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I Am Not A Victim

A week or so ago, I had an "aha!" moment.  I realized that when it came to taking vacation time at work, I was playing the victim.  I would not take time off when I could, and would say it's because I felt bad that I was leaving work for others to do while I was away.  That point isn't untrue, but I also recognize there's that side of me that was angry that so much seems to fall on my plate.  I was also being prideful, because when I did have the opportunity or was encouraged to take a day off, I would think, "Don't do me any favors!"  Or, "Gee a day off mid-week... Thanks a lot!" 

Ugh.  So bad.  So immature!

I have been angry because I haven't been getting my way.  I started to list all the reasons out, but it's just ridiculous what I wanted, and thought I deserved.

Even though I've been feeling like the victim because one thing or another doesn't seem fair, it in no way means I'm actually a victim. 

Thinking the world is fair, is a child-like way of thinking.  The world isn't fair.  I know this.  I've heard the saying "life isn't fair" a million times over the years.  And yet, I was getting angry, bitter, and thought I was a victim to this cruel, cruel world, forever suffering at the hands of those around me. 

Poor me!  Feel sorry for me!!

Ew.

So, even though it felt unnatural, I blocked some time on the calendar for the end of the month.  Now I just have to figure out what I'm going to do with it!

I realized that I haven't been taking responsibility for my own happiness.  I have no doubt that I'll see more and more ways that I've been playing the victim, and not realizing it.  Even as I write this, I'm starting to see flashes of instances of when I thought I was the victim.  When I thought things should be fair, or should bend to my taste or needs.   

I am not powerless.  Life is not something that is happening to me. 

I actually found this article incredibly helpful.  Albeit, it was a little hard to read.  It was kind of like looking into a mirror.  And, I did not like what was staring back at me.

So now, when I notice my thoughts turn towards a self-victimization way of thinking, I put a stop to it immediately.  I'm not even entertaining those thoughts anymore. 





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