In a world of change, where do you belong? The
answer's clear, it's time to be strong. Mindful
growth, that's where we thrive. With Angela's
guidance, watch your best self arise. Transform
with strong, reach for the stars. Resilient minds,
that's who we are. No weakening potential, near
and far. Angela, our strong. Welcome to episode
four. of Transformation Talks with Angela R.
Strong, Empowered Edge Season. I am Angela R.
Strong and today we're tackling one of the most
challenging, yet liberating topics in personal
transformation, moving from victim to victor.
This isn't about denying that bad things happen
or pretending that pain doesn't exist. This is
about reclaiming your power to choose how you
respond to life's challenges. It's about recognizing
that while you can't control what happens to
you, you absolutely can control what happens
next. For months during my final year in the
US Coast Guard, I lived in victim mode. I had
every reason to. I was facing false accusations,
my reputation that I worked so hard for was being
destroyed, and systems that I had trusted for
27 years were failing me. I felt powerless, angry,
and completely at the mercy of forces that were
beyond my control. One morning, I looked in the
mirror and I barely recognized myself. The woman
staring back at me was defeated, bitter, and
felt so small. That's when I made a choice that
changed everything. I decided to stop asking,
why is this happening to me? And start asking,
how is this happening to me? That shift from
victim to victor didn't happen overnight. But
it started with that single question, though.
First, let's be clear. Being a victim of circumstances
does not make you weak. Sometimes we genuinely
are victims of other people's actions, systemic
failures, or life's random cruelties. The victim
mindset becomes problematic when we stay there
permanently. Here's some victim mindset characteristics.
It's when you focus on what's being done to you,
or feeling powerless to change your situation,
or waiting for external circumstances to improve,
defining yourself by your pain, believing that
others control your happiness. Now, Victor mindset
characteristics are these. Focusing on what you
can do despite your circumstances. Identifying
areas where you do have power. Taking action
within your sphere of influence. Using your pain
as fuel for growth. Taking responsibility for
your response and recovery. The transformation
happens in the space between stimulus and response.
That is where your power lives. Reclaiming your
power involves four key steps. Step one, acknowledge
the reality. Stop minimizing or denying what
happens. You can't heal what you won't feel.
Give yourself permission to be angry, to be hurt,
or disappointed. Step two, identify your agency.
Even in the worst situations, you do have some
choices. Maybe you can't control the situation,
but you can control your response. And maybe
you can't change the past, but you can influence
your future. Step three. Refrain your story.
This doesn't mean making excuses or for other
people or pretending that everything happens
for a reason. It just means finding empowering
meaning in your experience. How has this challenge
revealed your strength? What have you learned?
How can you use this experience to help others?
Step four, take a line action. Power without
action is just potential. What one small step
can you take today that aligns with your values
and moves you towards the future that you desire?
Remember, this isn't about forgiveness. That's
a whole separate journey altogether. This is
about refusing to let your past pain dictate
your future possibilities. Let's practice the
Victor's Power Calls. I want you to think of
a situation where you've been feeling powerless.
Take three deep breaths. Now ask yourself, what
aspects of this situation are truly outside of
my control? What aspects do I have some influence
over? And what would take taking responsibility
for my response look like? What's one small action
I could take that would honor my values? How
might this challenge be developing strength that
I didn't know that I had? Feel the shift from
powerlessness to possibility. That is your Victor
Energy Awakening. This week, I want you to practice
the daily power assessment. Each morning I want
you to ask yourself, where do I have power today?
Each evening I want you to reflect, and how did
I use my power today? Choose one area that you've
been feeling victimized and identify three specific
actions that you could take to reclaim some of
that power back in that situation. Moving from
victor to victor isn't about becoming invulnerable.
It's about becoming unstoppable. It's about recognizing
that your power doesn't come from avoiding pain,
but from choosing how you respond to that pain.
Next week, we're exploring the courage to feel,
emotional intelligence in action. Until then,
I want you to remember that you are not what
happened to you. You are what you choose to become
because of what happened to you. I'm Angela R.
Strong, and this is Transformation Talks with
Angela R. Strong, season two, the Empowered Edge
series. I look forward to seeing you guys next
week. Please like. share, and comment. Bye everybody.