Access Granted

The term “access granted” can mean many things, from being a signal that you have entered the correct gate code to getting a behind-the-scenes look at how music videos are created. Symbolically, it might mean that a door has been opened, but both figuratively and literally, it can mean much, much more.

Certainly for the disabled, access and accessibility provide independence and freedom to places and things, to sidewalks and education that might not otherwise be available. For citizens of the world, access means a passport to new lands and to new old lands. In Willy Wonka, Charlie’s golden ticket gave him access to a world of confectionery magic.

What is it that all of these access seekers have in common? What is it that they get when they are granted access? Choice – they get the opportunity to choose. When barriers are removed, “Berlinian” walls taken down, golden tickets pulled from chocolate bar wrappers – when we are granted access, we are granted choice – the choice to move freely, to travel anywhere, and to find wonderment.

So what’s the catch? There must be some tradeoff for having a door opened for us, for being granted access that we want and likely feel that we deserve. What do we have to sacrifice to get access? Well, “the catch” is responsibility; responsibility first to walk through the open door and to own our choice to walk through it; responsibility to take care of, maintain, and make better, that to which we have been granted access; responsibility to ensure access to others. Although we don’t have to sacrifice anything since we give from abundance, not sacrifice – remember?

What does this responsibility look like? It’s acknowledging that we have made a choice. It’s being grateful for the opportunity to exercise that choice. It means cleaning up after ourselves and cleaning up after one other person too. It means holding the door open for the person behind you, and providing a welcoming environment. Sometimes we have to grant ourselves access or give ourselves permission – to have or do anything we want or need – and that’s our responsibility. Don’t assume that you have access. Don’t assume you don’t deserve it. Do assume that you have responsibility. Do get access if you don’t have it. Be grateful.

Go find your golden ticket and step into a world of pure imagination.