We have done a lot of talking about the Victim archetype. It got me thinking about what makes a victim. Not all people who have been traumatized become subject to the negative side of Victim energies; yet we all have a Victim archetype. The question is, on which side of the spectrum does your personal experience with the Victim show up?
In concentration camps, in areas with young people committing suicide due to public judgement, in black or Hispanic populations, and in so many other places, prejudice was/is a common daily pressure. In some cases historically, spiritual mindset and attitudes made all the difference for those being victimized. For example, certain people in concentration camps came through their experiences as leading lights for others to follow. While many died from abuse and despair and many were just plain murdered during the holocaust; some prisoners recognized their true worth as separate from their circumstance and not only survived, but brought hope and faith to those beside them. Nelson Mandela is another example. After years of incarceration in South Africa he said, “As I walked toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.” He made a choice to walk away from the role of victim. This takes character.
The experience of prejudice can be very grim, very painful. How experiences are internalized determines what creates despair or light. This brings us back to character. Character needs to be built as a wholly contained, self-aware reality which includes self-worth, unshakeable awareness of an innate divine right to be, and appreciation for personal gifts and destiny. It doesn’t change the fact that there are those with less understanding and awareness of the divine in all beings. It just means you will be challenged and not falter. That you may be victimized but you will not become a victim. It means that you have a basis for faith; a reason for being that is not defined by the interrelated set of beliefs, attitudes, and values held by some of the community.
On the other hand, if you buy into the mythos of the prejudiced around you and argue for your self-worth based on their judgements, your struggle with Victim energies will be destructive. You ask the wrong set of questions: Why me? What is wrong with me? How can you say these things about me? How can you be so mean? These are all questions of a victim. These are all questions that give your power to another. They are questions inspired out of fear. (Fear is the first extreme emotion covered in my book.) Questions such as these say, I have given you power and control over me. They cause reactions; push back or despair. I would like to offer a third option: Empower yourself!
The second of The Five Words, Empowerment, is the key. Empowerment creates freedom to be, to express, to triumph over external experience while honoring the life and experience around you. There are many ways to lose power; there are many ways to give it away. Empower yourself. Being truly empowered frees you from the need to react. You are not a victim unless you choose to give weight to the judgments of others. Also, be careful of your own self-judgement. It is possible to victimize yourself with your internal dialog.
To find where you are challenged, look at where you react and where you overreact. Where in your life do you feel like a victim? Where and when do you victimize others? Where do you lose power? You can learn more about these important emotions and responses and what to do about them in my book. Please feel free to like and share with your friends on Facebook. Additionally, feel free to question and comment as these enrich the discussions.
Love always,
Katherine
In concentration camps, in areas with young people committing suicide due to public judgement, in black or Hispanic populations, and in so many other places, prejudice was/is a common daily pressure. In some cases historically, spiritual mindset and attitudes made all the difference for those being victimized. For example, certain people in concentration camps came through their experiences as leading lights for others to follow. While many died from abuse and despair and many were just plain murdered during the holocaust; some prisoners recognized their true worth as separate from their circumstance and not only survived, but brought hope and faith to those beside them. Nelson Mandela is another example. After years of incarceration in South Africa he said, “As I walked toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.” He made a choice to walk away from the role of victim. This takes character.
The experience of prejudice can be very grim, very painful. How experiences are internalized determines what creates despair or light. This brings us back to character. Character needs to be built as a wholly contained, self-aware reality which includes self-worth, unshakeable awareness of an innate divine right to be, and appreciation for personal gifts and destiny. It doesn’t change the fact that there are those with less understanding and awareness of the divine in all beings. It just means you will be challenged and not falter. That you may be victimized but you will not become a victim. It means that you have a basis for faith; a reason for being that is not defined by the interrelated set of beliefs, attitudes, and values held by some of the community.
On the other hand, if you buy into the mythos of the prejudiced around you and argue for your self-worth based on their judgements, your struggle with Victim energies will be destructive. You ask the wrong set of questions: Why me? What is wrong with me? How can you say these things about me? How can you be so mean? These are all questions of a victim. These are all questions that give your power to another. They are questions inspired out of fear. (Fear is the first extreme emotion covered in my book.) Questions such as these say, I have given you power and control over me. They cause reactions; push back or despair. I would like to offer a third option: Empower yourself!
The second of The Five Words, Empowerment, is the key. Empowerment creates freedom to be, to express, to triumph over external experience while honoring the life and experience around you. There are many ways to lose power; there are many ways to give it away. Empower yourself. Being truly empowered frees you from the need to react. You are not a victim unless you choose to give weight to the judgments of others. Also, be careful of your own self-judgement. It is possible to victimize yourself with your internal dialog.
To find where you are challenged, look at where you react and where you overreact. Where in your life do you feel like a victim? Where and when do you victimize others? Where do you lose power? You can learn more about these important emotions and responses and what to do about them in my book. Please feel free to like and share with your friends on Facebook. Additionally, feel free to question and comment as these enrich the discussions.
Love always,
Katherine