Healthy Narcissism

[quiethumir]

I didn't know there was such a thing as healthy narcissism. I thought there was only one kind and that it is unhealthy and destructive.

Here's a good article explaining it and how healthy narcissism can help us succeed:

Yolanda Reid Chassiakos: Healthy Narcissism Can Help You Succeed

[Million Dollar Man]

I am a bit of a Narcissist myself.. but it is all in fun!
I mean I am actually really nice to people and never put people down.
In fact I try to help people with anything new I learn.

But Yes have lots of self confidence can help you succeed.
I mean I do art, poetry produce other things etc.
I always tell myself I am the BEST I am the Million Dollar Man!
I know it is not true, but it give me the inner energy and drive
to shoot for the moon. And even if I don't land on man..
I will be a star!
Very interesting article.

[Beingist]

Originally Posted by quiethumir

Yolanda Reid Chassiakos: Healthy Narcissism Can Help You Succeed

This title is actually redundant--belief in "success" is inherently narcissistic.

[raykilleen]

Originally Posted by quiethumir

I didn't know there was such a thing as healthy narcissism. I thought there was only one kind and that it is unhealthy and destructive.

You have an interesting inquisitiveness, you may find this an interesting read Hermann Hesse’s : Narcissus and Goldmund.

[RonSouther]

Healthy Narcissism = Oxymoron

[nistacular]

I much prefer the term self love, or high self esteem haha. Ron being technical with terms?

[RonSouther]

Originally Posted by nistacular

I much prefer the term self love, or high self esteem haha. Ron being technical with terms?

Not really. It is hard to use these words because the definitions vary depending on a person's background.

For me narcissism is the falling "in love" with the image one created of self. It's a good feeling about an illusion and the illusion was created at the expense of the person's dignity and the dignity of those that he compared himself to in order to get the amazing self image.

So there's nothing healthy in it. "Health" would be to delight in one's true qualities, not the fake ones.

[nistacular]

I agree with everything you said. Just I don't think that article is using the same definition for narcissism... like it's saying it's the same thing as the difference between having abnormally high self esteem, vs having a 'healthy' self esteem. Though the article makes the assumption that one's self esteem depends on the image, which it doesn't have to. Ex. "Imagine if we had no self-appreciation or self-esteem at all..." and it goes on to compare this with narcissism and self image. "Would we get out of bed in the morning, bathe, brush our hair and teeth, shave or fix our makeup, put on a nice outfit and shoes, and set out to face the world with a smile?".

[RonSouther]

Originally Posted by nistacular

I agree with everything you said. Just I don't think that article is using the same definition for narcissism... like it's saying it's the same thing as the difference between having abnormally high self esteem, vs having a 'healthy' self esteem. Though the article makes the assumption that one's self esteem depends on the image, which it doesn't have to. Ex. "Imagine if we had no self-appreciation or self-esteem at all..." and it goes on to compare this with narcissism and self image. "Would we get out of bed in the morning, bathe, brush our hair and teeth, shave or fix our makeup, put on a nice outfit and shoes, and set out to face the world with a smile?".

I hadn't read the article...will do...I was just commenting on the thread title....

[taylor]

A positive self-image is one thing.
An arrogant self-image is another.

And those with a non-dual spiritual direction might prefer no self-image at all.

[RonSouther]

Originally Posted by taylor

A positive self-image is one thing.
An arrogant self-image is another.

And those with a non-dual spiritual direction might prefer no self-image at all.

YEAH!!

The author is stuck in the first two in her arguments. She's professing an ideology and not her realizations.

Too much of what she is saying is about "deciding" to do this and not that, not understanding that this stuff isn't a decision away but a transformation away.

Her logic makes sense but life doesn't follow what she's saying.