What EAnimals Are Doing After Christmas Holidays

1. Thinking about how to streamline Christmas next year ( & avoid crass materialism?) Solomon

2. Collapsed in her big chair-- exhausted from non stop shopping, cooking, and being there for family. Kozy

3. Making her New Years resolutions. Champ

4. Staring at the sparkling Christmas tree not wanting the Magic of Christmas to be over. Picasso

5. Checking laptop for snowfall amounts in different parts of the country. Einstein

6. Cleaning out and organizing closets. Trooper

7. Christmas is over? Making New Years plans. Zee

8. Worked over Christmas. Checking stats for 2010 sales as compared to 2009. Chief

9. Watching the game while playing with the kids' toys (with the kids of course!) Buddy

9 Types of Inner Genius-Which Resonates with You?

Did you know that each of us is born with our own Inner Genius? Which are Yours?

1. Understanding the nature of True Honor.--Solomon

2. Understanding the Power of Love.--Kozy

3. Knowing How to Unleash Human Potential.--Champ

4. Soulful Knowing of the Exquisite Connection between Humanity and the Divine.--Picasso

5. Thirst for Exploring the Wonders of the Universe.--Einstein

6. Innate intuition about the Amazing Power of Human Connection.--Trooper

7. Experiencing Wonder and Joy in Being Alive.--Zee

8. Connected with the Power of Doing Amazing Good.--Chief

9. Connected with the Power of Peace in Creation.--Buddy

How EAnimals Shop for Christmas Holidays

1. Solomon, annoyed with the crass materialism, shopped at the last minute. Even so he ended up with very touching gifts for everyone.

2. Kozy asked loved ones several times what they really wanted for Christmas and finally bit the bullet and bought gifts.

3. Champ ordered her latest best selling mugs and picture frames for everyone on her list.

4. Picasso went to an art boutique and selected meaningful handcrafted gifts for her special loved ones.

5. Einstein shopped on Cyber Monday and bought the latest "smart phone" accessories for those on her list.

6. Trooper had already ordered gifts in August to take advantage of the 2 for 1 sale.

7. Zee went shopping with his pal Solomon on the day before Christmas Eve and spent way too much $$--but Christmas is only once a year!

8. Chief asked his staff at the office to pick out gifts for his family and put them on his credit card.

9. Buddy browsed the internet while watching the big game.

eAnimals: What EAnimals Are Doing in the Snow

eAnimals: What EAnimals Are Doing in the Snow: "1. Solomon is checking the pressure in his tires and reminding others to do the same.2. Kozy is stocking up at the store.3. Champ is shoveli..."

What EAnimals Are Doing in the Snow

1. Solomon is checking the pressure in his tires and reminding others to do the same.

2. Kozy is stocking up at the store.

3. Champ is shoveling the driveway.

4. Picasso is making a snow angel.

5. Einstein is measuring the snow depth on the picnic table & comparing with on-line friends.

6. Trooper is spreading salt on the front porch.

7. Zee is sledding, of course.

8. Chief is deciding whether to shut down a shift at work.

9. Buddy is sitting in front of the fire strumming his bass, with Ludwig on ukelele.

What EAnimals are doing today on Thanksgiving

Chief (8) is cooking the turkey.
Kozy (2) is making the sides.
Einstein (5) is reading recipes to Kozy from a favorite internet source.
Solomon (1) is reminding Chief about making sure to put the meat thermometer in the turkey.
Picasso (4) is reading an inspirational Thanksgiving poem.
Trooper (6) is making sure that all the fire alarm batteries have been changed.
Zee (7)is frying another turkey in the outside fryer.
Buddy (9) is playing with the children.
Champ (3) is planning the bike ride they will take later that day to work off the turkey.

5 Reasons to take EAnimals Quiz

1. Understand your parents so you can forgive their annoying habits.
2. Understand your children so you can pick your battles wisely.
3. Understand yourself so you can put your best foot forward.
4. Understand your friends to bring out the best in them.
5. Understand your boss to play to his strengths.

Thought I would get a little personal today!

Just thought I would get a little personal today. I want to write about how I have worked on the downside traits of my Kozy personality style(Enneagram 2).

Actually I was pretty unaware of these traits until I discovered the Enneagram in the late 80's. But as I read more about the 2 (my EAnimal Kozy), I was pretty dismayed about the tendencies of the 2 style of "giving to get" and to using high EQ to "get on the inside track" with people. I didn't want to see these things about the 2 type in myself and wanted to concentrate instead on the positive characteristics. There's the characteristic Kozy pride!

