I am an owner.

Do I want to rent or do I want to own? That's been a huge question running through my mind the past few months....and not in the terms you're probably thinking of.

My senior year of high school I attended a conference in Atlanta through a class I was taking. One of the days we listened to a guest speaker. A man, most likely in his early thirties, speaking to us about the way we choose to live our life. He articulated the importance of owning life instead of renting it. For example, if you see trash on the street, don't just walk by it and let "the landlord" pick it up...own it and do it yourself. At the time, I knew his words were wise, but I wasn't capable of owning my life.

Many years passed and I continued to rent. I continued to expect "the landlord" take care of the big stuff while I partied, and lived recklessly.

Lately, however, I've discovered a strong urge to own my life. To own my decisions without guilt. To truly live by the golden rule, and to treat others as I would want to be treated. I hope to god that little man picks up on the same morals (but who am I kidding? It took me a good 25+ years to realize the importance of this...I won't start holding my breath for him anytime soon..hehe).

From this day forward, I am declaring myself a proud owner of my own life. An owner of my destiny. The sole possessor of my happiness. I couldn't be more excited! (especially because owning this particular thing doesn't entail paying a mortgage...at least not yet!)