Sparkle Schoolhouse

Sparkle Weekly Wondering: Dry Gables - Good Neighbors

Today, March 10th, 2018, we launch a third Dry Gables collection: “Good Neighbors.”

If you’re not yet familiar with the Dry Gables stories, here’s a primer:

They’re set in the late 19th century, in the town of Dry Gables, North Dakota. The colorful citizens of this town embody many different personality types, each modeling the various ways people express themselves, experience success, and meet challenges. We’ve used the stories to help families and children understand their own tendencies and proclivities so that compassion and appropriate support might naturally arise.

Here’s a little secret: the Dry Gables stories employ a powerful set of insights combined in a paradigm called the “Enneagram.” The Enneagram is a complex and meaningful model of human personality. It offers us a road map which can be very useful in helping us to identify who we are at our best and what blocks us from being able to access the natural gifts that bring us to a place of happiness and greater ease.

As you know, each of our stories is designed to offer a seed of learning or healing in addition to being deeply entertaining. In the Dry Gables stories, we used the Enneagram Types as a blueprint. Our aim is to help our younger Sparklers connect with characters who exhibit many of their own personality traits — and who can offer parents insights into what their children’s behaviors may be revealing about what they need.

Each of our Dry Gables collections focuses on a different aspect of personal growth:

• The first Dry Gables season helps us to understand different personalities.
• Dry Gables: Hands Together helps us to see the ways different people respond in times of struggle and growth.
• Dry Gables: Good Neighbors helps us to explore the ways different personalities work in times of harmony and times of conflict.

Through the Enneagram, we in Sparkle Land learn a lot about ourselves and the other members of the team. David’s tendency to overthink, Lisabeth’s gift (and curse) of noticing every single detail, Mike’s ability to de-stress any situation, and Cortney’s natural sense of organization all can be found in the stories of Dry Gables. We are inspired by the empathetic support the characters give each other — warts and all!

With these stories, we hope you will find new ways of engaging with your children, your spouse, your friends, and your co-workers!