Times are tough. Staying cool during Southern California summers is challenging. Driving in L.A. is challenging. The threat of fire, earthquake, and other natural disasters is challenging. Getting up in the morning is challenging. Employment and unemployment are challenging. Change is challenging. Falling in or out of love is challenging. Living with injury, illness, and/or disability is challenging. Parenting is challenging. Caring for aging parents is challenging. Managing money is challenging. Depression, anxiety, stress, fear, anger, and frustration are challenging. Violence, crime, conflict, abuse, and war are challenging. Death, dying, and taxes are challenging. Life is challenging — it has always has been and always will be. Hmmm … maybe it’s supposed to be. Any of us can be victimized by these stressors and challenges, but becoming a victim is optional. Victims fail to recognize or utilize their innate ability to influence their circumstances. Victims fail to respond to the demands of the present or create a vision for the future. Victims embrace a “can’t do” attitude, and often bring others down with negativity, pessimism, and criticism. Victims become part of the problem by failing to step up to be part of the solution. Victims think they are powerless to take constructive action, but seem ready and willing to tell others what to do or what should be done. Champions (survivors), on the other hand, refuse to be defeated by circumstance. They play the cards they’re dealt and stay in the game. Champions ask questions like: “What else can I do to improve my circumstances and achieve the results I want?” Champions envision, plan for, and pro-actively initiate action to realize their goals. Champions make commitments carefully and then keep those commitments.
Champions take responsibility for the consequences of the actions they take and the actions they fail to take. Champions focus on solutions and possibilities, not on past wrongs and affixing blame. If you feel victimized by the circumstances in your life and don’t wish to become a victim, you can learn how to lift yourself up and be a champion. The most difficult step is the first one … asking for help.
For more information, call Debbie to schedule a consultation with her for therapy/coaching in Valencia 661-259-5986 or Encino 818-385-0550.