Today I found out that my neighbor listed on my phone as “Dave Across the Hall” is moving back home. His mother is aging, his brother has been looking after her, and now it’s Dave’s time to take care of her. Despite that, Dave believes good things will come.
Dave is a good man.
He is also an Enneagram 7.
Dave is somewhere in his late 40s early 50s, and for as long as Dave has been an adult, Dave has never, as he says, “put down some roots.” He is also an extremely positive and hopeful person.
Although he…
- is giving up his entire life in arguably the most livable city in Canada (and sometimes the world)
- is moving to a small town in the Maritimes
- will be an ethnic minority
- will live with and care for aging mother
Dave is excited.
If you are like me, you might be wondering, “how could anyone be excited about that?”
Well, here’s the thing about Dave and most Enneagram 7s, they have the gift of faith.
Faith: Good Things Will Come
Dave said to me, “So many people think the universe is out to get them. Something bad happens, and they go ‘why me!?’ or ‘life is unfair!’ These people don’t understand that the universe, or if you want, God, is actually for them; they just put themselves on the wrong path. When we are on the right path, on the universe’s path, you can be sure good things will come. And that makes life exciting. “
He goes on to say, “Some people wish that they could know the future. I think that’s a terrible superpower. Sure, knowing the future might be nice and even good, but it’ll never make life great. Part of what makes life so great is the surprises we encounter. Imagine someone was planning you an epic surprise birthday party, but your stupid friend accidentally tells you. Sure, you’ll be really thankful and feeling super blessed that these people did this for you. Still, it’s an entirely different experience if you were amazed by it all.”
Sevens have an exceptional ability to believe and trust the best is yet to come— in having faith.
Although Sevens are members of the “forward-thinking” triad (7/3/4), and therefore tend to be always in the future and rarely in the present, Sevens are in some ways extremely present. They might not be the best at being present to other people. Still, they are “present” in the sense that they believe every moment can be a present, a gift, and that good things will come and are just around the corner.
The Seven goes by many names, but I often call the Seven the Enthusiastic Adventurer. It is the most straightforward name I can think of— Sevens are enthusiastic about adventurers! They are always up for a new and good experience.
But when I think of some of the other fantastic Sevens I know in my life, I think of:
- Zed who moved to Cambodia by himself to combat human trafficking by working with at-risk children.
- Em who moved to China for half a year and plans to go back regularly to help disabled orphans thrive physically, vocationally, emotionally, and spiritually.
They, along with Dave, have walked down what I call the Seven’s Road to a Rich Life (to the Enneagram 1) and have found a richer and more satisfying life than any simple experience or adventure can bring.
According to the Enneagram, when Sevens are at their best and living their best, they lean into and live like Ones. They see the greatest adventure of their life as doing the “right thing” (One trait). They develop a broader definition of the word “adventure” or “experience” and incorporate purpose, justice, and responsibility.
When reflecting on his very sudden move, Dave told me that although he had so much to do in a very short time, and although he would be leaving the city he loves and going back home to care for his aging mother, he is excited to get going. He told me how good it feels to know he is on a new path and how all he must do is walk it and wait for what good things lie ahead.
Learning from and Leaning Into the Seven
I believe that all of us can learn or be reminded of the simple truth from Dave and other Enneagram 7s that:
- the universe is not out to get us
- when we are on the right path, the right things will happen
- the greatest adventure of life is one that takes responsibility for and serves others
Questions for Reflection
- Are you on the right path?
- If you genuinely believe you are, where in your life do you need to have faith that good things will come(e.g., a surprise party)?
- How might doing the right thing and not the most exciting thing be the first step to the most remarkable journey of your life?
