C is with me for the summer. He has a bit of weight to lose and so we have started the process of a program and education concerning exercise and diet. In the course of our conversation I mentioned that he needed to take ownership in this effort, to discipline himself in the choices before him.
Ownership is a word I've used for the last twenty years in business and I use it like second nature--perhaps even over use it. As soon as I said it, however, I could see the look on his face implied he had no idea what the heck the term meant, which made me think, what does it really mean. I explained to him the "surface" meaning, but deeper down the question brought up my philosophical side, surprise, surprise.
Here is what spilled out in my comments to Kel yesterday, which, by the way, is a blog worth the time to explore.
Do we really own anything? Can we really call anything ours? Do we really create anything? Or, perhaps just maybe, we manifest and/or allow to flow through our temporal self a greater force? I have thoughts, but do I originate them? Think about it. Do you originate a single thought? Or do they flow and we only guide them after they manifest?
This line of thought humbles me and keeps me grounded. Oh, and if I don't own anything, why do I horde so much? Why do I covet what was never mine and never will be mine? Do I miss the flow because I stand outside of it? Do I miss life because my ego is too busy taking credit for what was never mine to begin with?
I want to swim in that flow, I want to swim in Love, with the greater current. In the mood for a dip? :-)
This line of thought humbles me and keeps me grounded. Oh, and if I don't own anything, why do I horde so much? Why do I covet what was never mine and never will be mine? Do I miss the flow because I stand outside of it? Do I miss life because my ego is too busy taking credit for what was never mine to begin with?
I want to swim in that flow, I want to swim in Love, with the greater current. In the mood for a dip? :-)
28 comments:
I think that we own things just as much as we are in control - which is nada. And we don't realize it until we end up in a situation where we actually lose that control or the ownership over a situation or our own life. So no...you can't really own or control anything. That's nothing but an illusion.
Have a great weekend :D
Christa, I couldn't agree more. The most peace I've ever had in my life was when absolute pain forced me into a corner and said either let go or I will do you in. The moment I let go, the moment I stopped trying to control forces beyond my control, I felt an unbelievible sense of peace wash over me. Amazing how hard it is to let go of our illusions.
Have a great weekend yourself Christa. :-)
I lost my illusion of being in control over my own life when the cancer hit me. That was a real eye-opener...for a lot of reasons.
So yes, most of us live in the illusion that we can claim ownership over our own life, and others too for that matter. Love is a perfect example where it will vanish like pouring water if you try to take control.
It's just a shame you can't learn these things by reading about them :p
Interesting. I've never really gave that much thought. I do; however, agree.
I never thought one owned life, etc... but I do see ownship of material things - things you purchase. Like, I own my computer. LOL!
Jamie, I think my computer owns me! :-D
Christa, I've heard so many cancer survivors say exactly what you just said. I too wish there was a way to share what you know from first hand experience. Perhaps one day we will be able to learn in such a way. Until then, there is always the margarita machine. :-D
Sometimes when I walk through a store, and find myself tempted to buy some pretty thing, I ask this same question.
I have so many pretty things gathering dust or sitting in boxes.
Why do I need to own anything? Often, I am more excited about the prospect of ownership than I am in the thing itself.
So, I just stop, and admire, and move on, knowing I can come back later, and that I won't have to do the dusting!
As for ownership in the sense of self, well, thats a whole different post.
P.S.
Thanks for the spotlight Tree. I've been kind of bummed about lack of readership lately. But now I see that one good reader is blessing enough.
Peace,
Kelbell
Kel, funny you should say that. About three years ago I decided I had all the stuff I needed and that I was interested in getting rid of stuff rather than acquiring more. My wife, however, has not joined me in this endeavor--lol.
Kel, your blog deserves a wider readership and I hope a few more folks discover your place. Have a great weekend. :-)
Hello Luv,
A very glorious and dreamy fractal. Nice to get lost in.
Glad C is with you. Summer is good.
Ownership. Heavily on my mind.
I think I have come to the conclusion that less is more. Less overall clutter. Less holding on. Less believing I own.
Much more letting go. Much more "just being".
Lots of practice required, I think.
Hugs.
Hey Aggie, so good to see you. You know I always leave the light on for you and I miss you like crazy when I don't see you. I do so love your comments and perspective. You always make me smile with how honest and human you are. Maybe we can be clutterfree partners--hold each other accountable. Or hell, just hold each other would be okay with me. :-D
just hold each other would be okay with me
I am hung on the lyric of a song I heard today: "Hold me now I need relief, like I never wanted anything."
A comforting thought.
To be held, a wonderful thought. A return to oneness, me and you, together, one not two, a shared humanity, a shared burden, a shared breathe, a shared kiss, a shared destiny. What else is there?
