It's been a lovely few weeks learning to love what is, integrating the enneagram insights I spoke of in my last blog post. What I am beginning to notice (you may know this better than I) is how eager the Spirit is to provide what one needs once the need has become conscious. Let me explain.
Looking at Type One, the Perfectionist, I have had to admit how desperately I punish myself for sins and imperfections, real and imagined. And at the same time, how desperately I defend myself against criticism, constructive or gratuitous. It's a bit like having an internal older brother -- I'll beat myself up with abandon, but don't let anyone else take a swing at me, even if I deserve it!!
So, of course, the first thing I do is troll around looking for clues to how to avoid all this pain. There are some, most of which are terribly obvious and no less useful for being plain as the nose on one's face. Detach from your inner critic, take breaks from your work, appreciate other people's gifts and contributions (no, you don't have to do it all). I'm chagrined to acknowledge how few of these I actually recall from having read the list several times in the last week! But there is one that has really stuck with me -- one that the Spirit seems to want me to pay attention to.
