How Does a Survivor Differ from a Victim?

Surviving and thriving after a traumatic event. What are the characteristics of a survivor, and what are the characteristics of a victim?

Characteristics of a Survivor

Acceptance
Empathy
Esteemable acts
Strong moral compass
Recognizing your part
Taking responsibility
Optimistic
Ability to pause
Turn inward without being self absorbed
Life on Life’s terms
Recognizing that nothing stays up or down
Restoration, not blame, a place of the great unknowing
A power greater than ourselves
Love flowed to them from community, support
In time, they helped others
Service, service= joy
Finding out Who You Are, not what
Share our stories
No secrets
Dig and then let go of the stories
True self
Don’t hold resentments
God box
Compassion, recognizing our soul’s reflection in another person
Authentic and meaningful lives

Characteristics of a Victim:

Blames everyone else for their “lack of”
Entitlement
Fear of not getting what they think they need or having something taken away
Not delving into their own “part” in a situation
No empowerment
Shame of being weak
Invested in our stories we tell ourselves
Self fulfilling prophecy
Fixing ourselves with our own sick minds dosen’t work
Try to change the past