Pleasure seekers and planners, in search of distraction
People of this personality type are essentially concerned that their lives be an exciting adventure. Sevens are future oriented, restless people who are generally convinced that something better is just around the corner. They are quick thinkers who have a great deal of energy and who make lots of plans. They tend to be extroverted, multi-talented, creative and open minded. They are enthusiasts who enjoy the pleasures of the senses and who don't believe in any form of self-denial.
Sevens are practical people who have multiple skills. They know how to network and to promote themselves and their interests. They often have an entrepreneurial spirit and are able to convey their enthusiasm to those with whom they come in contact. When they are able to focus their talents, they are often highly successful. Focusing does not always come easily for Sevens, however. Their tendency to believe that something better awaits them, makes them reluctant to narrow down their options or to pursue their aims with true devotion.
The central problem for Sevens is that their pursuit of pleasure is compulsive. Sevens are fear types who are specifically afraid of the power of negative states of mind. These they avoid by seeking distractions in the external environment: by multi-tasking, by keeping their options open, by engaging in stimulation seeking of all kinds. For this reason, Sevens are more prone than most to addictions of all sorts, whether it be to shopping, gambling, drugs or whatever.
Sevens usually have a high opinion of themselves and their talents; they tend to focus on their strengths and virtues and to downplay their flaws and vices. They are often a bit self-centred which manifests in an unfounded feeling of entitlement. As Sevens don't want to confront their own darker emotions, they also have difficulty acknowledging the pain that others experience, so that they sometimes have a hard time seeing the reality of other people. The extent of the Seven's flight from negative emotions is really a measure of the Seven's mental health; the more that the Seven flees from them, the more their strength grows and the more likely they are to erupt into consciousness in the form of an anxiety disorder or a severe depressive episode.
As they are outward looking and not especially prone to introspection, it is not uncommon for Sevens to mistype themselves. Sometimes they mistype as Eights, as Sevens too can be domineering, especially if Eight is the dominant wing. But Eights are not anxious and they lack the quick, mental energy that is characteristic of the Seven. Sevens can easily mistype as Threes, but Threes are much more single minded than Sevens and don't suffer from the desire to keep all options open. Surprisingly, Sevens can mistype as Fours. When they recognize the disparity between the optimistic, fun loving persona that they project to the world and their own, often anxious internal mental states, they can confuse their pain with the melancholia of type Four. Sevens are in flight from this pain however, whereas Fours often cultivate their negative mental states.
At their best: Fun-loving, imaginative,
confident, charming, curious, productive, they focus their talents on
worthwhile goals, becoming appreciative and joyous.
At their worst: Narcissistic, impulsive,
unfocussed, restless, rebellious, self-destructive, they tend to be ungrounded,
dissipated, lost in plans and fantasies.
What do I think of Myself?
1. Most people are too serious; if you lighten up you brighten up. 2. I want people to think of me as a fun person to be with. 3. I've rarely met a person I couldn't like.4. I love to daydream. 5. I'm a good conversationalist, with a fund of stories to tell. 6. I try to avoid painful situations; if I'm hurt, I withdraw. 7. You can never have too much of a good thing. 8. I'm often complimented on being the life and soul of the party. 9. I'm very open to people‑not suspicious or judgmental. 10. I was very happy as a child. 11. I like to get a quick response to requests; I hate waiting around. 12. I make great plans. 13. I'm much too optimistic a person to dwell on life's difficulties. 14. I'm very much a child at heart, playful and fun‑loving. 15. I prefer my conversation light and cheerful, not serious and heavy. 16. I enjoy life to the full. 17. In spite of the hassle, things generally workout in the end. 18. Everything has its place in the grand design of the universe. 19. It's abnormal to be sad for too long. 20. My plans are often a bit up in the air and short on concrete details. 21. I don't have the perseverance to match my enthusiasms. 22. People see me as superficial rather than substantial. 23. In my view the future holds great things in store for us. 24. I like things to be nice and pleasant. 25. I don't like confrontations; I prefer to paper over the cracks.
