Why is my blog about a recovering sloth?

Over the years friends, from around the world, have asked me if I know my Enneagram number. I had never heard of an Enneagram number until about ten years ago. I was intrigued to find out more because I like to learn about myself: what makes me tick? what are my blindspots? what are my character defects? what are my strengths and skills? Way more than ten years ago I was introduced to True Colors and this personality type system worked well for me because there are only four types to learn, and they are colors – I resonate strongly with colors! Over the years I valued the True Colors system so much so that I finally undertook the training and have facilitated groups in church and work settings. I am bright Blue with Gold as my secondary color. In 2018, I read The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin, which I also resonated with because – again – there are only four tendencies to learn. These four tendencies describe how we respond to both external and internal expectations, and I find it extremely helpful to understand myself. I am an Obliger (who has had an Obliger Rebellion) who leans into Upholder (and I can experience Upholder Tightening at times). So, you will understand that when I discovered that the Enneagram has Nine (9!) types, and I that I would need to learn my Dominant Type, I let this system slowly ebb away from my attention. However, this changed in January 2026 when my Spiritual Director asked me if I knew my Enneagram number. Sigh! Okay, tell me more about this system. When she explained that the Enneagram helps us understand why we respond to stressors, life events, and conflicts the way we do, I was hooked. I asked her for a book recommendation. That afternoon I went to my local bookstore and purchased The Road Back to You by Ian Cron & Suzanne Stabile. I started reading it at 6am the next morning, underlining, highlighting, writing notes in the margins, and the next thing I knew it was 5pm and I had to think about what was for dinner. I was hooked. I am a Type 9 (Peacemaker) with a predominant Type 1 (Perfectionist) wing, but can pop across to Type 8 (Challenger) wing when the situation calls for a bit more oomph. Let me assure you, I do not like the words Perfectionist or Challenger. I am okay with Peacemaker. But I soon noticed that as a Blue/Gold and Obliger/Upholder it made perfect sense that I would be 9wing1. I like it when systems like this support each other – it adds credibility to all three systems. One of the startling concepts I learned about the Enneagram is that a “deadly sin” is attached to each number. My deadly sin is sloth. I found this somewhat funny (hilarious actually) as I am known for being a busy little bee! Before we get onto the sloth part, here is a great quote from Richard Rohr about sin: “Sins are fixations that prevent the energy of life, God’s love, from flowing freely. [They are] self-erected blockades that cut us off from God and hence from our own authentic potential.” According to Ian Cron, “The true purpose of the Enneagram is to reveal to you your shadow side and offer spiritual counsel on how to open it to the transformative light of grace.” I will explain more tomorrow, but my ‘sloth’ tendency is of a spiritual nature, not everyday general laziness. Why have I self-described as a “recovering sloth”? Because I want to reach my potential, and be open to the transformative light of grace. This is one of the reasons I am attending Seminary this fall and spending the next two years in the Spiritual Transformation degree program. Why wouldn’t I?