This is a continuation / Part 2 of my first post:
Enneagram: "A Tool For Compassion" - Sleeping At Last

THREE just came out, and I knew that I would have to give myself some time to listen carefully - uninterrupted. So I did. Wow, this EPISODE struck me in a different way from the last two - especially since I AM a Three. Some of my friends have taken free tests, and I'm not sure how accurate their results were. For example, a friend told me he was a 5, but I had a sneaking suspicion that he was not. I asked him to pay $10, and take THIS TEST , and I'm glad he did because he ended up testing as a different number (which is the number I thought he was - hehe). The key to taking this test is to be brutally honest and make our best effort in being self aware, and not just select answers that describe the person you WANT to be.

I'm fairly confident that I when I took this test a while ago, the results were accurate, and I am definitely a 3. Here's why: To be quite honest, after listening to this episode - I feel emotionally exhausted! It feels like I came out of a free therapy session. I've come to the conclusion that if you admire the healthy version of your number and cringe a little bit when hearing about the unhealthy version (I've also heard it described as "true self vs false self" - which I like better), then that is most likely your number.

I already feel incredibly vulnerable letting it be known that I'm a Three, but I'll just say that if you listen to this podcast - Chris Heuertz (who contributes his super insightful thoughts for each Enneagram/SAL episode) is spot on in his description about those who are dominant in type Three. You will know my inner thoughts if you listen to his assessment of us Threes. Everything from my tendency to want to "lead from behind" to needing constant affirmation (*cringe*) - I felt so exposed. The flip side of this though is that I felt incredibly understood. There were several moments I may or may not have shed a tear hearing Heuertiz describe why as aThree, I might often feel so misunderstood. I now understand why I gravitate towards the phrase "adding value" - especially into someone else's life.

As for Sleeping At Last, Ryan O'Neal has done it again. I really was tracking with all of his musical decisions (even the ones he decided against). It was truly a profound choice to keep the song intimate and simple vs. epic and produced to the max. I don't know how he does it song after song, but it is yet another BEAUTIFUL piece that is incredibly well written, and performed masterfully. A part of me doesn't want to elaborate too much here because I want you to experience it for yourself. I HIGHLY recommend you listening to the episode and song in its entirety - especially if you're a type Three (or have loved ones in your life that are 3s).

Once again, I'm deeply moved and grateful for this thoughtful and important project (so much that I wrote about it twice). It is good to be understood, and to be seen. Can't wait for the rest of the numbers!