Take your power back! The few steps outlined below will start you on the path to liberation and show you how to live your life in new ways.

Acceptance: This is the first important lesson to living an empowered life. Living in the past does not allow us to move forward. Let go of futile things like regret. We don't always have to like what happened, or what others have done that is harmful, but dwelling on things only keeps us stuck, and ultimately hurts us more than the original transgression anyway. Accept what has come before, that is the first step to finding peace.

Secondly, Forgiveness. We don't have to "forget" to forgive, but in the act of forgiveness we say "I am not going to allow this person or this situation to have power over the rest of my life". When we make a conscious decision to forgive, we allow ourselves to move forward with a new sense of freedom.

Finally, Release. Once we have accepted the person/situation and made a conscious decision to forgive ourselves/others etc. we are free to release that burden from our soul. In release, comes the ability to rebuild and start fresh.

Once you have worked on these steps, it is important to keep the ball rolling. Accountability is the final lesson for leading an empowered life. Stop being a victim, stop blaming others. Take ownership of your own life. You are in control of your destiny based on your choices/actions. You cannot control the actions of others, but you can choose your own thoughts/beliefs/actions etc. Recognition of this fact allows the individual to feel more in control of his/her own destiny as opposed to feeling victimized by circumstance.

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Christin Snyder is a freelance writer whose passion is encouraging self-sufficiency in others. Visit her websites for a variety of resources to fuel the spirit. www.dailypowerwords.com and www.spiritualguidancetarot.com