As I continued to learn more about my preferred style and made a spiritual habit of going over Riso and Hudsons Transformation statements for the 2 type, I began to notice when I was acting out of my 2 trance. As I became more aware of these patterns, I was able to make some different choices: to hold back some with others, wait to be asked for help, give only what is asked for, and not to "go the extra mile!"

I like myself better now and find that I conserve my inner resources so that I am available to myself to be creative as well as to family and friends when they really seek my involvement.

Wake up from your eAnimal's Trance!!!

How do we become untrapped by our EAnimal style?

It's really not that difficult! Simply begin to identify your style and become aware of when you are acting out of that familiar childhood style. As you do this, you will begin to change. Start by taking the test at www.whatsyouranimal.com, as well as reviewing some of the other sources on the More Info page to more fully identify your style.

AWARENESS is the key. When we are aware of our ego controlled behavior, a whole new world of choices of how to think, feel and act will open up and you will find more and more freedom in your life.

Your Ego Trance

Most of us have experienced ourselves "going through the motions" of activities that seem very familiar to us. Or we've had that feeling of being controlled by an unseen hand almost against our will. This feeling is the awareness of the compulsive sets of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors which make up the nine ego styles hidden in our unconscious minds. We adopt these styles as children to protect ourselves from pain and to make sense of the world around us.

These unconscious ego styles are represented here by the EAnimals. But you might say, they look kind of cute and harmless. How can an ego style get in my way?

Right, sometimes you may experience your ego style pleasantly, but at other times less than comfortably when the occasion may call for another more helpful set of behaviors. If you've ever gotten "ticked off" and reacted quickly in a way that seemed to come from out of the blue, this would your hidden ego style acting out old behaviors. You or someone else may have said "Where did that come from?" Well, it came from your unconscious mind!

These rigid personality styles becomes less and less useful to us as we make our way through life, leave home, forming new homes, working different jobs and responding to life's many challenges. Although you will retain some of the flavor of your personality style, you will find that not all aspects of that style will open you up to all that life has to offer.

So what's the answer? How do we become untrapped by our EAnimal style?

It's really not that difficult! Simply begin to identify your style and become aware of when you are acting out of that familiar childhood style. As you do this, you will begin to change. Start by taking the test at www.whatsyouranimal.com, as well as reviewing some of the other sources on the More Info page to more fully identify your style.

AWARENESS is the key. When we are aware of our ego controlled behavior, a whole new world of choices of how to think, feel and act will open up and you will find more and more freedom in your life.

Have fun and start living life more fully!

Are you trapped by your Ego type?

None of us like the feeling or the thought of being trapped. But the largest trap of all is inside us. These 9 little animals are actually symbols of the 9 Ego-Types. One of these 9 Ego-Types has you in a cage that keeps you from experiencing the fullness of your life by keeping you unconscious of the free person within.

Each ego-type has its style of approaching the world which worked quite well for us when we were children, but can hold us back from living life to the fullest as adults.

Becoming aware of your Ego Type (represented by one of these EAnimals) is the first and most important step towards letting yourself out of it's cage. More about this in the blog posts after you take the test at www.whatsyouranimal.com

9 Personality Styles. Which do you prefer? Your spouse? Your child?

1. Principled, Rational, Moral Leader

2. Caring Compassionate Helper

3. Motivating, Energetic, Achiever

4. Discriminating, Intuitive, Romantic

5. Investigating, Innovating, Thinker

6. Hardworking, Loyal, Team Player

7. Fun Loving, Optimistic, Explorer

8. Confident, Challenging, CEO

9. Peaceloving, Reassuring, Companion

We all have 9 inner styles. Which is your preferred?

We are very complicated! Each of us have 9 different styles of relating, motivating ourselves and seeing the world. It has been very helpful for me to learn about my 9 different styles and which is the most prominent ( in my case the Kozy style--focusing on loving & helping).

It's also good to know that we can call on the different parts of ourselves when we need to. If we need to work on buckling down and achieving, we will be using the Champ part. If we are interested in transforming ourselves spiritually we will employ the Picasso part, etc.

It's helpful to teach our children about the 9 different parts or styles so that they will understand that they have many choices open to them in dealing with life. For instance, as a parent, one might say to our Trooper child who is trying to connect with others in order to keep his world predictable, that he or she has the option of experimenting with the Buddy part--to try hanging back, doing something he or she enjoys and letting others come to him.

What is your motivational style?

