Finding the light

Michelle Obama writes in her recent book The Light We Carry: 'I believe that each of us carries a bit of inner brightness, something entirely unique and individual, a flame that's worth protecting. When we are able to recognise our own light, we become empowered to use it'.

The Enneagram cannot find your individual light for you - only you can do that - however I would argue that working to understand oneself a little more can help and the Enneagram believes that all the Types have spiritual gifts that they bring to the world. However, because they come so naturally to each Type, a person of that Type can be unaware of them or of the effects that they have on those around them. The slightly startling reality is that we often simply do not see our own gifts. As Michelle Obama states, we have to recognise our own light. It is the recognition of what we have to offer the world - an understanding of where our light, our gifts and our own voice is - that empowers us to use them. And only then are we able to marry them effectively with our skills and talents to shine more consciously and brightly upon the world. And there is, in my experience, absolutely nothing that compares to knowing that you are using the you of yourself to make a positive difference in the world. And I believe that this world, more than ever, needs that from each and every one of us.