I’ll get to the mirror in a second, but first, the other day I was talking with a group of guys about being a Narcissist. And what that actually means.
The definition of a Narcissist is basically this:
“a person who suffers from narcissism, deriving erotic gratification from admiration of his or her own physical or mental attributes”
My Bio-Dad is a narcissist like in the worst way.
In fact, after wifey met him for the first time, and after speaking (or being talked at) with him for the first time, she said,
“if I never have to speak with him again, it will be too soon.”
When you feel that way, you are most likely dealing with a narcissist. Always bringing the conversation back to themselves, and somehow congratulating themselves about something.
It’s repulsive.
And sad.
And the other day someone asked me how to “get through” to a narcissist…
… I said, “As far as I know it’s impossible”
And here’s why.
A narcissist carries an imaginary mirror around with them at all times. They hold this mirror up, right in front of their face, so close they can’t really see around it to the outside world. And in this mirror is a reflection. A reflection that they themselves have created.
So…
….anytime they hear something, or someone tries to “enlighten” them on something…
…they go back to the image they have in the mirror. And if what someone else says doesn’t match what THEY SEE in the mirror in front of their face…
…well then that person is wrong and basically stupid.
And it’s only when life throws such a massive curveball that a narcissist has a blessing of perspective that somehow shatters the mirror. But until then… it’s pointless.
There’s a lot of narcissism in the piano teaching world.
A lot of teachers carrying around mirrors about how there is only ONE WAY to learn piano. And if you don’t do it that way, well then you’re wrong. PERIOD.
I used to try and convince them that there was another way.
A way to play with both hands, have it sound rich and full and not have to read sheet music, learn massive amounts of scales and play twinkle twinkle little star songs to start .
They mocked me when I said you can learn piano easy.
And you know what…
… I decided listen to my students instead of them.
Like Jeanne for example:
“I just got your program a few weeks ago – I am 69 and feel like 35. I remember saying a few months ago, “I guess I will take up piano in my next life time.” Then my inside “rebel voice” said, “What!!!????” So here I am practicing at least 15 minutes a day and loving every minute of it! Thanks Tim for bringing my next life into my now!” Jeanne Sanner
There’s more than one way to skin the piano cat.
And you can start playing today by signing up here:
