Owning It

It had been quite a process we had participated in that weekend at the Quaker Meeting House in suburban Philadelphia. People of all faiths had come together for what had been termed “The Essential Experience” by the crafter of a process that was to uncover those things which inhibit an individual from fulfilling one’s purpose. Although emotions were often shared by multiples of participants, the experiences underpinning those emotions were as varied as the individuals themselves. In the midst of one of the culminating exercises I became acutely aware of the need to “own” all that had happened in my life; the good, the bad, and the in between. Even that which may seem beyond my control had an element of my decision making election. There was a bit of irony in that the more I “owned” the decisions that I had made that placed me in the position to experience positive or negative outcomes, the more freedom from the impact of those outcomes I experienced. There was an element of victory that arose from the shaken off ashes of victim midst the recognition of participant that became apparent. As I reflect today, I recognize the value of “owning” decisions relating to the diagnosis termed Parkinson’s disease. I may or may not have taken actions that brought it on, but I have choices each day that render me victim or victor. I am grateful that I now choose to be victorious over the puddle of self pity in which it would be so easy to wallow. Today’s choices arise from the well of knowledge that they are the source of tomorrow’s experiences.