There are many instances where the concept of choice is not applicable - your childhood experiences, random events- things that happen to us, etc.

So the point of this this philosophy isn't to blame victims at all. It acknowledges that bad things happen that are out of our control. But where people do have control is how they choose to live their lives in spite of (or because of) the things that have happened. For many people this part can be empowering - taking control away from the events or people that may have hurt us and putting it into our own hands. I think it can be very freeing to not feel like a victim of circumstance. It also explains how different people can have such varied reactions to the stressful events - why some seem to be more resiliant than others. CBT is based on this concept, but unfortunately if the message is delivered the wrong way, it comes across as dismissive and simplistic instead of empowering.