G'day from Canada!

[TreseO]

Where to begin? I've long known I was different than other people, I didn't 'get' the casual relationship between friends. Always on the inside looking out. I just didn't fit in. A chance remark by my sister, "you know mom is a narcissist?" began my journey into darkness. I'm 67 and have only known about narcs since 2018.
Imagine my surprise when I found I wasn't alone in my grief, suffering and despair. Yes, they are out to get you. To mould you into what they want you to be. To take over your emotions and thoughts. I am not who I was suppose to be, instead I'm a product of manipulation that is now in control of my life. As my profile says, I truly wish I didn't know now, what I didn't know three years ago. Thank you Bob Seger! Music has been part of my life since seeing the Beatles in '63. I'd like to share a song that I first heard in '83, something about it resonated within me. I now understand why. Here goes..
How can you stand the silence,
That pervades when we all cry?
How can you watch the violence,
That erupts before your eyes?
How can you tell us something,
Just to keep us hangin' on?
Something that just don't mean nothing,
When we see it, you are gone.
Clinging to some other rainbow,
While we're standing, waiting in the cold,
Telling us the same old story,
Knowing time is growing old..
That was a wonderful remark
I had my eyes closed in the dark
I signed a million sighs
I told a million lies, to myself, to myself.
How can we listen to you, when we know your talk is cheap?
How can we ever question,when we give more and you keep?
How can your empty laughter, fill a room like ours with joy?
When you're only playing with us like a child does with a toy?
How can we ever feel the freedom, or the flame lit by the spark?
How can we ever come out even, when reality is stark?"
    ~Wonderful Remark~ Van Morrison~

Nuff said..for now.

[Hope67]

Hi TreseO,
Those are powerful words expressed by Van Morrison in that song. 

Wow, you saw the Beatles in '63, I imagine that was amazing.

Anyway, welcome.

Hope 

[Not Alone]

Powerful song.

Welcome to OOTS.

[Libby183]

Nice to meet you, TreseO.

Your statement about not being who you should have been really stood out to me.
I feel exactly the same, and it's so sad, isn't it?

[woodsgnome]

g'day to you, TreseO  ...

...and welcome to this little isle of refuge known as OOTS. I hope it fits well into your recovery journey so far, and can help you find new perspectives for the new territory ahead.