The Victim in Every Story.

Have you ever met someone who seems to take the role of the victim in their life story? I have. It's terribly frustrating.

Life brings us heartache, sometimes heartache that I cannot even begin to comprehend. I see people go through things and I my heart hurts for them, and so I can't Imagine what their heart must feel like. And thus I understand that truly there are times that we have experienced being the victim. And I can't begin to lessen those instances, or pretend as if I know how anyone should respond to a plethora of situations of which I've never better a part, nor want to be a part of.

But there are some folks, who play the victim. They run around exclaiming their victimization in an attempt to persuade everyone of the 'truth.' The reality is, we must watch out for these people. Oftentimes in these dangerous situations, the victim is in fact the villain and by powers of manipulation the villain does persuade. These can be the worst situations...why? Because the true victim is made to feel like the villain, and the true villain pulls everyone's heartstrings into believing that the true victim is at fault and therefore must be punished.  These punishments are often punishments of the heart and soul. The worst kind.

Manipulation is a dangerous and cruel word. I hate that word. I hate that it exists. I hate that people use it. I hate that sometimes I think I have used it! It sneaks up on people like a little thief, taking away common sense, courtesy, and kindness. It eats up respect, and destroys trust thus destroying love.

My wish:
That every human being would realize the truth about themselves. That they would take upon themselves the responsibility for their actions. They would not be afraid to say I'm sorry, or be afraid of giving up the last word. That they would realize they are spirits given the ability to act, and not be acted upon...

2 Nephi 2:26

26 And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given.

I wish that every human being sought first for forgiveness. And never malice, envy, or hate. I wish grudges didn't exist, and I wish everyone enjoyed giving their burdens to the Lord, and using the Atonement. I wish everyone knew how much lighter you can feel, and how much peace can be enjoyed. 

What am I going to do about it? 

Continue working on myself. I can't force anyone to change and even if I could I don't want that responsibility. I have to be a good mom, and teach my children what I know. I have to be the best friend, sister, daughter, etc. that I can be. On judgment day I will be responsible for myself primarily and only those I have stewardship over. I will try harder. I will act for myself because I can. I will not let the darkness of this world seep into me or my family. I will be and act like the daughter of a Heavenly Father. Sometimes I miss out on opportunities for kindness cuz I'm a lil shy. I want to be better. Sometimes I say things I shouldn't, or I act how I shouldn't. I want to be better. 

Ultimately the world can only change when individuals choose to make it better. When they choose to make themselves better. If you've ever seen Pay it Forward you know how one action with the challenge to do more can create a whole lot of love and kindness which spreads into a whole lot of joy. It can grow exponentially if we let it. And the opposite is also true, when we choose to act harshly, withhold love and forgiveness, those actions can spread and find their way into relationships---exponentially. 

I choose not to be the victim in every story. NOT gonna happen. If it's happened before, it'll stop now. I hope we all have the desire to follow the hero. Notice how I didn't say be the hero? Someone already is the hero. The only leadership responsibilities we really have are to lead others to this hero, so they can find how He can change their stories.