I definitly believe that ownership is the key to happyness - that life no longer just happens to you but you gain into control.

While taking ownership is definitly a skill to master - infact it is also the first of the 'The 7 habits of highly effective people' by Stephen Covey

For me personally - the biggest challenge is not to take ownership for things that are not mine. While my sense of responsibility is helping at times - I noticed that that I quickly take over responsibilities from others and thereby deprive them of a learning opportunity. I did this at work but also with my kids (being a bit overprotective). Keeping a simple journal on this, reflecting and also to come back at this as it occured helped a great deal to change this for the better!

(p.s. I followed your advice and stopped the large delegation - taking ownership :) )