Ownership

In my career, I have seen people come and people go. Their achievements were dependent on how much ownership they were willing to take to make themselves successful.

For years I sat on the sideline wishing I was one of them, wanting desperately to be someone, to be somebody. The one true constant I recognized in all of these individuals was that they all took ownership of their destinies. They were in the driver’s seat of their lives and they made things happen for themselves. They were leaders.

I always thought I was happy being the support person. The one behind the scenes, doing the dirty work, making everything happen for the benefit of the whole. Secretly, I had hoped and prayed that someone would see the value of my contributions and recognize the fact that I was just a leader waiting in the wings. Somehow…that never happened completely. I continued to stand on the sidelines, wishing it was me; but on occasion, I did own the night, singing and dancing.



Over the years, my love for music and dance has helped to inspire me to achieve some success. Although, I have found that when I was not in control, when I didn’t accept the responsibility to make things happen, or when I failed to take ownership for my actions, I literally gave up the rights to my own life. The music died, the stage went dark, and the I couldn't bring myself out of the wings to dance in the spotlight.

Now, coming out of the whirling vortex that has been my world for the last couple of years, it finally hit me like a ton a bricks what I had done to myself. On the one hand I was bitterly disappointed, but on the other, I just made an astounding revelation.

They say that with age comes wisdom. But why does it have to hurt so darn much in order to gain that knowledge? I know I have made some mistakes. I can accept the fact that I made a judgment in error once. It was because I was naïve. The second time, well, maybe it was because I was trying to give the benefit of the doubt. But after a third time, it is my own fault because I chose to believe in the goodness of others.

I am not that same person anymore. I am done. I’m finished with letting others have control over me. I’m finished with letting others attempt to make things happen only for themselves and leaving me in the dust. And I am totally finished with letting others use my actions for their own personal gain. Finished. I am F-I-N-I-S-H-E-D!

I’m back in the driver’s seat and taking ownership of my life. I will be in control of my own destiny. I will be responsible for making things happen. And, I will make darn sure everything that whatever I do from this point forward will be a positive action to fulfill my needs, wants, desires and dreams.

This is my life.This is my new and improved life!



Thanks to all my writing friends for your support and encouragement! You have given me the strength to find my voice to sing and dance again. For this, I will truly be grateful to all of you!



***I have written this piece for a group on Facebook that I joined, GBE 2: Blog On. This is week #23 and the topic is Ownership. Interested in more...click on the picture below to take you there.