AM I A NARCISSIST?

10 Questions To Determine Whether You Live For Others Or Only Yourself

If you want to engage in some disconcerting reading on some quiet evening, go online and read the clinical descriptions of “Narcissistic Personality Disorder.” Most of us have had to deal with narcissists at some time in our lives; if you have, you know it’s no mean task.

In a nutshell, a narcissist is a person who grew up with little or no inner sense of “self.” The only self they know is the one they see in the eyes of others, and so they learn well-honed behaviors over a lifetime, designed to elicit positive responses from others. The truest narcissists are highly skilled at this; at first impression they may be very impressive to others. The only problem is that if you are no longer helpful in their self-centered project, you are expendable.

Jesus showed much wisdom when he told his followers to deny themselves. This was not a call for poor self-esteem, but a reminder that a life built around the needs of the self alone will be an empty life indeed.

Both the clinical information and the spiritual wisdom serve as a challenge to all of us to do some honest self-examination. To what extent am I selfish? Am I self-centered or other-centered? Considering this, I thought I’d compile a little 10-question test made up of the things I need to ask myself.

• Do I worry more about myself or others?

• Which do I do more: talk or listen?

• How would I feel if I had to live with me?

• Do I talk mostly about myself, or do I ask others to tell me about them?

• When I’m in a social gathering, do I concentrate on the person I’m talking with, or do I look over their shoulder to see who else is in the room?

• When was the last time I wrote a note to someone going through a hard time?

• What portion of my income do I keep for myself, and how much do I give to the needs of others? How about my time?

• When someone disagrees with me, religiously or politically, do I start a fight or do I seek to know the true reasons for their opinion?

Anglican

ALL SAINTS DALLAS / 2733 Oak Lawn / 972.755.3505

Radical Inclusivity, Profound Transformation. Come and See! 9:00 & 11:00 am Sunday Services. www.allsaintschurchdallas.org

Baptist

PARK CITIES BAPTIST CHURCH / 3933 Northwest Pky / pcbc.org

All services & Bible Study 9:15 & 10:45. Trad. & Blended (Sanctuary), Contemporary (Great Hall), Amigos de Dios (Gym) / 214.860.1500

PRESTONWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH / “A Church to Call Home”

Sundays: Bible Fellowship (all ages) 9:15 am /Service Time 11:00 am 12123 Hillcrest Road / 972.820.5000 / prestonwood.org

WILSHIRE BAPTIST / 4316 Abrams / 214.452.3100

Pastor George A. Mason Ph.D. / Worship 8:30 & 11:00 am

Bible Study 9:40 am / www.wilshirebc.org

Bible Churches

NORTH HIGHLANDS BIBLE CHURCH / www.nhbc.net

Sunday: Lifequest (all ages) 9:00 am / Worship 10:30 am

Wed: Student Ministry 7:00 pm / 9626 Church Road / 214.348.9697

Disciples Of Christ

EAST DALLAS CHRISTIAN CHURCH / 629 N. Peak Street / 214.824.8185

Sunday School 9:30 am / THE TABLE Worship Gathering 9:30 am

Worship 8:30 & 10:50 am / Rev. Deborah Morgan / www.edcc.org

MIDWAY HILLS CHRISTIAN CHURCH / 11001 Midway Road

Sundays: School for all ages 9:30 am / Worship service 10:50 am 214.352.4841 / www.midwayhills.org

Methodist

LAKE HIGHLANDS UMC / 9015 Plano Rd. / 214.348.6600 / lhumc.com

Sunday Morning: 9:30 am Sunday School / 10:30 am Coffee

Worship: 8:30 am & 10:50 am Traditional / 10:50 am Contemporary

This is my favorite: What kind of driver am I? Do I consider others? Do I use my turn signals? Do I obey speed limits designed to keep the roads safe? When shopping, do I put my cart back where it belongs, or do I leave it in the middle of a space? How often do I let someone go in front of me with a wave and a smile? You can tell — I think my behavior behind the wheel is the best place to decide whether I am a narcissist!

Finally (and I do mean finally), when I die, what will the headline of my obituary say? What will they say at the funeral? How would I feel about that?