What do I miss because of my distorted style?
1) A sense of inner strength and
satisfaction that comes from working hard at something and accomplishing
it. 2) A deep character that is etched
by perseverance and suffering and endurance.
3) Experiencing the full range of emotions - the negative as well as
positive. 4) Meeting your shadow and
discovering its riches. 5) The
tranquillity of solitude, silence, and inner stillness. 6) Not being afraid of the dark; experience
of growth in desolation; thoroughly understanding something. 7) Deep interpersonal relationship based on
sharing all of yourself - not just the bright side or light sides.
SEVENS with a more developed SIX wing tend to be more loyal, endearing,
responsible, and anxious.
SEVENS with a
more developed EIGHT wing tend to be more
exuberant, aggressive, competitive, and materialistic.
SEVENS with SIXES
Traits slightly conflict: Situational Inflexibility
-oriented
towards experience -oriented
towards people
-depend
on environment -depend
on people
to make them happy to
make them happy
-plans
for all situations -rules
for all situations
Balancing}-avoid pain,
unpleasantness---------------> -stick-to-it-tiveness
Points: }
-future-oriented-----------------------------> -duty-present
-"more is
better"----------------------------> -moderation
SEVENS with EIGHTS
Traits reinforce
aggressivity:
Excessiveness
-"more
is better" -intensity
in all things
(demands they make on the environment and the strength of their egos to
enforce those demands)
Balancing}-everything is
beautiful---------------------> -in
touch with negative, hostile self
Points: } -avoid
painful -------------------------------> -meet
situations head on
-planning,
not doing ------------------------> -achievement
-irresponsible
--------------------------------> -control
Arrows
When SEVENS move toward the positive
side of FIVE, they:
-become quieter and more
introspective and objective
-explore subjects in depth and
place more value on wisdom and self-discipline
-become more accepting of both
polarities of life: good and bad, happy and sad
-become more serious and are
taken more seriously
-get in touch with their fears
When SEVENS move toward the negative
side of FIVE, they push their ideas onto people, can
become more self-absorbed and escape responsibilities.
When SEVENS move toward the negative
side of ONE, they:
-become cynical and
hypercritical; snarl (bark), and try to change people
-become judgmental of
themselves and others; can't laugh at themselves
-think in terms of black and
white and "know" they have the truth
-blame others for preventing
them from having fun; feel a pervasive, low-level irritability
-become obsessive about an
idea or project
When SEVENS move toward the positive
side of ONE, they become more productive and follow
through; put their ideals into action; become less interested in pleasing
themselves and more interested in the welfare of others; weigh their options
more wisely.
Conversion
1) Get to the heart of the matter, rather than remain on the
surface and risk being forever superficial. Stay with what you are doing and
thoroughly investigate it until you really understand it; chew and digest as
against gulp down indiscriminately. Channel your energies and stay focussed as
against scattering and getting distracted.
2) Give rather take. You need to temper your
thirst for instant gratification and "grab now", and learn to contribute
rather than consume. Do what is worth doing; do your share of personal and
social work and happiness will follow.
3) Face the pain, not seek to avoid it. You must stop trivialising
serious issues. Making fun of problems will not make you go away or contribute
towards a solution. Stay with the pain as against trying to avoid it or
rationalise it or sublimate it...Watch making light of the situation instead of
expressing your anger or being assertive.
4) Control your impulsive nature. It is important to know which
enthusiasms to act on and which to control. Be still and observe; take the
position of the fair witness, the detached observer; watch as against react.
5) Learn the value of solitude and silence. Your constant need for
distractions and stimulation needs checking. Appreciate aloneness and silence.
Be present to all that's there: the good and the bad, the pleasurable and
painful, the light and dark.
Transformations
1. I
now release all reckless and destructive impulses.
2.
I NOW RELEASE feeling that I will be overwhelmed by anxiety.
3.
I NOW RELEASE all compulsions and addictions.
4.
I NOW RELEASE burning myself out by trying to satisfy all of my desires.
