Type 7 Enneagram

I’m a seven on the enneargram. It is like the myers Briggs and is a personality test. Very useful tool to learn about yourself and about others. I highly recommend to check it out if you haven’t. I had a great visit to Minnesota for my cousin Carlene’s wedding. It was great seeing all the family. It went by too quickly. I wish I could have spent more time catching up with extended family.  It was a wonderfully spent weekend. I went out and celebrated Halloween which was fun. Indoor soccer just started. I’m in an over 30 league so I am the young buck on the team. I scored three goals in the first game however I sprained my ankle and still recovering from that. A few days before that I got a rock climbing membership at a climbing gym in a suburb. It felt great to get back climbing. I went climbing today. I have no stamina like I use to when I was climbing about a decade ago. I also have little strength compared to back then. It is going to take me a while to get the endurance and power back. So that is an exciting challenge for me.

This last week was a really hard week. Sometimes I feel I am the only person who is about helping the community and not about the self. People will always think differently and some peoples view of community is totally different from mine. Infact it is almost as if  its “let me do my own thing mentality and you do your thing.”  One would also think that striving for religious life would mean that everyone in the community would strive to make themselves better holy people. Wanting to go the extra yard to make a difference in the world. Instead is filled with rumors, gossip,  and filling up lives with unnecessary drama.  Today I feel God must be shaking his heads thinking what are these people doing? They don’t get it!

During the weekend I went to New Glarus Brewery. Probably the best Brewery tour I have ever been on. I think Spotted Cow is the best beer in Wisconsin followed by Moon man. You can only get there beers in Wisconsin. I was also able to go Mountain Biking one last time because it warmed up a bit. I’m sure the cold front will be coming back soon.

Here is a quick over view of a Type 7 on the enneagram which is my type.

Type Seven in Brief

Sevens are extroverted, optimistic, versatile, and spontaneous. Playful, 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 typically have problems with impatience and impulsiveness. At their Best: they focus their talents on worthwhile goals, becoming appreciative, joyous, and satisfied.

         Basic Fear: Of being deprived and in pain

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

         Enneagram Seven with a Six-Wing: "The Entertainer"

         Enneagram Seven with an Eight-Wing: "The Realist"

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.

 We had our first snow fall of the year. Luckily it has already melted

 This is in the town of New Glarus which is known as Little Switzerland. Stopped and had a aVenison brat and swiss cheese fondue.

Testing the beer to make sure it tastes right at New Glarus. I like the tour because you have the ability to interact with the employees. Infact I spent about 15 minutes wight the microbiologist who was testing the beer for different mold or bacteria in the beer. 

Triggered

Triggered. I really got triggered today in Just Faith. Just Faith is a a 30 week class where we meet once a week to talk about poverty and Social Justice  in the world. We meet at St. Mary's Parish in a Suburb of Milwaukee. We were talking about poverty. I talked about my experience in Tanzania about poverty there and yet they were happy and I talked about the frustrations I had with there type of thinking of only the present and not the future. They would eat everything they had now and starve in the future because that is how they have done it from generation to generation. Anyways there is this woman who left the conversation and talked on her phone for about 15 minutes and then when she came back I felt she attacked me. She said, “that is so American and cliché that we assume and think they are happy. We do that just to make ourselves feel better. They are struggling in life and they know life is hard.” She went on for about 10 minutes staring at me telling me how I am wrong infront of everyone because she had been to Haiti and seen extreme poverty there. Maybe it wasn’t a direct attack on me but it sure felt like it. I was ready to rip her head off and prove her wrong. Then I realized why and I getting so upset of this. Why am I triggered. Is it because she is right? Is it because she is attacking my view? Is it because she is like me a is a rich white person who lives in suburbia in a bubble who occasionally goes out and volunteers to make themselves feel better and feel they have contributed to society and then goes back to there bubble with a 50 inch flat screen TV. I refrained and let it go. I don’t need to prove her wrong or prove anybody. That is my ego that wanted to rip her a new one. My picture below is how I felt. I was King Leonidas for Halloween. He is a character from the movie 300.

Maybe the people in Tanzania weren’t happy and just putting a mask on.  Maybe they were happy to me because I was from America, or white or just someone who wants to listen to them and talk to them. I know for a fact though some of the happiest people I have ever seen in my life live in Tanzania. I am sure they are all not happy and some don’t know any different but I do know what I experienced.  I haven’t written in my blog for a bit but I needed to vent.

ESFP or ENFP

ESFP or ENFP. A week ago we took the Meyers Briggs exam. I test as an ESFP but I feel I relate more to the ENFP when I was reading the descriptions of each one.  But I am not sure so in reality I probably am an ESFP. I am borderline between the S and N. I thought is the retreat was very informative. I recommend everyone should take a Meyers Briggs test to learn more about yourself. They have free ones online. I thought it was a very fun seminar. I even googled both personality types ESFP and ENFP when I got home to read more about each one.

