Meetings with Remarkable People - Part 4
March 14, 2025
Meetings with Remarkable People Part 4
The word remarkable is from the Old French word “remarquable,” which means noteworthy. We have all had noteworthy people in our lives who made lasting impressions and who helped shape us. They are so vital to us that their influence remains, whether they are in our lives now, or not.
Did you know that you are someone’s remarkable person? Yes, there are people for whom you are an inspiration, guide, or role model. You are helping to shape their world, or possibly you are a significant support for them. Maybe your actions teach them how to do or be something they couldn’t do if not for you. Perhaps you represent an ideal for them — maybe you are a shining star that lights their way.
The Enneagram helps us understand that we are not a self-perpetuating system with everything we need. Instead, because of the inner flow of life depicted on the Enneagram, we pick up the qualities we do not have at each Enneagram point. This is a journey into wholeness. This is why people have affinities for each other. When we meet someone with a soul quality we admire and possibly need, we are drawn to that person, and sometimes are not in touch with why we are drawn to them.
This means that specific qualities you possess draw people to you who want to learn those qualities. You embody an ideal. They may even think you are remarkable because of all the people they know; no one can teach them what they need to know better than you.
Think of the people at home, work, church, temple, school, recreation, and social activities. Who among them may be learning from you? Who asks for time with you or engages you in conversation? Who questions you? Who seems to soak up your wisdom at every turn? Who soaks it up but doesn’t let you know? Who seems not to notice but is always noticing? Who witnesses your decisions and the criteria and ethics behind them?
We are continually teaching each other. In the Enneagram language, we teach what our mind, heart, and body know. We teach without lecturing… we teach by how we lead our lives. That’s remarkable. You’re remarkable.
Spiritual practice: Who were your remarkable people? Did the remarkable people who taught you know they were teaching you? How have you expressed thanks to them? If they are no longer around, how might you express your gratefulness?
Self-inquiry: Why would it be preferable to say to yourself that you are unremarkable?
Dear God,
Help me to embrace the remarkable aspects of myself. Please open my eyes to see those who may be learning from me. Please open my eyes to those who are my teachers, even when they are in disguise. Amen
