Lesson 31
I am not the victim of the world I see.
Often we feel as though the world is happening to us, making us feel like a victim to this cruel, cruel unpredictable world, no? A helpless, unheard, unseen, take advantage of, undervalued, pion of an existence. Does that about sum it up? On a good day, right? On a bad day, it is much, much worse. No matter where we find ourselves on the spiritual journey the archetype of victim can resonate with all of us as a role we have dabbled in here and there.
When we are in victimhood we have no choice. Life happens. People happen. Circumstances happen. But is that true that we have no choice? If you look more closely, all the things that seem to happen to us are really just our reminders that we do in fact have a choice. And those things that happen are like a tap on shoulder saying “Are you ready to choose again? Are you ready to remember Who You Are? Are you ready to WAKE UP from this nightmare?” It may not seem this way, as often this gift angel is disguised as an angry coworker, a dysfunctional family, a relationship drama, the car that just cut you off, the person that stole your wallet, etc. But if we begin to experience and integrate the lessons of the Course, we understand that life is not just happening to us but for us.
As we discuss victimhood, I believe it is helpful to identify what we get out of it. Yes, we do get something out of it. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t do it. It is that simple. In some way, shape, or form, any role that we play feeds us. It is like the hit of a good drug. And victimhood is a very enticing drug. Although the act of what happened to you feels pretty crappy, on the other hand when you tell someone else of your misfortune, or if someone witnesses it, you get sympathy, doted upon, attention, maybe free stuff, a cookie or something in the food area, cheerleaders to agree with you that what happened to you was wrong, and all other sorts of things that are good substitutes for feeling a lack of love. You are now the star of the show and all you had to do was play the victim for a while. Just look closely for the certain areas in your life where you tend to be a victim. What is your particular flavor? Notice even in smaller instances where you are playing the “damsel in distress.”
Victimhood can be a very slippery slope, a steep downward spiral. It is a negative energy vortex, that once engaged upon, becomes an uphill battle in returning to a place of neutral. Today’s statement is like a friendly hand reaching down to help you out of the well you placed yourself in, guiding you back to your rightful seat as Creator and Choice Maker.
“Remind yourself that you are making a declaration of independence in the name your own freedom (ACIM Lesson 31 4:2).”
You have power in your hands. You have the power of choice. Always and in all ways. Take a moment and take a bow for your performance as victim and thank those who helped you play the role so well and who gave you something to be a victim about. You are truly anything but powerless.
One of my favorite “Living Masters” is Rocky Balboa. At the recent 2016 Golden Globes when Sylvester Stallone received the award for best supporting actor for Creed, he thanked the audience for allowing and supporting his imaginary friend to come to life. His imaginary friend, Rocky Balboa, is wonderful example of not being a victim of the perceived world. In the movie, Balboa, Rocky has a beautiful exchange with his son, Robert Balboa Jr., about not being a victim to his life. Before I get down to the clip of this exchange in Balboa, let me highlight a few things so that as you watch the video you can observe the exchange in its “holy-ness,” as if Rocky’s son were you, the Daughter/Son of God, and Rocky were the ever-loving Father Mother God.
It can be frustrating to be on a spiritual journey when we start to live from a Higher Power. We say we want it, that we want to awaken, but often times we do get angry at God for what this journey entails. No one understands. Some are starting to say that you are weird. And for what, this God you can’t see? Often you feel, even, victim to God.
*(Starting at 0:40 of clip)*
Robert Balboa, Jr.: “Don’t you care what people think? Doesn’t it bother you that people are making you out to be a joke? And that I’m gonna be included in that? Do you think that is right? Do you?”
…And Our Savior’s Ever Loving, Yet, Honest Response:
Rocky Balboa: “You ain’t gonna believe this but you used to fit right here [Rocky points to palm of hand]. I’d hold you up and say to your mother ‘this kid’s gonna be the best kid in the world. This kid’s gonna be somebody better than anybody ever knew.’ And you grew up good and wonderful. It was great just watching you. Everyday was like a privilege. Then the time come for you to be your own man and take on the world. And you did. But somewhere along the line you changed. You stopped being You. You let people stick a finger in your face and tell you you’re no good. And when things got hard you started looking for something to blame. Like a big shadow.”
Our Creator always adores us. From the moment we were conceived She knew our greatness and our truest abilities. For Her, it is a privilege to watch us grow and witness our remembrance. She also knows the world we took on and how we have forgot who we really are. We started to believe in our shadow instead of our Light. Yet She Continues…
Rocky Balboa: “Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place, and I don’t care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now, if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain’t you. You’re better than that!”
Our Comforter reminds us that we are better than playing victims to this world.
Rocky Balboa: “I’m always gonna love you no matter what. No matter what happens. You’re my son. You’re my blood. You are the best thing in my life. But until you start believing in yourself you’re never gonna have a life.”
Once more, we are reminded of Her unconditional love, even when we choose to play small in this world. She also shares a beautiful piece of truth; as long as we don’t believe in the power that we have, we will not live the glorious life that is waiting upon us. We must only choose.
Today is your call to action. Pick up your power. It would be absurd not to. Stand in gratitude for each moment someone or something calls you to remember to make that choice once again. And continue making that choice, over and over. Because in that choice you are claiming the freedom of Who and What You Are.
Today is Your day to shine!
Namaste.