13 Simple Words that Could Change Your Life

[JohnPlace]

The following 13 words have the power to change your life:

Victimhood is a position of powerlessness, while accountability is a position of power.

In another thread on this forum recently, we spent some time talking about how empowering it is to take responsibility for our own actions. As a result of this conversation (and thanks largely to meaningful contributions from Shamou and others), I was inspired to share my experiences with victimhood vs. accountability, and the difference that these two mindsets have had on me throughout the course of my life.

If you're interested in reading about my experiences in detail, click here: 13 Simple Words that Could Change Your Life Forever. Otherwise, I'll summarize for you here in this thread: In a nutshell, I have noticed throughout my life that perceiving myself as a victim has turned me into a victim, whereas perceiving myself as accountable for myself has turned me into an overcomer.

Also, I am very interested to hear about your experiences relating to "perceiving yourself as a victim" vs. "perceiving yourself as an overcomer."

I look forward to your responses.

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by JohnPlace

I look forward to your responses.

Very touching story John...

Your are so on target when you say, "Victimhood is a position of powerlessness, while accountability is a position of power."

It also works in business... When I first started in Chiropractic... people were not busting the doors of my office to get it... I was friggin starving...

At that time, I blamed the stupidity of people for not understanding what Chiropractic could do for them... I blame the financial conjecture... I blamed the Canadian Health System (free social medicine) I blame everyone and everything except myself...

Then, this fantastic guy, Dr. David Singer, told me, "You're the source... you're the generator... you are the one who will attract the patients to your office."

I stopped looking outward and started looking inward for the solution for my problems... within one year, I was driving a brand new Corvette and was the cockiest m.f. in town... but that's another story...

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[Feathers]

John, thank you for sharing that story with us. As Shamou already said, it is very touching and I did relate to it.

Shamou, thanks for giving me the link to this thread. When I found Steve's article on helping negative people, I really was looking for ways to deal with the people in my life who ALWAYS play the victim, people who don't have a clue how to be anything BUT the victim. Looking at some of my friends and family, I see them mirroring to me the things I need to work on and this is one of my issues. I'm getting much better at taking responsibility, better at being accountable, but there's still work to be done.

Now.... hmmmm... Shamou, wanna tell me about the is cocky m.f. in the corvette? He sounds like he has an interesting story to tell.

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by Feathers

Now.... hmmmm... Shamou, wanna tell me about the is cocky m.f. in the corvette? He sounds like he has an interesting story to tell.

Bwahaha... it is the story of someone who found success before he was mature enough to handle it...

There was another big lesson to be learned... money gives you more power... but does not make you wiser or smarter...

In my case, it turned me into a playboy... thinking that this was the way to go... believe me... it's not... you will not find happiness in grabbing everything you can lay your hands on... but by opting for the fundamental values of respect for people and truly caring for those who are near and dear to you...

However, I would be lying if I said that I don't still have fond memories of those wild times though...

.

[Erki]

But...but...you still have that Corvette, right?

[Feathers]

ROFL, Erki! hehehehe It's a valid question though, Shamou!

So, Shamou, on a more serious note.... seems releasing your victimhood, it propelled you in a totally different direction. When you became a playboy, grabbing everything you could get your hands on... what made you see the truth? What got through to you to make you rethink the path you were taking? If it's not too personal of a question, of course.

[JohnPlace]

Originally Posted by Shamou

... you will not find happiness in grabbing everything you can lay your hands on... but by opting for the fundamental values of respect for people and truly caring for those who are near and dear to you...

Truer words were never spoken, Shamou.

[JohnPlace]

Originally Posted by Feathers

John, thank you for sharing that story with us.

Anytime, Feathers.

[JohnPlace]

Originally Posted by Feathers

Now.... hmmmm... Shamou, wanna tell me about the is cocky m.f. in the corvette? He sounds like he has an interesting story to tell.

If Shamou starts a blog, I'll be the first guy in line to link to him. I'll bet he has some wonderful things to teach all of us.

[Old Soul]

Victimhood is a position of powerlessness, while accountability is a position of power

Here's to the kids who missed the dance
for hushed and silenced reasons
never got the chance
Here's to the kids who can not sing
in their ongoing suffering
Here's to the kids who sit all alone
even when their parents are home
Here's to the kids teased and mocked
as they walk school halls
for it is their cry that demands true justice
shaming the rest one and all....


I think regaining/ finding your voice is the most wonderful and powerful experience one can ever have.... I grew up voiceless, found my voice and have not stopped talking since hehehee:-))

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by Feathers

ROFL, Erki! hehehehe It's a valid question though, Shamou!

So, Shamou, on a more serious note.... seems releasing your victimhood, it propelled you in a totally different direction. When you became a playboy, grabbing everything you could get your hands on... what made you see the truth? What got through to you to make you rethink the path you were taking? If it's not too personal of a question, of course.

Actually my first wife left with the house, the cars and the money... that gave me a "wake up" call...

Now I can laugh about it... 'cause I now have new and improved models (I won't say of what... it's your guess ) but at the time, it was no laughing matter... I took a little stroll in hell where I discovered more noble values...

And sorry Erki... I don't have the Corvette anymore... 'cause I'm past 60 years old and I feel that nothing looks more pitiful than an old fart driving a Corvette... I now settle for a BMW and a SUV... I look so dignified in that that it hurts...

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[Shamou]

Originally Posted by JohnPlace

If Shamou starts a blog, I'll be the first guy in line to link to him. I'll bet he has some wonderful things to teach all of us.

Thank you for saying that John... coming from you it means a lot because I have the utmost respect for you and your integrity...

However I have no desire of starting a blog... the reason being that I am not an original thinker... everything that I have to say has been said by someone else... and said in a much better way that I could say it...

.

[Feathers]

Originally Posted by Shamou

Actually my first wife left with the house, the cars and the money... that gave me a "wake up" call...

Now I can laugh about it... 'cause I now have new and improved models (I won't say of what... it's your guess ) but at the time, it was no laughing matter... I took a little stroll in hell where I discovered more noble values...

And sorry Erki... I don't have the Corvette anymore... 'cause I'm past 60 years old and I feel that nothing looks more pitiful than an old fart driving a Corvette... I now settle for a BMW and a SUV... I look so dignified in that that it hurts...

.

Ah, yes, a stroll through hell on earth will do that, won't it? Thank you for answering the question.

But I agree with John... if you had a blog it would be very popular... and I would certainly be one of those reading regularly!!

[Erki]

Originally Posted by Shamou

And sorry Erki... I don't have the Corvette anymore... 'cause I'm past 60 years old and I feel that nothing looks more pitiful than an old fart driving a Corvette...

As pitiful as Ron Fellows?

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by Erki

As pitiful as Ron Fellows?

At least Ron Fellows knows how to drive... I only cruise...

PS.- Sorry John for all the hijack...

.

[JohnPlace]

Originally Posted by Old Soul

Here's to the kids who missed the dance
for hushed and silenced reasons
never got the chance
Here's to the kids who can not sing
in their ongoing suffering
Here's to the kids who sit all alone
even when their parents are home
Here's to the kids teased and mocked
as they walk school halls
for it is their cry that demands true justice
shaming the rest one and all....

beautiful words.

I think regaining/ finding your voice is the most wonderful and powerful experience one can ever have.... I grew up voiceless, found my voice and have not stopped talking since hehehee:-))

Sounds a lot like me.

[JohnPlace]

Originally Posted by Shamou

PS.- Sorry John for all the hijack...

.

No problem, Shamou. I give you a lifetime pass for free hijacking whenever you like.