Were you deemed the 'black sheep' of the family - the problem child who caused so much upheaval? Perhaps this label even stuck with you all the way into adulthood. But what if you actually never were? What if you were just responding to your environment? What if in truth, you were simply tagged the scapegoat?
Scapegoating often involves singling out a family member, typically the truth-teller, and pegging them as the source of all that's wrong within the home. Usually the most sensitive, unhappy, vulnerable and outspoken ones are chosen.
In other words, a scapegoat is typically the strongest and most candid; the 'troublemaker' who stands up; the one who refuses to look content or stay tight-lipped in unbearable surroundings. The one who doesn't actually cause the problem but who sees it, protests it and exposes it.
Being a scapegoat is said to be one of the most challenging life experiences to encounter and overcome, for there are layers of emotions to unravel and contend with.
Once that inner-work is accomplished however, the liberation is like no other. You begin to realize you entered this world as a badass nonconforming rebel and being tagged the scapegoat only helped to hone those skills further. Skills that will undoubtedly come in handy throughout your life.
So to all my fellow badass scapegoat rebels out there - a deep bow to you, baby!