1. Solomon Owl is motivated by Goodness.

2. Kozy Kangaroo is motivated by Love.

3. Champ Race Horse is motivated by Achievement.

4. Picasso Peacock is motivated by Transformation.

5. Einstein Cat is motivated by Knowledge.

6. Trooper Camel is motivated by Connection.

7. Zee Chimpanzee is motivated by Experience.

8. Chief Lion is motivated by Dominance.

9. Buddy Dog is motivated by Peace.

Your child's personality type: How it helps to know it!

Your little Picasso is concerned that she has no significant identity and works hard in life to waylay these fears attempting to transform herself into a unique individual both inside and out.

Your little Einstein is concerned that she doesn't have what it takes to deal with life and she works hard to gain expertise in one or two areas of life in order to waylay her fears.

Your little Trooper worries about not having the support he needs to make it in life and tries to waylay these fears looks for groups or systems to which he can attach himself and become a loyal, competent member.

Your little Zee is most concerned about missing out on life or life being painful or humdrum life. He tries to waylay these fears by going after things, people, experiences that he believes will bring him happiness.

Your little Chief has fears that someone will control him in such a way as to bring harm to him. He guards against this by staying in charge of his life and resisting those who try to control him.

Your little Buddy is afraid of separation and loss. He tries to waylay these fears by keeping peace and serenity in his circle of family and environment.

What if you could know your child's fears?

Did you know that each one of the Eanimal personality types has a different basic fear? If you knew what your child's basic fear was, how would it change the way you parent him or her?

For instance a little Solomon is most afraid of being bad or having something terrible wrong with him and works hard to banish this thought by trying to be very good, moral and balanced.

Your little Kozy is more concerned about love and being lovable. She fears that she is not lovable and works hard to banish this fear by being helpful and close to the others in her life.

Your little Champ wants to succeed at any cost so that she can banish the feeling of worthlessness--without value to others. She seeks to attain the admiration of others through being accomplished and successful in order to feel worthwhile.

To be continued. . .tomorrow with your little Picasso.

eAnimals: Are you parenting a little Champ? Look out Oprah'...

eAnimals: Are you parenting a little Champ? Look out Oprah'...: "How will you know if you have a little Champ living in your home with you? What does she need? How can you bring out the best in her? Did you know that she fears being worthless except for her accomplishments? She needs to know that she has worth apart from all the wonderful things she can achieve-that she is of great value and loveable quite apart from being the best at things!

Are you parenting a little Champ? Look out Oprah's a Champ!

How will you know if you have a little Champ living in your home with you? What does she need? How can you bring out the best in her?

A little Champ will be striving to be the best and most of the time succeeding. She will work hard and expect to win. She may get stressed about getting an A on every test and presentation. She will be interested in others doing well also even though she is competing with them--a very win-win sort of child.

So how can you help? Although competing and winning is important, your little Champ needs to learn to slow down and appreciate the moment and have permission to do some activities just for the fun of it. If you are a Buddy parent you may find this easy to do. If your personality is also Champ you may need to catch yourself encouraging your child to be an achievement machine. Explore your personality and find out how to bring out the best in your child-whatever her or his personality type!

How knowing personality can help you be a better parent

EAnimals is a fun interactive site! Personality types come to life! Learning about personality can be down to earth and easy to grasp. You can enjoy the site with your child and you can learn together.

My 3 year old grandson was transfixed when we were all at the beach together a couple of weeks ago and kept ordering me to"Do Kozy again! Do #1 again! Do Trooper!" We sat there for over an hour. In that hour he learned all the types with numbers 1-9 and would put his little head up really close to the screen to see the animations, especially what Ludwig the mouse was doing- because he's so tiny.

EAnimals is about you and your child — why and how you and they think, make decisions and interact with others. It’s about discovering your personality type as well as your child's and accessing tools and resources to help you understand yourself and how to bring out the best in your child.

Parenting is the hardest job in the world! At least it was and still is for me. Anything to make it easier and more enjoyable is good for both you and your child. And you can share the site with your friends and family and gain more understanding of each other and how we are all different. The more we all know about ourselves and our loved ones the easier it is to enjoy each other, avoid pitfalls, and just have fun!!

How understanding personality helps parents

One size doesn't fit all when it comes to kids. FIrst step is to understand the 9 different personality types ( ego types) and figure out which one your child is. All 3 of mine are very different and have different needs according to the way their brains are wired. Fairness, in my opinion, means treating each child according to his or her particular needs, and it really helps if the parents know what these are. Check into the Enneagram to learn about the 9 different types. Your child's personality forms between the ages of 2-5. Your guidance is crucial during this time. But each type needs a different kind of guidance. I wish I'd known this when my kids were little. I learned it when they were teens which helps, but still. . . .

