Narcissistic...as a good thing.

Being narcissistic doesn't necessarily have to be a disorder. I like certain of the traits. They can be used in positive ways. I do believe I am better than some people at certain things. Just depends. I can stand on my hands, for instance. And some people can't. That makes me better at hand-standing. Fantasizing also helps me be a creative writer. I can create characters that dream of power, success and attractiveness. And I think exaggerating one's talents can be humorous. Downright funny. That would make me a better stand-up comedian. I like praise and admiration, as do most people. But I can live without it, too. And I certainly believe I'm special. Shouldn't everyone? Oh, I recognize other people's emotions and feelings. Especially when they're racists. Turns me off a little bit. I expect some people to go along with my ideas and plans. And some of 'em do. Because they are friends, and I'm persuasive. I do take advantage of other people. But not in a negative sense. Rather in a positive way. I try to learn from them. For instance, I have mentors and teachers. And I use them well. And yes, I do express some at least mild disdain for bad hombres. Such as racists. I'm not aware of being jealous of others. But I do wish at times that I had the talents of some very talented people. Especially baseball players. I would have loved to be a professional baseball player. And hey, I do know several women who are jealous of me because I have a loving relationship, and they don't. As for healthy relationships, I have a few. A handful. That's all I need. I prefer quality over quantity. All I need is one active intimate relationship. That can keep me going for a long, long time. I'm not easily hurt. Because I know how to take life in stride. And yes, I do appear tough-minded and relatively unemotional at times. But I can go in the other direction, too. And be kind, considerate and quite emotional, especially in loving ways. I guess all this makes me somewhat narcissistic. Which is a good thing. --Jim Broede