5.
I NOW RELEASE running away from the consequences of my actions.
6.
I NOW RELEASE insulting and abusing others to vent my frustrations.
7.
I NOW RELEASE allowing my insecurities to drive me into dangerous situations
and behaviour.
8.
I NOW RELEASE sacrificing my health and happiness for instant gratification.
9.
I NOW RELEASE being demanding and impatient with others.
10.
I NOW RELEASE fearing that there will not be enough for me.
11
I NOW RELEASE always feeling that I need more.
12.
I NOW RELEASE wanting every moment to be exciting and dramatic.
13.
I NOW RELEASE escaping from myself through distractions and constant activity.
14.
I NOW RELEASE letting my lack of self-discipline ruin my opportunities.
15.
I NOW RELEASE overextending myself with more than I can do well.
16.
I NOW RELEASE believing that external things will make me happy.
17. I now affirm
that I am happiest when I am calm and centred.
18.
I NOW AFFIRM that I can say no to myself without feeling deprived.
19.
I NOW AFFIRM that there will be enough for me of whatever I need,
20.
I NOW AFFIRM that I am resilient in the face of setbacks.
21.
I NOW AFFIRM that I find satisfaction in ordinary things.
22.
I NOW AFFIRM that I stay with projects until I complete them.
23.
I NOW AFFIRM that I care deeply about people and am committed to their
happiness.
24.
I NOW AFFIRM that there is a spiritual dimension to my life.
25.
I NOW AFFIRM that I am profoundly grateful to be alive.
Prayer
A) Lord God, you have been asking me to
slow down long enough to discover the depth and beauty within. I often see the
ridiculous side of life and am able to make people laugh. I also know now that
sometimes I don't realise the seriousness of the moment and talk without
sensitivity. You have invited me to discover that real joy is not dependent on
outside circumstances but lies essentially within my own heart. You have
helped, Lord, to dig beneath the surface so as to gain the true perspective of
depth. Lord, have mercy.
B) Lord God, I thank you for giving me a
childlike enthusiasm and the ability to enjoy the good things in life. Show me
how to embrace everything with temperance and moderation. Help me to see that
running away from pain does not lead to true happiness. Give me the wisdom to
discover that joy is to be found, not in the superficial, but within the depths
of my own heart. Amen.
1.
Do not allow
yourself to be impulsive. But, get in
the habit of observing your impulses rather than giving in to them. This means letting most of your impulses
pass and becoming a better judge of which ones are worth acting on. The more you restrain yourself from acting on
impulse, the more you will be in control of yourself and will discover that you
are better able to focus on what is really good for you.
2.
Learn to
listen to other people. They are often
interesting, and you may learn things that will open doors for you. Also learn to appreciate silence and
solitude: you do not have to distract yourself (and protect yourself from
anxiety) with constant noise from the television or the stereo. By learning to live with less external stimulation,
you will learn to trust yourself. You
will be happier than you expect because you will be satisfied with whatever you
do, even if it is less than you have been doing.
3.
You do not
have to have everything this very moment. That tempting new acquisition will
most likely still be available tomorrow (this is certainly true of food,
alcohol, and other common gratifications -- that ice cream cone, for
instance). Most good opportunities will
come back again-- and you will be in a better position to discern which
opportunities really are best for you.
4.
Always choose
quality over quantity, especially in your experiences. The ability to have experiences of quality
can be learned only by giving your full attention to what you do. If you avidly consume your experiences
without assimilating them, you undermine the possibility of ever being
satisfied.
5.
Make sure
that what you want will really be good for you in the long run. As the saying goes, watch what you pray for
since your prayers may be answered. In
the same vein, think about the long-term consequences of what you want since
you may get It only to find that it becomes a source of unhappiness.
6.
Happiness
usually comes indirectly, as a by-product of giving yourself to something
worthwhile. Happiness occurs when we are
doing other things properly. When their
priorities are right, people become happy without seeking happiness as their
primary goal. Therefore, do not make being happy your main goal in life since
it will lead you down the wrong path, toward being demanding and self-centred.
