I am not what happened to me: Let’s talk about this quote in the context of victim vs creator mentality! This quote is such a powerful statement. Life is never easy, nor was it promised to be. But time and again we fall into this trap of believing that life is what happens to us. We fail to look within and find trust in our abilities, character, personality and the strength to carry us forward. Instead, life feels like a mess because of the messy situation that we are in.
I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become
Carl Jung
But that’s precisely the time to remember that we are not what happens to us. The definition of who we are is framed in the way we respond to the situations that we are presented with. In other words, we are bigger, better and more powerful than what happened to us. If only we can dig a little deeper and identify with the truth that our life is richer than what happens to us – a new life opens up. That’s the spirit of this quote we are talking about today – I am not what happened to me.
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I am not what happened to me I am what I choose to become Meaning
This is a stunning quote about the power of resolve. We don’t have any control over our circumstances. But how we react to our situation depends on us. We are not defined by our circumstances. Our character tells us what to do about the things that happen to us. These lead us to actions which eventually define the outcome.
A cynical part of me even says – it is great to say all this, but my circumstances and environment deeply impact who I become as a person. Although there’s truth to both opinions, I think ultimately, it is your choice to decide what you want to believe in. Your decisions help the mind to focus on defining its stories and correspondingly what you’ll want to do about this. In the end, you get to choose what influences your mindset.
People are beyond what happens to them
We have seen numerous examples of people who’ve faced terrible things – yet lived on to perform amazing outcomes. These examples make me wonder – what is their source of energy and passion which makes them do all this amidst challenges? I mean, none of the circumstances sound conducive!
But yet, they go on and do that. These are not just because they’re amazing personalities or blessed with a mindset that can make anything happen. It must be something more powerful and magical. It is perhaps a part of them that finds the energy to turn things around and say – what can I do to make things better? What matters the most to me and how do I create the reality I want to.
I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become
Carl Jung
I am not what happened to me
We cannot only be the victims of the circumstances. It gives too much power and control to the circumstance. Instead, we must take control of our lives and drive it forward. It won’t give us all the results but stops us from complaining and whining about life. Our best results are in taking action and the first step is to take charge of our life.
The problem is – if we keep focusing on our circumstances, there’s enough to defeat us. It is easy to find reasons for our failures. Each one of these reasons will be more compelling than the other. But ultimately, life is not just about these reasons isn’t it? Or else, every story we hear could’ve been a boring one. The whole premise of inspiration falls flat!
Circumstances can be hard but they can’t decide for you
We must take this message from the quote. Life is hard when tough situations show up and we can’t feel the strength to carry on. But there’s a big difference between defining our identity with pain vs treating pain as a circumstance. If circumstances defined who we are as people, life would be fatalistic and there would be no point in fighting.
In fact, any inspiration we find is all about people who have fought their limiting circumstances to do something great. It is as simple as someone deciding that they don’t like the situation they are in and taking the decision to do something about it.
A lot happens in the ripples of thoughts within our minds. If we are not careful, these ripples start defining our life and very soon they go out of control. Whenever we have the chance to pause and reflect, we must find the strength to look beyond the situation and separate the identity from the situation.
The situation is forever temporary but who you are as a person is more permanent and evolving.
Where Your Fear is, There is your Task – Carl Jung
I am who I choose to become
The quote is inspirational because it helps you think beyond these limitations. We will always have circumstances that will hold us back and make us feel weak. But these are nothing but mere challenges. You’ll have to question- what is bigger – the challenge itself or your resolve to get what you want.
This process will ask you to become something more and do something more as well. It is a constant process of evolution and growth. None of us will ever be perfect and that’s the right way to go, isn’t it? If we were already perfect – what’s the point in life?
The beauty of this quote – I am not what happened to me is that it constantly looks within to find your source of energy and passion. It will carve a path for you to get what you truly deserve and desire. Everything else is a mere process to get to the ultimate goal
Your choice defines your life
The beauty of this quote lies in the choice where we get to decide. This choice implies that we decide to focus on what we want instead of sulking about something not working out for us. We all do this. The first response from our mind is of self-pity and then self-blame. Lot of us are lost in this whole blame, shame cycle and not able to come out of it.
But true change happens when we realise that there’s something beyond this blame and shame cycle. It is about who you are as a person and that’s much bigger than what the circumstance is telling you to be. Unless you tap into this magical source, life will always sound be limiting and without any joy. We’ve got to make the tough decision to take charge and move forward. That’s the moment when something magical opens with a hope to change things forever.
“I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.”
Carl Jung
References: https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/38285.C_G_Jung