“You are not a victim. No matter what you have been through, you’re still here. You may have been challenged, hurt, betrayed, beaten, and discouraged, but nothing has defeated you.” — Steve Maraboli

Bad things happen to good people.

Some people are born into poverty. Arnold Schwarzenegger was born in a post-World War II Austrian town with regular food shortages and riots outside his plumbing-free home. It was a long road from there to Mr. Olympia and “The Terminator.”

Some people are born with severe and even life threatening disabilities. Theodore Roosevelt was born with severe asthma that left him frail and bedridden for weeks at a time. Did he succumb? No! He built his body up over years of strenuous training. This experience made him one of the grittiest, most active human beings you will ever find.

Some people are wrongly imprisoned. Rubin “Hurricane” Carter served 19 years in prison for a triple homicide he did not commit. Every waking moment was spent educating himself in preparation for winning his freedom. And win it he did!

Some people are stripped of everything they have, even their humanity. Viktor Frankl survived the horror of four Nazi concentration camps. Suffering for him was a bottomless well without end. And yet, he recaptured his humanity and prevailed.

What do all of these people have in common?

Every single one of them refused to be a victim. No matter how long it took or how much effort was required, each and every one of them prevailed.

These people demonstrate an inner power common to every human being. It can never be taken, only given. No matter the circumstance and its perils, the choice is always yours.

When adversity comes knocking, will you prevail? You are vastly more powerful than you know. Your ability to endure all but death is written countless times throughout history. It is your birthright. The stories of your forebears are legion.

Don’t ever give away your power. Stand up straight. Look adversity in the eye and use that power to prevail!