How Do I Use the Enneagram Instincts?

After the pandemic, we long for human connection perhaps more than ever before in recent history, maybe even all-time.

With all of our checked-out social media behaviors that really don't fulfill us as much as true human connection, however, I think we finally realize this. Like Desmond Tutu said, “There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.”

We've decided as a world culture that, whatever precautions we still need to take to avoid disease, being together is better than being alone.

And yet when these relationships are broken or hit a rough patch, it's so tempting to not only withdraw, but to withdraw for good. It's tempting to look only dualistically at one another and to say, "I wash my hands of you and your brokenness."

And yet in doing this, we lose the opportunity to do what the late Desmond Tutu was so instrumental in teaching us as a world - that to connect with one another as humans is what it truly means to be human and to be children of God.

As we reflect on the year gone by before we turn fully ahead, this podcast gives you a flow and a rhythm for how to make sure you're staying refreshed, healthy, and in control of your basest emotions, your self-preserving instinct, your sexual instinct, and your social instinct.

In my long time of working with couples and families, I have gone upstream with them time and again to see where the problem is, and so many times it's right here at the instinctual level. They're not prioritizing their greatest needs for balance and healing alone and together before trying to take on the world. I don't blame them, we all fall into unhealthy patterns sometimes. However, it's examining what's upstream and really trying to change dysfunction that makes all the difference.

To help you into 2022 with all the grace and goodness I hope for you, tune in to hear this short and sweet (but ever so important topically!) podcast as you prepare for a relationally healthier you this new year!