ENFP

Warmly enthusiastic, high-spirited, ingenious imaginative. Able to do almost anything that interests. Quick with a solution for any difficulty and ready to help anyone with a problem Often rely on ability to improvise instead of preparing in advance. Can usually find a compelling reasons for what ever he wants.

ESFP 

Outgoing, easygoing, accepting, friendly, enjoys everything and makes things more fun for others by their enjoyment. Likes sports and making things happen. Know what's going on and joins in gladly. Remembering facts easier than mastering theories. Best in situations that need sound common sense and practical ability with people and things. 

On Sunday Preston decided to leave. I felt kind of bummed out but I know he is doing the right thing. He was my roommate last year and he is a great guy. But he has been miserable this year so far He is only 27 and I think he needs to go and explore life more.

Thursday was a good day. I went for a walk along the lake and sat there for a while sitting in silence with the water rolling up onto the beach. It was a very peaceful afternoon. I went for a walk on the grass and said screw it I’m going to run as hard as I can. I don’t care about me knee. I took off my sandals and sprinted. It was the best thing I could have done. It felt freeing. I was running then cutting hard at 45-degree angles from side to side then 90-degree angles. I felt great. I tried to do figure runs with the twisting of the knee but my knee isn’t ready for that. Then the next day a little soreness but not too bad. I’m so glad to be running again. I’m going to try and enjoy this amazingly warm October weather as long as possible.

 This is Nick who is Dave's youngest kid. He loves bouncing on this red donkey. Easily entertained

 The leaves are changing color and are starting to fall. The weather is slowly dropping

I'm with Jason and his wife Michelle which most of the Soccer guys from SMU attended in St. Joseph Michigan

Where is God

I went down to Evanston for 4 continuing education classes. It was great seeing some of my old coworkers, students, teachers. However a part of me felt I was missing out on something. It brought back a lot of good memories. Yet at the same time I knew I didn't belong there. I felt kinda torn. One of the speakers talked about a case study. a 23 year old male who was miss diagnosed. He has a rare leukemia and there is nothing they can do. He probably only has about 6 months left. I am sitting there thinking where is the justice. WHere are you God? I know bad things happen all the time but for some reason I was struggling with this one. I know babies die and people are starving to death. I know the world is not fair. How could I tell this person that God loves them. I am sure they would respond, "How can you tell me that God loves me? Why would God do this to me?" I don't think GOd is punishing him or anyone. It is just a part of life. I would ask why not me. How come I am not the one with Leukemia. Would I have the peace inside me that my life was going to end in 6 months or sooner. 

I am reading this book called He Leadeth me. It is by Walter Ciszek a Jesuit priest form America who went o do missionary work in Poland. Well WW2 started and he got sent to Russia and was in a 6ft x 10ft cell with no windows a poop bucket and is let out only for interrogation. They interrogated him for a whole year and he had one day of weakness and signed something that said he was a spy from the Vatican even though it was not true. His punishment was 15 years of Manual labor in Siberia. He would shovel for 15 hours a day. How does one not give up on life? Why would one want to deal with the pain and suffering everyday. He said, that he decided to completely surrender to God. If they wanted to kill him then so be it. He was at peace once he put his entire trust in God. In fact he thought it was God's mission for him to work hard everyday in the camps. He believed what he was doing in the camp was to help humanity and that what is what God wanted. He was at peace. Others accused him as helping the communists but he said no I am here to help God. How does one have such deep faith and totally give up one's life to God. I don't know how to do it. I say that I am giving up control but am I really? I guess that is why they call it faith.

 This is the Scalabrini sisters from Chicago and Gladson who is an Augustinian novice. We had a retreat in Racine on Family systems. It was mostly about your interaction with the different members in your family and the role every one in the family plays. The birthing order can play a big role in all families. I am the second born and the baby of the family so most of the time I feel responsible for the stability in the family structure. They can feel the pain or tension related to the intensity of an unresolved conflict in the family. They can also collect other's feelings and tensions as if they were there own. And the list goes on and on. However not every one fits every exact mold. But there are many other aspects that get affected like culture and environment.

 Dave, Patric and I went to see the Brewers get there butts kicked by the cubs

 I met this guy named Rob from Fairmont Minnesota and he is a big vikings fan as well He is also into mountain biking. THis view is from the top of the roof of the apartment complex he lives in.

This is Clare who is Dave's daughter. She wanted my helga horns so I gave them to her for the day. Her dad is a huge Packers fan. Infact t was a Packer's party and I was the stand out Viking sheep. Luckily both teams lost.

