A narcissist is an individual exhibiting excessive self-love, a strong sense of entitlement, and a lack of empathy for others.  They often have an inflated sense of their own importance and seek constant admiration and validation.  Does this sound familiar to you?

I know a person that seemed like an ordinary hurting individual.  (In the past, I unfortunately often found myself trying to help or save people, even when they didn’t want help or need saving. My heart for people often prompted me but I’m working on that!!!)  Anyhow, this person drew me in with sad stories about their life. They came from an abusive childhood. They are “all about family” and always trying to do things for their family.  I fell for it all, hook, line and sinker!!!  In reality, this person was trying to ruin a 20-year friendship I have.  They were manipulating my friend to believe things about me that weren’t true. This person was talking out of both sides of their mouth.  Telling me one thing and telling my friend the complete opposite.  I didn’t start to catch on until they kept saying how humble they were.  Uh, I’m sorry, do you know what the word humble means? They would brag about how their friend circle looked up to them.  I was kept on the phone for hours even though I needed to get up early and go to work.

Suffice it to say that I did finally realize that this person did not care for me the slightest little bit. It was all about them and what they needed.  I had to extract myself from the relationship without causing a violent reaction. Slowly but surely, I stopped stroking their ego and started saying truths I knew wouldn’t be appreciated. I asked questions about situations that couldn’t be answered and after a couple of weeks, I was OUT!!!!

Pay attention to the signs.  Narcissists can be very clever.  They can manipulate you into things and behavior you would never entertain on your own.  When you see them for the narcissist they really are, do this one thing:  Save yourself and RUN as quickly as you can in the opposite direction!!!!