Reimagining Ownership
Growing up in a place where I seen people who look like me not own much at all, it made me think of a world, or at least a nation, where ownership of property, even one’s own identity, could be the norm. Ownership is important, it is the key to freedom. The path to owning the life you want is a very rough road. But, can you imagine a world where who you are is owned by your vision, from day one. Your dreams, your goals, your thoughts owned by YOU!
Gaining ownership of the life a person could want is an accomplishment in itself. Owning where you live, who you are and where you would like your life to go can be the difference between living someone else’s lifestyle and living the lifestyle you were born to obtain.
Ownership of our individual identities, as well of that of our predicament (family, culture, ancestral history, tribe, community) can lead us to more effectively honor ‘who we are’, and more importantly, give us the permission to have some control of ‘who we want to become’. ‘Who we are’ is both static and dynamic, fixed and ever-changing. For us, as individuals, and for us as collective units.
How many of your actions do you actually choose? How many of your reactions are mere responses to what is happening around you? Within your friends circle? Your family? Your culture? What would it look like if you were always honest, and doing what you really want to do? Would you still be working the same job? Living in the same house?
We are creatures of habit, and products of our environment. If we change our habits, would our environment change? As individuals? And Communities? Reflect on what you have now, both inside and out. Now imagine that you are going to travel into the future, let’s say, 200 years from now. What, that you currently own (material and non-material), would you take with you? What would you leave behind?
Lead Author: Ed Blackshear (first 2 paragraphs)
Ed was born and raised in Utica, NY and is currently residing in Liverpool, NY. Ed is a father, husband, electrical lab technician and entrepreneur. He is the owner of C.R.E.A.M. Team Properties, which is a real estate investing firm. C.R.E.A.M stands for Creatively Rebuilding Everything Around Me and the vision is to rebuild communities one house at a time.
Ed is also one-half of the ‘2 Brothers Point of View’ podcast and the curator of the ‘Sunday Sound Off’ Youtube series. Both projects aim to increase ownership and spread inspiration.
Anchor Author: Daniel Rudolph
Daniel Rudolph is interested in exploring alternative, experiential learning opportunities for people of all ages. He is passionate about forming community, and building public spaces for meaningful, transformational gathering. Currently he is spending a lot of his time learning juggling and facilitating gatherings. He also enjoys writing and sharing poetry. Daniel is a very curious and playful person and is always open for creative collaborations.
