Blaming everyone and everything but yourself for the crappy things in your life is is typically referred to as “playing the victim.” It’s a popular way to respond when things don’t shake out as they should because it feels good, it’s easy, and everyone else does it. And, if you want to live a truly crappy life, this is the best place to start.
I should know.
I’ve been married for almost 15 years now. My wife, like every human on the planet, has habits, personality quirks, and character flaws that make my life difficult. It feels unfair to me that I should be forced to live with them.
For our first 10 years together I decided that it would be best for her to change. What I soon learned is that the worst things about her are not easily changed. Many of them are well-rooted, and, like everyone else’s junk, the result of something painful she experienced long before we met.
Imagine my shock when I also learned that I bring some not-so-savory things to the marriage table. Unorganized, irresponsible, angry, overly sensitive, smelly, snorey (full list provided upon request). It’s just as downright unfair to her, and she’s spent just as much time as I have trying to change me with similar affect.
So we’ve both spent a fair bit of our marriage playing the victim, believing something akin to “I can never be happy here” and being completely miserable.
I know people that hop from job to job with the same spirit – “So and so is hard to deal with,” “I need to leave,” “I can’t be happy until I have the right job.”
I have a friend who frequently says that the wrong job is one of the best things you can experience. Learning to be un-miserable in a bad work situation is key to learning how to live an un-miserable life.
We play the victim in our relationships, with our kids, even our hobbies. Every time a bad situation pops up, it’s tempting to view ourselves as the hapless pawn, completely unable to find happiness until things change. The reality is that there will always be something crappy in our lap – something that will be hard to deal with – completely out of our control.
I came to an understanding recently in our marriage that I brought some very difficult things into our relationship that were there before I met my wife, that these things were within my control to change, and that I have a better chance of changing myself than changing anyone else.
I’ve also discovered that compassion, forgiveness, patience and growing in my ability to love Elaine without condition are very powerful tools, all of which I can wield at my whim. They’re heavy, but not impossible.
The more I do this, the more my eyes are opened to her true beauty, as well as the power and majesty that is my own life. I’m not as distracted by crappyness as I used to be, and far less miserable.
Our best life is waiting for us, just inches beyond our greatest challenges.
Playing the victim, on the other hand, leaves us miserable because a) things usually don’t change and b) we’re so busy trying to change things we can’t change that we miss out on the good stuff flying around within arm’s reach.
A good life requires strength, the kind of strength that can only be gained by facing the hard things of life head-on, doing our best to get through (getting a mentor if we don’t know what that looks like), and not giving up until the storm has subsided.
Got a bad relationship? A bad job? A bad marriage? The best way to live un-crappily is to stick it out – work out your “deal with it” muscles, stretch yourself and be less affected the next time something bad comes up.
What we’ll find in the end is that these bad situations aren’t what make our lives miserable, it’s the miserable way we deal with them, and our failure to find the good life that lies just ahead.
Great post! 👍
thanx!
Taking responsibility and finding the good! Great post! 👍
Awesome – thank you so much.
Plenty of wisdom in this post that I need to apply. Thanks, Mark.
Still working on it myself 🙂 Thanx for reading this AM
I used to be very guilty of this, but I’m changing, and life really is much better now.
Thanx Doug – really appreciate it!
You’re most welcome. It was a great read, and so very true!
Appreciate the AM encouragement. I tried to access your blog but the link is dead – can you post a link here?
People aren’t perfect. Anyone who goes into marriage thinking their partner is flawless, or can be made into flawless, is going to have a really hard time of it. The marriages that work are those where each partner recognizes that the other person has some undesirable personality traits and annoying habits, and learns to tolerate those, while working together to build a relationship that will last forever. A sense of humor helps a lot.
yeah, if you can’t laugh about it you’re screwed. Easier to laugh about it if you realize everyone’s in the same boat
I am laughing because we are pulling out carpet in our house and replacing it with hardwood flooring and nothing says “you are annoying” more than house projects do. I’m an eager beaver, go get it done type of person. He likes to mull things over to the point I want to hire it out just so it gets done any my house is put back in order. Crappy job and crappy house projects both do the same things. You might hear me utter swear words. I think yesterday I called him an idiot. He said I was ridiculous. Awww, gotta love marriage 😊
Sounds like you’ll have to forgive him – after he repents. 🙂 ha – had to throw that in….
I should’ve repented so I’m sure that will come back up. Lol
Reblogged this on na
Wonderful post. Awesome timing to. Thanksgiving is the time to be grateful for he things we have, not scornful for those things we don’t.
Thanx for reminding me that I need to actually apply this 🙂
Yep, this. I work in HR and see the job unhappiness quite a bit. People move from job to job not understanding what they DO want, just what they think they don’t….and they fail to analyze their role in the bad situation.
While not every person can be happy in every job, there’s a fit for everyone. Every job has some dysfunction; you just need to find the type of dysfunction you can thrive in.
I suppose the same could be said for relationships! 🙂
Excellent post once again and so sensible. One of the down turn in our country today is that no one steps up and takes responsibility for his/her actions. Accepting that we are all imperfect (except our LORD) can really change and humble a heart. Blessings for a Happy Thanksgiving, 🙂
You too! Great to hear from you again
“Our best life is waiting for us, just inches beyond our greatest challenges.”
Thanx!!
You’re welcome. 🙂
Beautifully said! Keep reaching beyond… 🙂
Thanks I needed that. It’s amazing how much all of us have in common in our lives. Great post.
Great post, Mark! I went through a similar time in my marriage before we both eventually gave up trying to change one another. Nowadays we try to focus on accepting one another, flaws and all. It’s a work in progress, but we’re having a great time!
I recently wrote a similar post that focuses on some techniques for creating your own happiness, even if you have a crappy job! I’d love for you to check it out if you have a chance.
Cheers!