Here is a lesson in life. This is a great lesson for you to learn. It is a basic lesson. For a long time, you have not absorbed this lesson. You have flouted it, or ego has flouted it for you. Here is the message to uphold:

You don’t have to stick up for yourself.

In the world, as you imagine it, life demands that you stick up for yourself. It demands that you joust with words, for, as it seems to you, no one has the right to overlook you or insult you or demean you in any way.

You presuppose that what someone says or doesn’t say has the power to demean you. You may be quick to give away your own God-given power.

You may say to yourself: “This time I will stick up for myself.”

When you stick up for yourself, you think you are saying: “You must not affront me. You have no right to affront me.” Just so, you have given the seeming other the right. You just handed it to him as you say, “Look, you have affronted me.”

I don’t tell you to be a mouse. I am telling you that it is a mouse that squeaks. The seeming other does not have to get a rise out of you. You do not have to give away your sacred power. You do not have to give your sacred power over to anyone. Even if you are in prison, you can keep your Power to yourself in Silence.

Do you fear that being silent is acquiescing? Being silent holds a great deal of power. Or, you can respond, “Of course.” Okay means: “Okay, let’s go on with life.”

Isn’t this what it is done in karate? Your so-called opponent can’t get the better of you when you don’t resist? You get the best of yourself. How you want power. Of course, you do not have to succumb to powerlessness in the world. You have the power not to react. You don’t have to be anyone’s yo-yo.

Keeping silent is a great resource. It is at your disposal.

You are not fighting for your life. Being overwhelmingly sensitive is ego, beloveds.

If you have by chance considered yourself as a punching bag in life, reconsider. Or left out, or denied, or belittled.

You are not to be a victim. A victim is not an either/or thing. It is not: You are a victim, or you are not a victim. Your choosing not to be a victim goes further than hitting back. Think carefully. Maybe you like to be a victim. Maybe you like to be outraged. Maybe you are looking for a fight, and the so-called victimizer is giving you what you want. What are your motives, beloveds? What makes you tick? What sign do you wear on your back? What do you want? What signals do you put out?

If you don’t want to play the role of a victim, don’t play it. Even when you may have painted yourself into a corner, you can get out of it. Whatever role you may play, you can get out of it. You don’t change roles with bluster. You do it with awareness. When you awake, you also give those near you a chance to awake as well.

You may have thought that you are bouncing off another. The possibility is that a bully is bouncing off you. If this is the case, now you do know the silent power you have. Silent power is silent power. Unspoken power is power just the same. If you have gotten yourself into a fix, you can get out of it.

I will go so far as to say there are no victims in the world, only those who choose to play the role. If this is the role you have been playing, change roles now. There are other roles than victim or victimizer. There are many other and better roles to play. Choose the role you play in the world for yourself.