by Emily Hoffman

    Earlier in the week I served the residents of my house homemade marinara sauce and meatballs.
     I thought the meal tasted great even though one child said "Nice onion sauce, Mom." The other ate and picked and said, "Really, I did like it."
     It's obvious to me that since I liked it and no one else said clearly they hated it, I have a mandate to make that meal again. I have cooking capital to spend, I'd say.
     I've found over the years that it's much easier to live in this world if I simply make up my mind about how I want the world to be, and then fit the facts to agree with my opinion.
     It's easy, really. Here's a short lesson.
     First, decide what it is you want to accomplish or who you want to be. Set out on that path with focused determination. Don't let the reasoned opinions of others sway you in any way. Certainly don't allow facts to clutter up the picture.
     Second, never, and I mean never, admit you didn't get it right. This is very important. For example, let's say your adult child spends his day rocking in the corner and singing nursery rhymes to himself, and in his spare time is in intensive therapy because of his childhood. Don't be tempted to blame it on poor parenting. And don't ever change the way you're dealing with those children still at home.
     Third, surround yourself with people who love you and think you can do no wrong.
     Fourth, don't be tempted to allow overwhelming evidence to the contrary change your mind.
     And finally, if all else fails, cheating is a option, though you must do it so that it doesn't look like cheating.
     I hope this short lesson in narcissism helps you along in life.