Choosing Empowerment

My wonderful wife Colleen says, "I refuse to be a victim of ...". Just fill in the blank on that one.

Now I have to admit that the first time I heard her say that, I really didn't understand what she meant. Besides, being a victim isn't a place I go. She was talking about a friend who was going through some tough times and we really felt deeply for this person and wanted to help.

I asked, "Well how can you be a victim of them? They are the ones who are going through it? What does that have to do with you?"

I am so glad I asked because I learned a lot! She really took my understanding of being responsible for my own emotions, my own condition, to a whole new level.

Colleen explained that she decided since they are experiencing what they are experiencing, for whatever reason, it was not necessary for her to feel bad about it. It wasn't going to help them if she felt bad.

I was starting to get what she was saying then she asked me, "If someone does you wrong, are you going to play the role of the victim for that person?" Whoa! That got my attention and I got the message.

If you are feeling negative emotions because of something that is outside of you then you are being the victim. And there is so much to feel bad about isn't there? The economy, jobs, taxes... if you need more, just turn on the news.

Notice what I said in that last paragraph... "If you are feeling negative emotions because of something that is outside of you then you are being the victim." That's right. You have a choice to be the victim or not.

Since that is true then the opposite is just as true. You have a choice to be an empowered human.

How does the world change when you choose to be empowered now. The economy - restaurants are still packed. Jobs - you're working with really good people or you have an opportunity to do what you never had time to do. Taxes - you get to participate in being a part of a community.

Wow! The message here is that empowerment is about having a choice. The good news is that you always have a choice so you are always empowered.