7.
Beware of
your tendency to get out of control. It
is easy for you to do so because you are naturally enthusiastic about
everything. You have a great deal of
energy and strong appetites. Your type's
deepest fear is of being deprived, but by not denying yourself some things you
will inevitably be deprived not only of the happiness you seek but of many
other things besides.
8.
You can be
very funny and entertaining. Your sense
of humour, wit, and flamboyance are a source of pleasure for you and
others. However, watch what you
say. Avoid any tendency to be rude or to
say more than you mean for effect or to get a reaction from others. You may well hurt people and damage your
relationships just for the sake of getting off a joke or for having the last
word. It is not worth ruining,
friendships and hurting people just to get a laugh.
9.
Find way s of
giving rather than getting. The saving
that "it is better to give than to receive" is worth
considering. Material possessions will
never fully satisfy you for a number -of reasons: you can, by definition, never
have all you want, and even if you could, how Is it possible for a thing to
fulfill a person? Persons are not things,
so material objects will never satisfy your deepest needs. The only "thing" that can really
satisfy a person is a relationship with another person. If your attraction to the material world gets
in the way of this deeper source of satisfaction, you are going in the wrong
direction.
10.
One of your
highest psychological and spiritual capacities is for joy and for feeling
intense gratitude for all that you have.
Remember to take time to be grateful and to allow yourself to be
enthralled by existence: your sense of wonder at the beauty and preciousness of
life will lead you into unexpected realms.
Prepare to be surprised.
A) Sinfulness to
Pray Through ...
1. SEVENS over-idealise. Si 2. Be prepared for difficulties.
2. SEVENS tend to withdraw when they are
hurt. Heb 2:5-18. Jesus remaining in the painful human reality
and submitting to death.
3. SEVENS live in the future to avoid the pain
of the present. II Cor 1:3-7. Be present to the God of consolation.
4. SEVENS don't deal with pain of the past. They move on too quickly and fail to learn
the lessons pain can teach them. Heb
5:7-10. What Jesus learned in pain.
5. SEVENS are daydreamers. Lk 13:6-9.
The need to bear fruit.
6. SEVENS move to new things
too quickly. Mk 7:24-30. Perseverance of the Syrophoenician woman.
7. SEVENS' plans can be
abstract and unrealistic. Jr
29:11-14. Try to get in touch with God's
plans for the future and the people.
8. SEVENS find it hard to make
concrete decisions to fulfill their plans.
Dt 30:15-20. The call to choose.
9. SEVENS are poor on the carry through. Their enthusiasm can die too quickly. Lk 14:34-35.
Salt losing its savour.
10. SEVENS are impractical and
need to learn how to take concrete steps to fulfill their plans. Mk 9:2-8.
Transfiguration. Peter wants to
stay and cease his engagement in real life.
11. SEVENS can have abstract
visions that do not get put into practice or are out of touch with reality. Mt
7: 21-27. A call to do the will of God,
not just think about it.
12. SEVENS can be insensitive
in the ways they impose their plans on others. 2 Cor 1: 15-2:4. Paul changes his plans because of his
sensitivity to his situation.
13. SEVENS can be naive. Ps 62.
Put your trust in God not in human beings.
14. SEVENS avoid what is
painful, disruptive, or negative. Jr 18:
1-18. See what the potter is capable of
doing with what was originally not good.
15. SEVENS can be superficial and tend to keep things
light. Ws 9:9-18. Prayer for wisdom and depth.
16. SEVENS repress or project pain and do not learn its
lessons. Ph 2:6-1 1. See Jesus enter
into pain and death.
17. SEVENS can wear a compulsive smile and not let others
see their real feelings. Ho
2:14-20. A call to go into the
desert. It is the place where the SEVENS
will come to the truth about themselves and God.
18. SEVENS can have a
Pollyanna attitude. Mk 8:31-33. Peter's response to the prediction of the
passion.
