Refuse to be a Victim

Life happens. Adversity happens. We all face some level of challenge, trial, or pain. Sometimes, it's of our own making. Sometimes, it things far beyond our control. But regardless of the source of adversity, regardless how big or small our challenge is, we all get a choice in how we react and handle it. Life isn't a competition of who's life is better or who had it worse. It's about how we play the cards we're dealt, whether we're the dealer or not.

People die. People get abused. People make poor choices that negatively impact the lives of those around them. People are abandoned. I am not trivializing any of these occurrences. They suck. They're hard to get through and hard to face. I hate them and wish none of us had to face trials. But the people I admire are those who refused to play the victim. I am inspired by those who refuse to say, "Woe is me." I am in awe of people who have every right to shut down, but who rise up, who become more than the sum of their parts. I love it when people choose to find the positive in nasty circumstances, who learn from other people's pasts.

I know someone who is grateful for the work ethic instilled in them by someone who also caused great heartache and pain. I know another who didn't know their parents, was raised in the system, ended up on the streets in a bad way, but now has a beautiful life with a spouse and child. I admire a person who's father didn't show much affection, didn't give hugs or tell them they were loved very often, who is now an amazing, loving, affection, and giving spouse and parent.

There are so many people who have been victimized in some form or fashion. But I know and respect numerous ones who refuse to be victims. I also know people who've had it seemingly pretty good. Life's been kind and easy. Yet their outlook, their attitude, is one of "poor, poor, pitiful me." They're never satisfied. They never have enough.

Life is all about attitude. It's how we handle the good, the bad, the ugly. Do we choose to be victimized? Do we choose to roll over and say "uncle" when crummy things happen? Do we check out of life when the unimaginable occurs? Do we choose to be jealous because someone else has the latest, greatest, spiffiest toy? Are we sad because someone else's house is bigger or car is fancier?

Or do we wake up in the morning, glad that we woke up that morning? Do we relish the time we had with a loved one instead of lamenting what never was? Do we look at how bad someone else's life has become through their own choices and know we can refuse to walk that same path?

There are always choices in life. Not in what happens, but in how we respond. Refuse to be the victim. Remaining victimized turns people bitter. Instead, we must choose an attitude that allows healing. If we let it, Life will become sweeter again.