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(Another example for ya.)
I come by narcissism in a different kind of way. OCD is a form of narcissism, or possibly where narcissism goes to next. My dad has OCD, always had but I didn't realize it until about ten years ago. OCD is basically realizing you need to be perfect because the world around you needs to be perfect, because no one else but you is perfect. You have to be the perfect for the whole world.
Imagine growing up in that thought pattern, and I'm not the perfect one. Dad is.
Dad has six kids. (Granted the youngest is 31, so "kids" is the relative term, not the literal term. lol) Each one bucked against being like Dad, and yet being raised by a narcissist how could we not pick up some of Dad?
It has come out in six different ways, all pointing back to "at least I'm not Dad."
I find that frightening, hilarious, and annoying all at once. If I'm comparing myself to anyone, isn't that narcissism at the heart of the matter? I feel like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde most of the time. By nature, I'm narcissistic to the core. (I think all people are, but I feel like I've mastered it.) By God's nature, I'm empathetic and think of others. But, always, always, always, the two sides fight like rams in rutting season.
There is no easy out from narcissism. There is still only one answer -- the Lord.
It's a constant battle. And something I'm just beginning to figure out after a mere 40+ years -- if I focus on God, Dr. Jekyll comes out more often. If I focus on me focusing on God, Mr. Hyde has a good laugh.
If you get what I mean, I suspect when you can say "40+ years" too, you'll be much further along the godly path than I've come.
I come by narcissism in a different kind of way. OCD is a form of narcissism, or possibly where narcissism goes to next. My dad has OCD, always had but I didn't realize it until about ten years ago. OCD is basically realizing you need to be perfect because the world around you needs to be perfect, because no one else but you is perfect. You have to be the perfect for the whole world.
Imagine growing up in that thought pattern, and I'm not the perfect one. Dad is.
Dad has six kids. (Granted the youngest is 31, so "kids" is the relative term, not the literal term. lol) Each one bucked against being like Dad, and yet being raised by a narcissist how could we not pick up some of Dad?
It has come out in six different ways, all pointing back to "at least I'm not Dad."
I find that frightening, hilarious, and annoying all at once. If I'm comparing myself to anyone, isn't that narcissism at the heart of the matter? I feel like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde most of the time. By nature, I'm narcissistic to the core. (I think all people are, but I feel like I've mastered it.) By God's nature, I'm empathetic and think of others. But, always, always, always, the two sides fight like rams in rutting season.
There is no easy out from narcissism. There is still only one answer -- the Lord.
It's a constant battle. And something I'm just beginning to figure out after a mere 40+ years -- if I focus on God, Dr. Jekyll comes out more often. If I focus on me focusing on God, Mr. Hyde has a good laugh.
If you get what I mean, I suspect when you can say "40+ years" too, you'll be much further along the godly path than I've come.