19. SEVENS rationalise to maintain themselves in
a heavy world. Mk 14:32-42. See Jesus struggle to face his passion, but
his willingness to do it.
20. SEVENS can be self deceptive. Lk 22:31-34. Peter's
"out-of-touchness" with his own weakness.
21. SEVENS struggle with the sin of gluttony and
take too much of what is good to reduce the pain of life. Mt 6:19-21.
Do not lay up treasures.
22. SEVENS are talkative and can gossip. Jm 3:1-12.
Control of tongue.
23. SEVENS have a demanding quality about
them. They want an immediate
response. Lk 16:1-8. The crafty steward makes demands on others he
himself could not meet.
24. SEVENS would like someone
to care for them and their needs, but they find it hard to listen to others'
problems. Mt 7:12. Golden Rule.
25. SEVENS can be angry, volatile and vindictive
if they are cornered. Jm 4:1-3. Anger that comes from having plans
frustrated.
26. SEVENS do for people to
gain their friendship. Lk 17:7- 1 0. We
have done no more than our duty.
27. SEVENS find it hard to
confront, to be un-nice." Mt 10:34-36.
Jesus is a cause of dissension.
28. SEVENS find it difficult
to stay in a discussion that gets heavy and will move away either physically
or by lightening it. Lk 12:51 -53. Expect difficulties.
29. SEVENS are impatient. Mt 13:24-30.
Parable of the darnel. Don't move
too quickly.
30. SEVENS can be flighty and over-active. Ps 46: 1 0. Be still and know that I am God.
31. SEVENS are careful about the level at which
they give themselves. Mk 12:41-44. Widow's mite.
SEVENS often give only of the superfluous of their lives and don't share
deeply or become vulnerable.
B) Giftedness
to rejoice in and to pray through...
1. SEVENS are appreciative. Lk 1:46-55 Awareness of the graciousness of
God.
2. SEVENS are most joyous of the numbers. Ph 4:4.
Paul expresses his deep appreciation for Christian joy.
3. SEVENS see giftedness in everything and
delight in life and in nature. Ps
104. Beauties of the world.
4. SEVENS are aware of surfaces and
sensations. There is a sense of the
immediate in them. Lk 5:12-16. Cure of the leper involves the sensitive act
of touching.
5. SEVENS are sensitive to others. Mk 2:1-12.
Cure of the paralytic. Jesus is
sensitive to the deeper, unspoken need for forgiveness in the man.
6. SEVENS come to a sense
there is enough of everything and nothing is superfluous. Ps 23. 1 shall not want. You prepare a banquet before me.
7. SEVENS can be content
without demanding more. Ps 131. My heart has no lofty ambitions.
8. SEVENS celebrate life.
9. SEVENS have a sense of the
communion among persons and things. Ps
133. How good it is for all to live in
harmony.
10. SEVENS are visionary about
the future. Rm 8:18-27. Glory
is our destiny.
11. SEVENS are capable of
communicating enthusiasm and inspiring others to follow them. Is 52:7-12.
The joy of bringing the good news.
12. SEVENS are childlike. Mt 11:25-27.
The revelation of the good news to the childlike.
13. SEVENS are optimistic.
14. SEVENS see possibilities. They have an inner vision of how things will
work. Is 42:10-17. Hymn of
triumph.
15. SEVENS are friendly and outgoing. Lk 5:29-32.
Imagine Jesus at this party.
16. SEVENS like to make others happy. Jn 12:1-11.
Mary wants to do for Jesus. The
sensitive gesture.
17. SEVENS have the gift of humour. Lk 19: 1 -I 0. Zacchaeus in the tree.
Just look at the scene and enjoy it with
Jesus.
18. SEVENS are good at entertaining and are
hospitable. Jn 1:35-39. Be with Jesus and the disciples as they spend
the day together.
19. SEVENS have a natural simplicity. Ps 101.
Purity of heart praised.
20. SEVENS are practical and resourceful. Pr 31:10-31. The ideal wife, her virtues. an 21. SEVENS are playful. Zp 3:14-17. Rejoice d dance with God.
