfect but they'd rather not think about it and head to a party instead.

Resources: The Enneagram Institute, The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective (Rohr), Enneagram Made Easy (Baron and Wagele), The Wisdom of the Enneagram (Riso and Hudson)