She hadn’t written him a letter explaining. She hadn’t told him she was leaving. She didn’t realize – until she saw her hands putting her journal, a laptop, and some clothes in a box – that she was leaving. Continue reading →
Control
17
Jul 11
A Day in the Life of a Narcissist
He said he’d be here at 9:oo a.m.
Then he changed his mind.
He didn’t want to do what the kids wanted to do so he said, “I’m not coming at nine. I don’t want to go where they want to go.” Continue reading →
25
May 11
The Making of a Passive-Aggressive
“Dad’s here!” Instead of heading to the door to greet him, she ran to her bedroom to change her shirt. As he walked into the living room, she came walking in from the hallway wearing a hand-me-down t-shirt. She smiled up at Mark, and said, “Hi, Daddy!” Continue reading →
28
Apr 11
Write It Down
Last week I got a word salad in my inbox. Whether in oral form or written form, I’ve taken to mentally and physically preparing myself before making my way through these salads. If he’s delivering the word salad to me in person, I usually prop myself up against a door frame. Continue reading →
9
Mar 11
The Fire Tender
The leather gloves next to the stove, and the fire within, are the only indications of steady use. The wood stove is free of ashes, spent embers, bits of bark and any other signs of use, yet the fire within roars continuously. The glass door is spotless as if perhaps he’d had to replace it yesterday after he’d slammed the door too hard in a fit of anger and frustration. Continue reading →
4
Feb 11
Narcissism Knows No Bounds
Jenny selected the shiny brown bowl circled by a ring of cobalt blue. She hoped I would love it, and I did. She was excited to give the bowl to me as a gift. The ceramic bowl is the perfect size for almonds or pretzels. Continue reading →
28
Jan 11
In Other News
Monday, I received an email from Mark. In the email he told me that Jen and Will are truly amazing children, and he thanked me for doing such a great job raising them. Continue reading →
9
Jan 11
Sourcing the Narcissist
Narcissists have no enemies. They have only Sources of Narcissistic Supply. An enemy means attention means supply. One holds sway over one’s enemy. If the narcissist has the power to provoke emotions in you, then you are still a Source of Supply to him, regardless of which emotions are provoked.
S. Vaknin
29
Dec 10
The Strength of Criticism
The strength of criticism lies only in
the weakness of the thing criticized. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
the weakness of the thing criticized. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
This brings to mind another favorite quote on Power.
*Both quotes remind me to check the mirror and make sure that I’m standing straight and tall.
