Think about that, in regards to yourself or from the eyes of your child. External role models that you don’t know personally are not meaningless – consciously, unconsciously, & subconsciously – these people have tremendous influence over your life. That is why it is critical to put one’s energies toward people who are “victors” & not “victims”. Defining precisely who is a victim and who is a victor can be a lengthy discussion in some cases, but it can also be a simple discussion too. Victors do not have to be people who have not been victimized in their past or perhaps are not going through adversity either. A couple unconventional victors are Viktor Frankl and Kobe Bryant. Frankl on the outside may appear a “victim” due to having suffered in concentration camps, but his MINDSET was that of a victor – finding meaning through his suffering, maintaining hope, and psychologically striving to overcome. Kobe was a victim in his helicopter crash, but his life embodied a “victor” mentality – never making excuses for himself, and always striving to become great. Maintaining a victor mindset is so valuable, and is strengthened by looking up to people who embodied a victor mindset in their life (if they are dead) or people who embody a victor mindset currently. So next time you encourage your children or yourself to look up to particular individuals, take note if they are a victim or a victor.