So many of us live in the past. We constantly bemoan the things that “happened to us” and blame them for why we are the way we are today. Let me say this clearly. I’m in no way minimizing some of the atrocities that many of us experience; what I must say however, is that WE are the only ones who can CHOOSE how “what happened to us” will affect our future! WE set our destiny by how WE CHOOSE to respond. We can choose to remain bitter and blame everything under the sun on why we can’t seem to get ahead; we can blame our parents, spouses, significant others, total strangers, for the abuse they subjected us to, and use that as the reason why we cannot trust anyone.

And no – I’m not saying that it’s going to be easy. But when I see people who’ve been abused, born without limbs, had horrible accidents, illnesses – CHOOSE to surmount the “victim mentality” and soar to the highest heights of their achievement; I find it difficult to use my past experiences of those who did me wrong – to color the possibilities of my future! I believe you can do the same. NO – I’m not saying it will be easy. However, consider the alternative. Would you rather spend the rest of your life blaming others for where you are in life? Or, would you rather show them that no matter what they did – they DID NOT – CANNOT, control who you can become.

The victim mindset dilutes the human potential. If we do not accept responsibility for our circumstances, we render ourselves impotent to change them. In life you will meet two types of people; ones who tear you down and ones who build you up. In the end, you will learn something from both. Right now, you have everything within you to be a great success in every area of your life. The only thing that limits us are the thoughts we have today. Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can, or you cannot, you are right!”

Prove them wrong, and soar like the eagle to your highest potential. DO NOT take your dreams to your grave! You were born to do GREAT things. Just do it!