Festivals

 Labor day I spent with Dave Holton and his kids at the beach down in Racine. It was a lot of fun playing soccer on the beach with his kids. We also made sand castles and then took turns burying each other. It was very enjoyable. His gives are very sweet and funny. Kids really say the funniest things. Dad was blaring Blackeyed peas in the van ride home and the kids were swinging there arms and trying to dance crazy in there booster chairs. It was very entertaining

 I went with two guys to Lake Geneva Wisconisn. Very touristy place for Illinois people. Illinois plates everywhere. It was also a nice ride down. It was hot. It was 96 degrees a couple of days ago and now it is 65 degrees. Lots of change in weather.

 This picture is from Irish fest. I learned a little bit of Celtic dancing and took at 30 minute class learning the gaelic language. Lots of great bands and singers. I think it is the largest attended festival of all the festivals. Harley Davidson celebrated 110 years and had a huge festival down by the lake. harley's every where riding around. It was quit the rally.

This is spring in Kettle Morraine State park. i went Mountain biking for the day at the Emma Carlin trail. The mountain biking is very good here. Plenty of variety with trees, rocks, prairie, hills, mud, and even sand. Afterwards I stopped by this spring just to relax. The water was crystal clear. You could see the bottom and all the fish swimming around.

I volunteered at Indian Summer. It is the big Native American festival here in Milwaukee. I helped out at the Congregation of the Great Spirit booth. I helped out by serving food. It was a good funraiser for the church. The picture above is the grand entrance for the military who have served our country. It was a very impressive gran march. There was Numerous dance competitions that were fun to watch. I also enjoyed many native flute artists. I then helped out at the mass they had which was celebrated by Bishop Listewki. We did a smudging ceremony at the beginning over the people who attended. The mass was in celebration of Kateri Takewtiha a Mohawk Native America Saint. The mass was quit enjoyabl especially because the bishop had no idea what was going on a times and the look on his face was priceless. Infact the best part was this old man gave a petition in Lakota and then walked away from the podium. The bishop then wrapped up the prayer. But the prayers were not done. Then an old lady from Menomonie gave a petition in her language then walked away from the podium and the bishop thought the petitions were done so he wrapped it up again. Then another guy form the audience walked up to the podium in a packers jersey and a packers hat on his head and gave a petition in ojibwa. The look on the Bishops face was priceless. Well that was the last prayer and the Bishop ed the prayer a third time. Then communion was utter chaos but it worked out. The mass totally made my day.

As like anyone else I have my good days and bad days. I have been enjoying most of the classes I am having this year. I am keeping open in thought in prayer. I really enjoyed Pope Francis speech to the youth in Brazil. "We need modern day saints. Saints not in habits or cassocks, or collars. We need Saints the chew bubble gum, go to movies, listen to their iPads and wear jeans. We need Saints that enjoy dancing and to have a beer". Is this our Pope? This guy is awesome. He is a real human being. There is a change that is happening in the Catholic church and it is a nice breath of fresh air.

Liminal Space

Liminal Space. Well right now I feel I am in between places i’m not here nor there. I’m not sure where I am. I feel I am not sure who I am. It is definitely an empty feeling. Most transitions are not easy. I’m really not sure what to expect to happen to me this year. Novitiate is a time to go deep into ones self to see God in themselves and where does that lead one.  I feel my motto for the year is going to be one day at a time. I hope I can go deeper each day into my inner being and see what inside me is really saying. This is and has already been tough for me.

I helped out again at the Polish pilgrimage. Once again I think I gained 5 pounds over 2 days. They feed you all the time. The say, “Don’t be shy eat some more”. After I already had 4 plates of food. Then when you leave they say take food with you. You might get hungry on the way home I’m thinking I am stuffed and it is only a 2 hour drive. I’m pretty sure I won’t starve. But food is love for the Polish culture. It blew me away last year at how many people participate. Old people walking 18 miles. It is incredible. It is nostalgic. It is there history, religion, culture, it is apart of who they are as polish to do this pilgrimage. It is very important to the people.  I feel proud to have polish routes and be apart of it.

I also went to Irish fest again this year. Learned a little bit of Gaelic. Drank some Irish beer and did some Celtic dancing. Great music.

I have been riding my bike a lot and have been swimming in Lake Michigan. Not sure how healthy the water is but I heard the e-coli level is down right now. So why not swim while it is still warm.  I have a lot of time for reading this year. I am already taking advantage of the time. Some one said to me the other day. “Wow it must be nice to have a whole year to really spend time and go deep to learn who you are”. That is a true it is a gift and yet having this much time to think can be scary. I definitely feel I have time to think about anything and everything and to be honest it is scary. I’m used to being very active and doing things. It is hard. Some days I do feel I am wasting my talents and skills. That I should be doing something with my life and not sit here contemplating. Am I on the threshold of transformation?

 The night of entrance with the Superior General from Brazil. Wearing a Nigerian outfit instead of a habit

 This is the novice class for this year.

 Over 6000 people for the Polish pilgrimage

Lake Michigan at Sand dunes National Beach in Indiana