22. SEVENS are very hope-filled persons. Ps 27.
God is my light and my salvation.
Reflection
& Meditation for Number SEVEN
awareness
Deep down I'm
intemperate. That's my brokenness. I don't normally admit it, but I'm a glutton
for more. What I want is a superabundance of the good things in life, of the
things that e y to bring me happiness. Nothing is ever enough. I consume things
rather than savor and enjoy them; I take life in big gulps rather than in
little sips. I emphasize the positive and minimize the negative. Basically,
what I'm doing is trying to avoid pain and the emptiness inside.
Even though I
move around a lot, essentially I live in my head. I'm very idealistic,
concentrating on the good and rationalizing or trivializing the difficulties. I
have lots of plans and schemes for doing good, but I gloss over the problems.
I'm future‑orientated, always anticipating life. The fact that I don't
fully experience the pleasure of the present leads to my not being completely
satisfied. I generally make sure I have so much to do that I'll never get
bored. Indeed, my need
for constant stimulation leads me, at times, to addictive behavior.
I look for
distractions to keep me occupied and help me cope with painful realities. I
find it hard to delay gratification. When I want things I want them now. My
senses are so sharp that I can almost taste the enjoyment. The trouble is that
I can also vividly imagine the intensity of pain, and I look for every possible
diversion to avoid it. That's why I'm continually on the go and try not to get
tied down to routine tasks. In effect, I'm running away from myself because I
fear that, if I stop to look inside, I won't like what I see.
Advice
We need to become
more reflective and responsible, yet, paradoxically, our spiritual journey is
from the inside out. Our natural curiosity and our attraction to constant
change and the "quick‑fix" make it very difficult for us to
focus our attention when we come to pray. There are so many delightful
possibilities and options to choose from that, given the opportunity, we
attempt to pursue them all. However, we can slow down our mental games by
"anchoring" ourselves in the real. We can do this, for example, by
adopting a posture which ensures stillness and stops physical movement. Then we
can begin.
Attention
Since the present doesn't completely satisfy us, we
are constantly planning for a more enjoyable future and trying to diffuse our
pain by over‑activity. But it pays off if we learn the art of staying in
one place. One way is to sit comfortably with our hands resting gently on our
knees, palms tip. Instead of closing our eyes and letting the mind have free
rein, it is useful to focus on our empty palms, a symbol of our openness to the
spirit and of our willingness to let go of our consumer mentality and our
materialistic approach to life. Or we could savor the scent of a flower, slowly
caress the surface of a leaf, or sit by a lake and feel ourselves
part of something greater than ourselves.
Scripture Meditation for
Number SEVEN
1) Matthew 7:24‑27
(Build on rock, not on sand)
Staying on the
surface of life is ultimately doomed to failure. Real growth and long‑term
happiness demand a rock‑solid foundation of depth. Concentrating on the
superficial is no way to build for the future.
2) Mark 8:31‑33 (Running away is not the
answer)
It is
characteristic of us that when the going gets tough we tend to get going! Jesus
refuses to throw in the towel when faced with difficulties and disappointments,
and sends a clear message to those of us who do.
3) Matthew 15:21‑28 (Perseverance pays
off)
Our enthusiasm is
generally short‑lived. But when it comes to difficult life‑issues
and the healing of brokenness, it is essential to be persistent, to put up with
the put‑downs and stay with the pain. If we do, the chances are that,
like the woman in the gospel, we will eventually go away happy.
4) Mark 12:31 (Self‑love
is a condition for loving others)
We are naturally
gregarious. But we shouldn't forget that joy can be found in solitude as well.
There is no need for us to fear being on our own. Solitude is not the same as
loneliness and inner silence can enrich our understanding of ourselves.
5) Matthew 14:22‑33 (How to walk on water)
We find it hard
to believe someone will help us when we are in trouble. We have plan B always
ready. But God continually surprises us. Even though we are afraid, God's
caring presence encourages us to risk getting our feet wet.