The things in your life you are willing to take the fight for, to go into the tiger’s cage for, are your True North. Your True North can be your child or a family member, your work, or an ideology or a belief.

There is a proverb that says Until the story of the hunt is told by the lion, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.

When you practice not going DEEP you do not: Defend Engage Explain Personalize

Narcissistic folks are more likely to feel inconvenienced by your health issues—they do not like infirmity or other reminders of human frailty or mortality, and they are too selfish and impatient to engage in compassionate and sustained caregiving.

Narcissism is not about high self-esteem or low self-esteem as much as it is about inaccurate, inflated, and variable self-appraisal.

What separates a narcissistic person from someone who is self-centered or vain or entitled is the consistency and sheer number of these traits in one person.

Waiting for a narcissistic person to finally get it and honor your boundary is like waiting for a submarine to show up at a bus stop.

For example, your narcissistic mother tells you that your sister said you are greedy. This makes you mad at your sister, and you may not invite her to a party. Your sister never said this and is hurt and confused about being left out. Triangulation fosters confusion and cultivates mistrust in families, friend groups, and workplaces.

There is no schedule to healing. It takes as long as it takes, and it varies depending on the nature of the relationship, whether you stay or go, and your own life history.