Returning to My Enneagram Tribe – What Keeps Me Going

Aaaaand…..we’re back!

After a many-months hiatus, I’m able to return to blogging. I’ve turned in all my materials to be considered for certification through the Enneagram Institute, and I’ll know some time within the next six months whether I’ve been accepted. I have to say, I’ve never worked harder on anything (except possibly my first book). Six academic-ish essays and a two-hour presentation later, I feel like I’ve got at least a Masters if not a Ph.D. in the Enneagram at this point!

So, my time is now freed up to return to my blog – and to begin the planning for the launch of the aforesaid first book. I’m in the midst of collating the advice and how-tos from five books on publishing and launching a book, and I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me.

I was dreading it earlier. I mean, I just finished seven months of intensive research and writing—complete with official MLA formatting and citations—and now I have to do months more of work?

But I took a week off, which felt weird at first. I kept thinking, “Shouldn’t I be DOING something?” I watched a couple movies, read for leisure (gasp!) rather than information and just relaxed in general. After the first couple of days, I began to enjoy it. I realized, “Oh, this is how most people live their lives. I can see the appeal.”

However, the particular call on my life requires a great deal of work, all the more since I also still have a day job. So, I emerged from that week of rest strangely excited and energized to buckle down and get this book-marketing show on the road.

This really is all about my call, my purpose. And my purpose isn’t really for me. If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you’ll know that one of my favorite sayings is from the Westminster Shorter Catechism: “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.”

So then, I want to give God maximum glory with my life in gratitude for who He is and just in gratitude for my life. I am made for a purpose; so are you. Working toward my purpose doesn’t make God love me any more; that’s impossible, since he already loves me utterly. It does give my life a trajectory, though, a long-term goal that gives me joy as I live it out because that’s what I was made for.

My purpose is also for you. It is seldom easy; it takes a lot of time and effort and thought. I haven’t come anywhere near turning a profit after four years. But when I start to feel overwhelmed about trying to learn SEO or marketing my first book or thinking about all the barriers to starting a podcast or the thousand details associated with a primarily online business, you know what keeps me going? You. And all the other people who might find value and even freedom because of the things I write and speak and teach about.

That’s not some smarmy marketing gimmick designed to make you like me or feel sorry for me. Gross! That’s me getting real about why I do what I do. Y’all are the joy set before me, and that is no joke.

The Enneagram figures prominently in my purpose precisely because it’s a personal development tool that can bring true, significant transformation and help people live their purpose. It’s the most powerful tool I’ve ever come across, and that’s why I will spend the rest of my life teaching, speaking and writing about it – and applying it to my daily life and relationships.

So, I’m stoked to be back in the blogging seat. I missed you, my tribe. I’ll try to post weekly, but you know how life sometimes intervenes with one’s best intentions.

Please let me know in the comments or via email (heath@heathdavishavlick.com) what topics you’d like me to cover, what burning questions you have about the Enneagram and spiritual development, or any insights you’d like to share.

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