Taking What's Yours

When you are presented with something justifiably yours, an overwhelming sense of entitlement compels you to extend your hand. This, despite any thought of whether you want it or not, whether it is in your best interest or not.

This is especially true when you are wronged.

Justified anger, self-righteous indignation, recriminations-- it's yours for the taking. Fully deserved, no doubt.

You earned it! You fear that if you leave this right unexercised, it will leave you the sucker, wronged even further.

The emotions can be claimed clear and pure, one more drink at the end of a hard worked day-- no one can argue it should not be yours. So you scoop it up, revel in it; letting go would relinquish your rightful property.

Yet inevitably the indulgence leaves you worse off. The need to claim your property and protect it, creates a dependence, a prison.

But can you step from the gluttony that is your right, without having to abandon the idea that the right exists? Can you move past the dessert tray and to better health? Can you eschew the spoils of war for a better peace?

Can you be free of your right to anger without giving up that right? Can you overcome the tyranny of ownership and move past-- less encumbered, happier?

I want to.