...and now my mind spins off on "oneness". I suppose I can ponder the deeper philosophical meanings of all things just now. LOL (what was it I was thinking about oneness this morning??.....think think think....)
I suppose I will ponder those deep philosophical concepts in my sleep. ;)
Nitey nite and wonderful dreams hon.
Sweet dreams my dear. You know I can't get the idea of a sleeping bag, sans clothes, out of my mind. Of course, I could have worst things stuck in my mind. :-D
Gorgeous graphic, profound thoughts.
Perhaps you should talk more about taking responsibilty for the choices you make rather than "ownership"?? "Ownership" is not a bad thing if you use it to mean accept that the problem / issue is one that you will need to solve and putting it on other people "just won't cut it".
Just my opinion - your want is a zest for freedom of want. The more objects you obtain (from my own personal experience) the more you realize that it doesn't really change much of who you are, what you feel, what you strive to become. These objects do, however, help us to give those around us perceptions of who we want to be or even think we are. Ever REALLY notice how great it feels to clean out the closet and throw things away? We are throwing away images of ourselves we have given to others. We are throwing away tools we have purchased to help us on a path. If the path was wrong, out it goes. If it is a path we are still on, it stays. One we may want to explore again? Hold on to it a little longer. I find the more I grow, the less I need or "want" on a material level.
Peace............
beautiful frac and as always thought provoking words (and comments from all)
hope you have a great holiday weekend :0)
First, great fractal. I like it a lot, the design and colors are very pleasing. I found myself staring for quite some time.
'Ownership' is quite an interesting topic. On the surface, yes, it's about obtaining material things. Very basic, right? But, as others have pointed out, the material things grow less important as the years progress.
During the last few years with my employer, the concept of 'taking ownership' crept into the training programs. You could just substitute the word 'responsibility', that's what the idea really was. Instead of relying on and/or blaming others, people were encouraged to 'take ownership'. Did it work? I'm not sure.
But I do agree with the concept. I feel better as a person when I do my best, and do it on my own. As far as being in control, well I guess it's how you look at it. We don't have control over many things, that's very true. But we do have control over our own actions, and the way we treat other people. All too often, I see people blaming others for everything. It seems to be prevalent in our American society. But I won't go on about that right now.
Thanks for the great image, and super interesting topic.
Jenni, I think we are on the same page. When I use ownership I use it in the sense of taking full responsibility for oneself.
Have a great weekend and thanks for the kind words. :-)
Helen, your comments speak to my heart more than I know how to say. I want to sit at your feet around a campfire and just listen to you talk all night long. I hope that "want" is on the approved list. :-D
Have a weekend filled with peace, joy and wonder Helen. :-)
Trace, thanks for the kind words on the image and the post. Wishing you and yours a happy and safe holiday too. :-)
Deb, I've heard and used the term ownership in business over many years. I can't really say too many people who didn't bring that sense of responsibility to the table saw the light so to speak. Still, we either live our vision or we live someone elses. Now that is a phrase that has always hit home for me.
Glad to hear the move is about done. Sounds like you and Wontar are in a good place where the folks care and take quick action to be of service.
I do love to think, I can control everything, take care of everything and everyone - deep down I know the truth and I know when I am happiest. What an absolutely gorgeous fractal, I think, Aggie said dreamy, dreamy describes it perfectly - and, at the risk of repeating myself in a single visit, you my sweet have such a way with words, a direct simplicity, a clear line from there to here. How do I get one of those? ;)
So lovely for you that you have C for the summer! :-D Perhaps this means there will be a little more work done under the pier (hint hint) Hope so. :-)
Oh Sunshine, thanks for those kind and wonderful words. Feel free to repeat yourself as much as you like. Sugar like this never gets old! :-D
How can you get one of those? Well, I'm sure we can make the proper arrangements to get you up to speed. Let's just say your review of the concert is considered a down payment on tuition. :-)
Ownership is something that can crush you if you're not careful. After you own something it starts to lose appeal and you need to own something else (or just plain more).
I was working my tail off for years - not seeing my family as much as I should have - focusing on the wrong prize. Then while I was on the couch for a couple of months during my chemo, I realized that I was being motivated by the wrong things.
I'm still a recovering over achiever! (all healthy, btw)
Simplicity is a beautiful thing.
(That image reminds me of the 4th of July! Happy 4th!)
Happy 4th to you too Ann. This has been an interesting post for me in that I think we've got about six or seven different versions and different interpretations of what the term ownership means. I'm not about to try and step in and bring order--lol.
Because it's the 4th and I've having a beer or two, I wonder. Do I own the beer I'm drinking or am I'm just borrowing it for a while. I think there is a lesson in there somewhere but I think I'd rather just have another cold one tonight and leave the lessons for another time. :-D
All the best to you Ann and be safe this holiday.
I would be honored to sit at that fire.
Peace...............
So would I Helen. :-)
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