Ownership empowers us to act – to use our various skills to make plans, tackle a hurtful situation, or right a wrong. People who “own” their problems are people who can take initiative. The jobless man goes on executive search interviews. The unhappy wife seeks help, whether or not her husband is interested. Ownership also gives us freedom. You are no longer a slave to this past, to false hope, to wishing someone would change, or to discourage and passivity. You are free to try out answers, take risks and take steps.