Have you ever been a victim of a violent crime? Thankfully, I have not. But I have heard so many stories of those who have been attacked, robbed, assaulted, or hurt, and some of those stories have been from very good friends of mine.

What’s interesting to me is how many of these people who have been victims share a very similar thought…the idea that they never thought these terrible things would happen to them. That’s a mindset that is easy to adopt. We want to think that we’re safe. We want to believe that our work places, our communities, our neighborhoods, and even our own homes are places where we can feel protected. But this isn’t always the case. And, sadly, this line of thinking—that it will never happen to me—is quite dangerous.

Of course, we do not need to go through our lives peering around every corner, worried about every glance from a stranger. But we do need to take precautions. We need to be prepared and pay attention. We need to listen to those gut instincts that may be telling us that something is not right. But, most importantly, we need to consciously make the decision—right here and now—that we will NOT be victims. That we will stand strong. That we will not be taken advantage of or hurt. That we will fight, if necessary. And that we will stop the threat.

If you can make this important decision and address these kinds of issues now, then you will be better prepared if anything bad ever happens. So be positive, and think positively. Pattern your thoughts like the millions of athletes, performers, and presenters who plan out and practice their routines, plays, or speeches in advance, the ones who see themselves being victorious, accomplishing great things, or coming out ahead in their minds. While we may not be able to plan for every scenario or situation, we can make the decision to have the right mindset. We can choose to never give up. And we can remind ourselves to never be a victim.

Share Your True Stories

If something has happened to you or to a loved one, you are more than welcome to join us on the USCCA Women’s Community Page and share your thoughts and your voice. Go to the “True Stories” section. This is where we can all come together with ideas and encouragement for living in Condition Yellow. This is where we can face challenges…and overcome them.

As Greek philosopher Epictetus stated, “Nothing truly stops you. Nothing truly holds you back. For your own will is always within your control. Sickness may challenge your body. But are you merely your body? Lameness may impede your legs. But you are not merely your legs. Your will is bigger than your legs. Your will needn’t be affected by an incident unless you let it.”

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