Are We There Yet?

The Enneagram personality type Seven is summarized as ‘The Enthusiast’. Attributing characteristics such as busy, fun-loving, curious, optimistic, and adventurous to the individual. ‘Sevens’ are excited by the rush of ideas; generally quick responders with agile minds and often able to see the big picture. There is an underpinning abundant vitality and desire to fully participate in life each day. Or, for a more creative explanation:
‘An ant carrying a larger than life bread crumb; scrambling, overcoming obstacles, challenging reality and LOVING IT, looking for still more’.

Forced commitment to the long windy road for a Seven therefore regularly brings up the restless question “Are we there yet”? Unfortunately, unlike the response given to children on long road trips, the answer is more complicated. In short – ‘No’.

The envious quality of patience, described as “The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious”, is a distant, rarely required or embraced trait for a Seven; where life is an autobahn of dynamic choices and opportunities.

When the green light of activity turns red to an unquestionable stop, the transition to orange and back to green is fraught with detours and road works. This slow jam demands unconditional acceptance of delay, the re-routing of the roadmap and an adjusted destination timeframe. Trip meter set to zero. A forced submission to patience dictates a new strategy.

“This hill, though high, I covet to ascend;
The difficulty will not me offend.
For I perceive the way to life lies here.
Come, pluck up, heart; let’s neither faint nor fear.
Better, though difficult, the right way to go,
Than wrong, though easy, where the end is woe.”
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress

“The way of life lies here”. ”Come, pluck up, heart”. A hint of joy? That sounds like a Seven. Courage in the now. Determination in the present. Perseverance in the today. “Let’s neither faint nor fear”. A choice required, with positive options accepted. Refocus, recommit, align expectations. Discover the divine in the ordinary. Uncover the unexpected joys of the detour, peace transforming pain, healing consuming injury, through the plotting of a slow, deliberate, determined trajectory towards the green light, whilst patiently learning to enjoy the view from the jam.

“Are we here yet?” Yes. In the now we are here. In the perseverance, we are here. In the patience, we are here. In the discovery of the ordinary, we are here.