Are you a Zee?

Zee Tendencies:

Zee usually has a youthful appearance no matter what age, a quick mind, and is able to engage in many types of activities at once—often amazingly so. Because he is more ebulliently optimistic than any of the
other types, he often idealizes people and activities to keep his fertile mind interested. This inclination enhances his creative abilities: He can literally see, in his mind’s eye, a project or intended consequence well ahead of it materializing.

5 Things I wish I knew Before I Had Kids

1. Kids are born with strong innate personality tendencies.

2. There are 9 basic motivations.

3. Each of the 9 types has a different basic fear.

4. Each of the 9 types has a different core desire.

5. Nine ego-types = EAnimals

Match Names with Motivations

Match the names with. . . their core Motivations

Solomon Achievement

Kozy Dominance

Champ Experience

Picasso Connection

Einstein Love

Trooper Peace

Zee Goodness

Chief Knowledge

Buddy Transformation

5 Reasons to get to know EAnimals

1. EAnimals can fall in love.

2. EAnimals can create beautiful works of art.

3. EAnimals are beautiful.

4. EAnimals will teach you things while you are having fun.

5. EAnimals are you!!

Why eAnimals?

5 Reasons to Meet eAnimals

1. Makes learning personality fun!

2. Easily understand friends and family.

3. Have fun sharing your eAnimal character with others.

4. Learn about ego-types.

5. Learn about what motivates your boss!

The One ~ Solomon

“Nobody’s perfect!”

Your EAnimal has a big month ahead!

Remember that you, Solomon, are a principled, rational, moral leader motivated to get life right—to find the most noble way to live your life and relate to others. Summer’s officially over and you are getting back into your routine of school or work. There’s much to do, new places to go and people to meet. You are the reformer of the Enneagram, the leader of great and small crusades to change society for the better. Not only are you willing to make great personal sacrifices for the cause, you are able to focus on what is right and true in ways that can be extremely inspiring to others.

You, Solomon, are well equipped to face the year ahead because of your excellent organizational skills and work ethic. However, there’s always stress—new classes, or the same old job with new demands and no vacation in sight! To combat this October stress, adopt the motto, just for this month, “the perfect is the enemy of the good.” You are only human and cannot achieve perfection. Continuing to even believe there is perfection at the office, at college or with friends and loved ones could leave you feeling sad—and who wants to be sad?

Good is good enough, by Solomon! I can almost see you opening your mouth to argue with this. Go right ahead, but just remember, when you get stressed this month, take a deep breath and say to yourself, “the perfect is the enemy of the good.”

What this Means for you:

Love (Relationships): Most likely you have some non-Solomon types in your circle of friends and family. They will appreciate you very much when you compliment them on a job well done even when it’s not quite the way you would have done it.

Work or School: Some of your emails didn’t get answered at work or your paper for your class doesn’t have as many sources as you wanted. Just remember, a year from now, will it matter? You are a hard worker who is both honest and forthright and you should give yourself a pat on the back for that.

Play: Setting aside time to play can be challenging for you because of needing to get everything else done before allowing yourself playtime. Give yourself permission to play often. Remember, work is never finished for long, and you’ll be a better worker if you’re rested and relaxed!

Health: Exercise is very important for keeping stress levels under control. Remember to do what you love! If you dislike running, ride your bike. If you hate riding the bike, do yoga, or pilates, or dancing, or long walks with friends. If you enjoy yourself, you’ll have an easier time sticking with it.

Wealth: Again practicality is the key.
This shouldn’t be much of a problem for you, as you tend to be quite good with money and are usually diligent to save for the future. Remember, others around you can learn from your example of good management of resources.

Solomon Tendencies:

You will usually be most comfortable in careers which are focused on delivering a high degree of competence, honesty and reliability, and practicality. You will be most

drawn to others who appreciate you for your commitment to fairness and desire to make

the world a better place, even if it calls you to sacrifice your time and resources.

Solomon Wild Things:

Solomon’s drive to improve not only himself but others can paradoxically be perceived to others as critical and negative and may

cause others to attempt to avoid him and his
opinions. But the truth is that Solomon is harder on himself than anyone else. His active inner critic causes him a great deal of stress when it comes to relaxing or dealing with others and trying to live up to his impossibly high standards.

What Kind of EAnimals
are you running with?

Have your friends take the EAnimal test so you know which kinds of EAnimals you run with.

You multiply your fun by getting
those close to you involved.
Share on Facebook and Twitter!

whatsyouranimal.com