Are you a victim or a warrior? If you are thinking about it and factoring in environment, circumstances, etc. you are all ready on the wrong path. The difference between a victim and a warrior is this, their choice of which they will be.
Jim Rohn was right on the money when he talked about forgetting about fearing the thief in the alley, the biggest thief is the one in your (and mine) mind. Do not become a victim of yourself. It is the easiest and quickest way to excuse away your own bad or hurtful behavior and the bad/hurtful behavior of others, but easy does not equate to any end product possessing any value.
We all do it though on occasion. Sometimes we are socialized to be ‘the victim’ out of alleged courtesy or consideration. An example of this is anytime we start a sentence with the words “I know, but,”…but what? What is the purpose of knowing anything if not to utilize it for our growth and the growth of others? Excusing your own negative behavior or that of others is robbing every one of the opportunity for growth. Maybe this means an occasional awkward or uncomfortable moment. So what? We are not so fragile that we cannot overcome a moment of less than pleasurable circumstances for the greater good.
Do we on occasion exhibit bad behavior regardless of whether or not we have a warrior or victim mentality. Of course we do. We are human and as humans we come packing emotion. The point here is to merely let it be the exception and not the rule.
There is a quote by Don Juan (in one of Castaneda’s books), ” A warrior must cultivate the feeling that he has everything needed for the extravagant journey that is his life.” I believe that to be true. I believe if our intent (feeling) is to be a warrior rather than a victim it will make all the difference.
So, are you a victim or a warrior?