I often ponder this, the idea that the very fact that we exist gives us the right to this existence. Because we are here, we must have a right to be here, to express the individuality that we are. We don’t have to justify it or apologize for the space we take up; we are here and our presence says that we should be. It may not sound very earth shaking or deep, but what if we knew this about ourselves and about everyone else?

We live in a time and place where, in a day-to-day way, we are free to have our own world view, and for us in this place and time, it is generally safe to share and debate it. As we know, this is not true everywhere on the globe even now. Throughout history, those in power have taken it upon themselves to define reality or truth and have tormented, imprisoned, and even killed those who dared express disagreement. Can you really feature that? Can you imagine living in a world where if they say it’s red, it’s red, even if it’s blue? Those in charge are rarely the most cutting edge or insightful thinkers. Over and over again we’ve seen this played out as the evolution of understanding in religion, medicine, science, and technology removed prevailing ideas and replaced them with new ones. In the meantime, accusations of heresy inflicted suffering on those whose thinking was ahead of their time.

When you think about it, no one knows what the truth is. Our religious and cultural beliefs, lovely or limiting as they can be, are just that—beliefs. Your idea of how it is can be just as valid as any one else’s. Lots of folks holding a common idea, while giving it weight, does not render it true. We owe it to ourselves to determine what we believe to be authentic, and not be lulled or threatened into adopting and parroting prevailing societal beliefs, habits, behaviors, or customs.

Through most of history, those at the top lived well because they exploited those they viewed as beneath them. They felt that God had given them the right to extract the energy of the many and use it for their own good. For the most part, all those involved believed this was OK; they bought the idea that some were more worthy than others due to birth, skin color, nationality, or bank account. It’s still going on. Slavery exists and sweat shops continue to crank out cheap goods. Even here in the U.S. workers do not get their fair share of the wealth they help generate, as the biggest percentage of it goes into the pockets of a very few at the top. Isn’t it time we realize our worth and that no one owns or has the right to anyone else’s energy?

Not only are we are here and have that right, we have within us the personal power and tools needed to thrive here. That gives us the challenge and responsibility to play the leading role in our own lives. Many don’t. Fear, guilt, and insecurity drive many of us into the shadows, contenting ourselves with existences a fraction as vibrant as we deserve. Others of us limit ourselves to playing supporting roles in the lives of others. Because we don’t really appreciate our intrinsic worth, we get lost in the lives of those we perceive to be more powerful or more worthy.

We find ourselves here, in this place of tremendous possibility, with the assurance that we are meant to be here, and that we have not just the right but the responsibility to create a life uniquely ours. The tools we need are readily available to us, and we possess the talents needed to utilize them. We are called upon to get on it, and to give others the space and encouragement they need to do the same.