Have you ever thought of yourself as a creator?

Or the recipient of what others have created?

Or — maybe even more puzzling — the one who neither creates nor receives?

The other day, as I was traveling back from D.C., I took the more scenic route through western Loudoun County. I let the GPS sit silent and just followed the road, feeling the soft rise of the mountains in the distance and the lush greenery that wrapped around me like a blanket.

There’s something humbling about that stretch of land — the way nature just is, whether we’re paying attention or not. Whether we’re there or not.

As I sipped my coffee (okay, let’s be real — my much-needed caffeine fix to keep me alert for the drive home), I had this moment of complete awareness: I am the recipient of so much creation.

The land, the road beneath my tires, the car that carried me, the drink in my hand, none of it just magically appeared. Every piece of it, natural or man-made, was brought into existence by something or someone. And here I was, blessed enough to experience it, to have it.

I felt grateful. Not just for the beauty around me or the simple conveniences that made my life easier, but for the bigger things, too.

For the life I get to live.

For the two worlds I get to call home: the one I grew up in and the one I chose for myself.

For the people who don’t just need me, but want me in their lives.

But then another thought slipped in and it stuck.

I’m not just a recipient.

I’m part of the creation of my life, too.

Which means I’m also accountable for it.

Now, that word — accountable — it’s heavy and often misrepresented.

We usually only hear it in a negative context. Someone messes up and they’re told to “be accountable.” Someone fails and we ask, “Where’s the accountability?”

But what about all the things we do right?

We don’t talk about accountability when it comes to our wins.

We don’t hold ourselves accountable for the good we create.

We don’t stand in it, own it and let it shape our core.

Crazy, right?

Maybe that’s one of the reasons impostor syndrome feels so prevalent.

We’re so quick to dismiss the good we’ve created, so reluctant to recognize that we are worthy of the blessings we experience.

The small blessings and the big. Heck, even what would construe as mundane is a blessing.

Both ends of that spectrum are missing something real. Something grounding. Something essential.

The truth is, we are constantly creating.

And we are constantly receiving.

And we are constantly choosing how we own it, how we live with it and how we carry it forward.

Today, I’m choosing to hold myself accountable for the good.

To recognize the love, the home, the life that I’ve helped build, and to be grateful for it.

Not in a prideful way, but in a humble, honest, heart-full way.

Maybe you needed that reminder, too.

Maybe you’re overdue to take a little accountability for the beauty you’ve created.

Maybe you need to stand in the goodness you’ve built and say — this is mine and it’s good.

Mother, author, entrepreneur and founder of Dandelion-Inc, Lisa Resnick wants to hear your story. Share memories with her by emailing lisa@dandelion-inc.com.