Re-reading “Maria,” the autobiography of Maria Von Trapp of “Sound of Music” fame, I enjoyed her description of the time she was answering questions after speaking at a university. A philosophy student said, “Mrs. von Trapp, you come from a large family don’t you? You must have had a very happy childhood.” Maria hated to disappoint him, but felt she had to be truthful. “No, I am sorry I was an only child and an orphan, and I had a most unhappy childhood.” The student then responded, “I am studying psychology and, according to the book, you should have become a juvenile delinquent.” Laughter followed.
Isn’t that a common thought? If we had a miserable childhood, or some other trauma or setback, then we are a victim and can’t be successful? And yet it seems that the only thing holding back people who have been victims of some trauma, unhappiness, or setback is the idea that they are still a victim. But there’s good news: If you were a victim, you don’t have to be a victim. You can overcome your trauma, setback, disadvantage.
So many have done this. There are well-known people such as George Washington Carver, born a slave but became a great scientist who made important contributions to the world or Robert Louis Stevenson who was a sickly child and suffered serious bronchial problems most of his life but was a great and much loved writer. There are also people all around you who are not necessarily famous (perhaps even you, yourself), who have suffered various traumas or setbacks and yet haven’t wallowed in them; they are not owning the identity of “victim” which is debilitating. Instead they forged ahead and pursued good things, unhindered by whatever hardships they suffered.
In our day, victimhood is often encouraged, but is never helpful. Whatever you have suffered in life, you don’t have to be a victim going forward.
That’s good news!