Just a few uncomfortable questions for a February day. And, by the way, don’t forget to buy a card for your Valentine. That would be a good start.

Unity

UNITY OF DALLAS / A Positive Path For Spiritual Living 6525 Forest Lane, Dallas, TX 75230 / 972.233.7106 / UnityDallas.org

Sunday Services: 9:00 am & 11:00 am

CLASSES/TUTORING/ LESSONS

ALL AGES: LEARN PIANO WITH WADE COTTINGHAM LakewoodPianoLab.com Since 1998. 214-564-6456

ART: Draw or Paint. All Levels. Lake Highlands N. Rec. Ctr. Jane Cross, 214-534-6829. Linda, 214-808-4919.

ARTISTIC GATHERINGS

Casa Linda Plaza. Art Classes & Drop In Pottery Painting For All Ages. 214-821-8383. Tues-Sat 10am-6pm

DRUM & PIANO LESSONS Your location. UNT Grad. BucherMusicSchool.com or call 214-484-5360, 469-831-7012

GUITAR OR PIANO Fun/Easy. Your Home. 11 Yrs Exp. Reasonable rates. UNT Grad. Larry 469-358-8784

Childcare

LOVING, CHRIST-CENTERED CARE SINCE 1982 Lake Highlands Christian Child Enrichment Center Ages 2 mo.-12 yrs. 9919 McCree. 214-348-1123.

Employment

AIRLINE CAREERS begin here. Get FAA approved maintenance training. housing & financial aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. Aviation institute Of Maintenance Houston 877-846-4155 or Dallas 888-896-8006

PET SITTERS, DOG WALKERS Email Recruiting@pcpsi.com

Services For You

AT ODDS WITH YOUR COMPUTER? Easily Learn Essential Skills. Services include Digital Photo Help. Sharon 214-679-9688

CONFUSED? FRUSTRATED? Let A Seasoned Pro Be The Interface Between You & That Pesky Computer. Hardware & Software Installation, Troubleshooting, Training. $50/hr. 1 hr min. Dan 214-660-3733 or stykidan@sbcglobal.net

DISH TV RETAILER-SAVE Starting $19.99/mo (for 12 months) Free premium movie channels. Free equipment, Installation & activation. Call. Compare local deals. 1-800-309-1452

GRAPHIC DESIGN BY SOZA DESIGN Logos, Brochures, Posters & More. wsoza@yahoo.com 214-287-6499

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA FROM HOME 6-8 Wks. Accredited. Free brochure. No computer needed. 1-800-264-8330 Benjamin Franklin High School www.diplomafromhome.com

VAPOR MART ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES 214-321-1944. Across from Highland Park Cafeteria. 9533 Losa Drive #2

Professional Services

A WILL? THERE IS A WAY Estate/Probate Matters-Free Consultation. 214-802-6768 MaryGlennAttorney.com

ACCOUNTING, TAXES Small Businesses & Individuals. Chris King, CPA 214-824-5313 www.chriskingcpa.com

BOOKKEEPING NEEDS? Need Help Organizing Finances? No Job Too Small or Big. Call C.A.S. Bookkeeping Services. Cindy 214-821-6903

EDITING. All written genres, all levels. Ph.D Professional Communication, NMSU. University writing instructor 20+ years. 469-263-7004

HOLLOWAY BENEFIT CONCEPTS Benefit strategy for area businesses. www.hollowaybenefitconcepts.com 214-329-0097

OSTEOPATHY—CRANIAL OSTEOPATH For structural or internal problems, head & body, newborn, young child, all ages. Liz Chapek, D.O. 214-341-8742. www.chapek.doctorsoffice.net

REED & RIORDAN PLLC Dallas Family Law Attorneys 10000 N. Central Expy. Dallas 214-570-9555 reedriordan.com

Light up the night

Neighbors gathered on the Northaven Trail at Edgemere to enjoy holiday light displays, food and fellowship.

His last bow

More than 250 choir, dance and theater students performed in “Winter Songs: A Musical Concert” at W.T. White High School, marking choir director Michael Parker’s final winter concert. Parker has served as choral director since 1999, writing original shows and leading students to top honors at UIL competitions over the years.