I’m so excited to have Matt Thompson on this episode. Matt works behind the scenes to bring these podcasts to life! He’s also created all the beautiful graphics and web design for both ‘Love Thy Number’ and ‘Presence’ and so much more, but most of all… he’s a great friend!  Matt is married to the love of his life (his exact words!), Brenda, and together they have 2 amazing kiddos, Madison (14) and Mason who’s 11. He works in operations and does creative work for a couple of nonprofit, progressive spiritual organizations — Vinings Lake and Presence International. Matt was introduced to the Enneagram through a video learning course at work. “I was convinced at first that I was an Enneagram 1 because I’ve identified for many years as a perfectionist to a fault. But the more I dug in the more obvious it was to me that perfectionism manifests itself in my thoughts and behaviors but it’s not what’s at my core. At my core is this very strong magnetism for peace.” Matt’s wife, Brenda, is an Enneagram 1. He says this in their relationship they both can have a drive for excellence and often see things the very same way. Looking back he says he can see how their types not only brought them together but also help keep them balanced and in check. “I tend to help calm her and soften her edginess. And she challenges my status quo and passivity. I am there for her in quiet, reassuring ways when she’s spent herself — she's tired and just needs a calming presence. And her inner strength and confidence motivates me and reminds me of my significance and that I’m capable of more than I give myself credit for.”  Matt has spent the past 14 years working in a church. In that time the leadership, beliefs, and direction of the church he works for has evolved and changed significantly. “It’s extremely uncommon for someone to remain a part of a spiritual organization as it goes through shifts and changes in leadership and direction. Yet somehow I’m still there.  Knowing what I know now about my personality through the enneagram, it makes total sense to me now why I was able to weather those changes. The peacemaker in me was subconsciously working as a transition agent. Rather than make a clean break because I was intolerant of a new thing, I fought to maintain stability and keep the thing alive. That’s a healthy way to look at it. On the unhealthy side, as a 9 I also have to acknowledge that I can also fight just as hard simply to maintain status quo — to ensure safety, protect my job, and prevent change which can sometimes be scary for a 9 because it threatens our foundation.” Keeping the peace is more than a slogan… it’s a gift of a healthy Enneagram 9.  Follow Matt on Instagram:  @matt__thompson