Type Twos are known as the Helper or the Befriender.
I like the word “Befriender” because I have so many type 2s who pursue me like crazy even when I don’t deserve it. They take great care of me. They remember my birthday and my prayer requests. They actually pray for me and keep pursuing me even when I cannot pursue them. They work hard to keep these relationships alive. Thank you to all of you 2’s out there.
Listen:
In this episode of Your Enneagram Coach podcast: The Basics Type Two, Jeff and Beth McCord discuss all the basics of type two. They are very thorough and I think you will learn a lot from them.
Can you ever have too many Helpers together in one place? Absolutely not! This is a fun panel discussion on the Typology podcast where Ian Morgan Cron interviews three very different people and their experiences as a type 2.
Watch:
Here Richard Rohr teaches on the type 2s. It is fascinating to hear from the master himself in this YouTube video. He addresses boundaries, co-dependency, and also why our culture expects women to have some type 2 tendencies.
Chick Flick time! If you are a type 2, you must watch 27 Dresses with Katherine Heigle and James Marsden. Katherine plays the role of ultimate Helper and Befriender in this adorable movie. Spoiler alert – in the end, she figures it out. You can buy it on Amazon Prime for $3.99. Worth it!
Read:
In this Intervarsity Press article entitled: Reflections from an Enneagram 2: Learning to Receive from Others, Brenda Jo Wong touches on how type 2s relate to God as the Helper. I think you will enjoy her insights here and be encouraged.
Uh oh! It is getting real right now when we start talking about healthy boundaries. If you struggle with boundaries (and I think you might), please read this book Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life. Dr. Henry Cloud is the “boundaries guru”. His writing is on pointe and gentle all at the same time. Do yourself a favor and order it today.
Grow:
Learn that self-care is not selfish. Self-care is giving the best of you, instead of what is left of you. Just like on an airplane, you must put the oxygen mask on yourself first before you help others with their masks. Make a list every morning of what you need that day and do at least one thing on it for yourself.