Quote of the Day

With an inner wound that disables the narcissist, compassion and a deep longing compels the child to repeatedly strive for acceptance and love from the NPD (narcissistic personality disorder) parent.

-- Eleanor D. Payson, The Wizard of Oz and Other Narcissists, p. 57

Quote of the Day

In my private practice, I am quite familiar with the tendency for self-reflective individuals to see themselves in a multitude of psychological descriptions and quickly become alarmed.  The simple fact that you may be concerned about having some of these problems is a genuine indicator that you have an overall healthy sense of self.

-- Eleanor D. Payson, The Wizard of Oz and Other Narcissists, p. 17-18

Quote of the Day

We all have some of what may be termed narcissistic needs such as the need to be valued, admired, understood, or simply recognized as a unique person.  During painful periods, we become much more narcissistic, or self-centered, and our demands for attention, mirroring, validation, etc., increase.  However, when we feel better, we generally return to a baseline ability to reciprocate in our relationships.  Instead of only taking, we give-and-take by listening, understanding, validating, and supporting others.

-- Eleanor D. Payson, The Wizard of Oz and Other Narcissists, p. 10-11

Quote of the Day

While the NPD (narcissistic personality disorder) individual invariably attracts those who are vulnerable to these types of behavior patterns, the truth is that almost anyone will be pulled into care taking behaviors when interacting with the NPD person.

-- Eleanor D. Payson, The Wizard of Oz and Other Narcissists, p. 9

Quote of the Day

The severity and intensity of this disorder comes from the NPD (narcissistic personality disorder) individual's desperate pursuit to gain a sense of self.  He consciously understands none of this, yet his inner need to feel worthwhile causes him to manipulate people in order to maintain an endless supply of attention, control, status, money, power, or recognition.  This single-minded purpose covers the almost malignant anxiety and emptiness he feels.

-- Eleanor D. Payson, The Wizard of Oz and Other Narcissists, p. 7

Quote of the Day

The seduction into the narcissist's world is profound.  Even when you recognize the dynamics, you must work to resist the narcissist's manipulations.  In fact, therapists with expertise in this arena know that it is unwise to treat more than two or three NPD (narcissistic personality disorder) individuals at any one time because of the enormous amount of energy and attention they require.

-- Eleanor D. Payson, The Wizard of Oz and Other Narcissists, p. 7

Quote of the Day

The more days, months, or years you have invested in a relationship with an NPD (narcissistic personality disorder) person, the more difficulty you will have recognizing that you are on a one-way street, with all the attention, support, and recognition going the other way -- his way!

-- Eleanor D. Payson, The Wizard of Oz and Other Narcissists, p. 6

Quote of the Day

Seduced by the narcissist's camouflage of outer charm or confidence, you are eventually drawn into the nightmare side of this relationship.  By the time you realize that something is wrong, the cumulative effects can range from bruised self-esteem to severe depression.

-- Eleanor D. Payson, The Wizard of Oz and Other Narcissists, p. 5

Quote of the Day

For the narcissist, his excessive self-absorption is a protection against unconscious but powerful feelings of inadequacy.

-- Eleanor D. Payson, The Wizard of Oz and Other Narcissists, p. 5

Quote of the Day

The inevitable impact on the individual in a relationship with a narcissistic personality disorder person is a dangerous erosion of self-esteem.

-- Eleanor D. Payson, The Wizard of Oz and Other Narcissists, p. 1

Quote of the Day

The relentless need for the narcissistic individual to command the majority of another person's resources will eventually deplete the energies of the healthiest individual.

-- Eleanor D. Payson, The Wizard of Oz and Other Narcissists, p. 1

Quote of the Day

U.S. Soccer's monetary figures are equally unsettling.  In 2017, the women's team is expected to generate $17 million in revenue compared to $9 million by the men, and yet the men's salaries still dwarf the women's across the board.  For wins, the women's team earns thirty-seven cents to every dollar earned by men.  Players in the National Women's Soccer League earn between $6,842 and $37,800, while members of Major League Soccer earn an average salary exceeding $200,000.

-- Abby Wambach, Forward, p. 168-169

Quote of the Day

I understand that people enjoyed what felt like eavesdropping on a very raw and candid moment, but if someone had told me as I stood backstage waiting for Ed Helms to wrap up that what I was about to spill out all over that dark room on August 3 would have me nominated for a Grammy, I would have rescheduled so I had time to prepare what I considered possible Grammy Award-winning material.

-- Tig Notaro, I'm Just a Person, p. 148

Quote of the Day

The simple right to reproductive freedom -- to sexuality as an expression that is separable from reproduction -- is basic to restoring women's power, the balance between women and men, and a balance between humans and nature.

-- Gloria Steinem, My Life on the Road, p. 204

Quote of the Day

I read a quote once that really resonated with me, and I made little changes to it so that it could apply more directly to my life: "The best gift you can give anyone is a well-lived life of your own."  Had my parents done this, I think that the weight of my worry and concern for their happiness and well-being would have been lifted.

-- Tig Notaro, I'm Just a Person, p. 238

Quote of the Day

Only in the last five hundred to five thousand years -- depending on where we live in the world -- has godliness been withdrawn from nature, withdrawn from females, and withdrawn from particular races of men, all in order to allow the conquering of nature, females, and certain races of men.  Though patriarchal cultures and religions have made hierarchy seems inevitable, humans for 95 percent of history have been more likely to see the circle as our natural paradigm.  Indeed, millions still do, from traditional Native Americans here to original cultures around the world.

-- Gloria Steinem, My Life on the Road, p. 204

Quote of the Day

Through all this, I learned that I'm a really bad match for certain people, and that, although we might forever be tied to each other in the eyes of the public, it was totally okay to dissociate myself from them in my personal life.  I wanted to put my time and energy toward mutually fulfilling, nurturing, and growing relationships.  Health and peace of mind override everything.

-- Tig Notaro, I'm Just a Person, p. 237

Quote of the Day

There is nothing more pathetic than caution
when headlong might save a life,
even, possibly, your own.

-- Mary Oliver, "Moments"

Quote of the Day

When I visit clinics, I've learned to ask the staff if they have ever seen a picketer come in, have an abortion, and go back to picketing again.  From Atlanta to Wichita, the answer is yes.  Yet because staff members see the woman's suffering and guard her right to privacy, they don't blow the whistle.

-- Gloria Steinem, My Life on the Road, p. 190