Who do you blame for the problems in your life? Is it your boss, your spouse, your parents, your child, your sibling, your in-laws or some other person? Is it a teacher who didn't give you the praise you wanted, the first person who broke your heart, the elected officials whom you blame for the economic situtation, or manufacturers who dump toxic waste into the oceans or cause huge oil spills. 

Whomever or whatever you give the label as being the source of your problems, you're also giving the power to control your life. You're reacting to their behavior and letting it ruin the quality of your life. In other words, you're feeling stressed or unhappy and they have no idea of the impact they had on your life, either intentionally or unintentially. They've let got of their attachment to the situation and you're still holding on to negative thoughts and feelings about what happened. You've probably even replayed the event over and over and over again in your head, hoping for a different outcome.

Reclaim your power. Take responsibility for your own life and you'll feel stronger, more courageous and capable of creating positive changes in your life.  Do this by consciously deciding when and how to behave in a situation instead of responding as if you're on auto-pilot. The process starts by slowing down and becoming aware of wha's going on in your mind or body. Then take action.
 
If you had a problem with your boss this morning, keep it at the office. Don't bring it home with you and obsess about it when you could be focusing on something else – something that would promote your self-growth or just increase your sense of happiness. If you didn't have the kind of childhood you would have preferred, let it go. It's over. Why let what happened years ago when you had no control over conditions in your life color the way you see your life now? If the collapse of the housing market means your home is worth less, accept it and move forward on your pathway to joy. It's happened. The situation is  not going to be undone no matter how much energy you put into worrying about it or how tied up in knots you feel.

Reclaiming your power is easier than you think. It's as simple as stopping the obsessive thought as soon as you recognize it and replacing it with another thought of your own choosing. You can say something as simple as "I choose a peaceful thought instead of this" or "I choose to remain calm" or "I can handle this" or "This too shall pass." 

Ultimately, it's up to YOU to decide who's going to control the quality of your life. You’re only a victim as long as you believe you’re a victim. Change your belief and your life will change. It will cause ripples in the pond of life but it will also improve your self-confidence, increase your sense of self-worth and lead you to a whole new world of wonderful new possibilities. Reclaim your power and you’re also reclaiming your hopes, dreams, wishes, and you gain a feeling of confidence and self-worth. Go for it!