Is being victim optional?

I was reading online about a teen in Massachusets, Phoebe Prince, having committed suicide because she couldnt put up with bullying in her high school. While my sympathies are with the teen's family and I feel deeply for the torments she had to endure, I find myself unwilling to buy into the victim/perpetrator news sensationalism that the media is forcing upon the masses. First, we are not victims until we allow ourselves to be. Its hard to break free of social conditioning and know that we are in total control of how we choose to feel. It maybe easier for our kids to learn how than for us to unlearn and re-learn.
But if we could, what can be done? What are some aspects of social conditioning, we can avoid inadvertently passing along to our kids?
1. Scriptures, religion, society, peers all influence us - but they should take second place to following your heart or intuition. If the whole world wants to do something and there is a nagging feeling urging you to reconsider, its important for the adult to follow his heart and to teach the child by example.
2. Do things you love to do. Happiness, passion are all infectious. If your child sees you utterly enjoying what you do, the child is more likely to choose projects that bring out his creative juices and make him/her the best in what he chooses.
3. Avoid the word sacrifice. Sacrifice means that there is something lost from self, for someone else to gain something. My heart cannot agree that happiness for someone else could come from sadness. It just doesnt add up.
4. No matter what the situation, reach for the best thought. Where there is anger, look for peace, where there is worry, look for relief, where there is happiness look for exhilaration. Look for a spring board to the next level of feeling good.
5.Failures are ok. I was proud to be a perfectionist for too long. I realize the futility of that exercise now. Being free to fail, gives you the liberty to reach heights you wouldnt otherwise attempt to scale. Also, occasional failures makes us human and makes us appreciate and embrace efforts along with results.

In short, I believe that if the parent can find a way to lead a happy life, there is a better chance for a happy infant, toddler, tween, teen and an overall happy son/daughter. Any comments/other suggestions?