- Eckhart Tolle, Author of The Power of Now

We live in a world of limitless change. I still remember when we got our first color TV, how thrilled we were to be watching movies in our own home in living color. I am an amateur photographer who has come happily bounding into the new age of digital photography. Using a film camera is no longer an option for me. I just can't wait to have film developed to see my creations.

All of the changes can make us feel like we are out of control. Our lives keep moving along day-to-day and "stuff" happens - whether we want it to or not... It would seem all this talk about creating your own reality is just that, "talk". But when I look back over my life, I can see that most of what I've wanted has come to pass.

* I live in the mountains.

* I work out of my beautiful, new home.

* I'm self employed. No boss to control what I do and when I do it.

* I have a wonderful marriage that many people would envy.

* All of my family is healthy and happy - all three children and eight grandchildren.

I remember years ago sitting in my office at AT&T dreaming about working at home and being free. I never could have foreseen how it would all come to pass - but it did. Maybe we do have control over our lives!

This is what I've learned from my journey through life, so far.

Whatever you want your life to look like - own it. If you own it and believe in it, you will most likely be living it - eventually. How far away is eventually? That depends on how willing you are to own what you want and use the universal principles that bring it into your life faster - front and center.

Your power to live the life you want is positioned, ready, and waiting to be fully utilized; and no one else can use that power, just you. But there's one catch. You have to let go of the notion that someone else has control of your destiny. No one - not your boss, your mother, your spouse, your friends, your advisors - no one but you can steer your life towards your dreams and goals.

So, own it. Own your life. Whatever you are going through - own it and be the best you can be throughout the experience. Others will see you and be motivated by your shining example to take control of the steering wheel of your life.

While you're in the process of learning how to own your life, it helps to let go of your preconceived notions about how the details of your life should turn out. Letting go does not mean you're giving up control. Instead it means you're taking control.

When you own your life, you refuse to give your power away to outside influences. You're living life based on your inner knowing, which points you to what serves you best in all circumstances. You're learning to listen to you.

Some may call this a selfish way of living. I call it living by your soul's navigation. If we all lived by our soul's navigation, there would be no need for condemnation, criticism, judgment, or fear, because your soul is your connection to the only Source who knows the bigger picture, the higher perspective of all of life.

As we learn to claim our power, we also learn to release unrealistic expectations that we have for others. We gift them with our trust and unconditional love and caring - just as they are. There is no longer a need to try to control other's lives so that they can fulfill our own. What a glorious life of unlimited possibilities it would be if we all lived by our soul's navigation, allowing ourselves and all others to be the best of who we are, and who we are yet to be.

Here are 3 steps to guide you as you learn to own your life.

1. Get clear on what you value. What's most important to you?

2. Decide what you're willing to give up to own what you value.

3. Decide what you're willing to do to bring what you value more fully into your life.

When you get clear on these 3 steps and own them, with integrity, you will be well on your way to creating the life you want. Not in 1 year, 5 years, or 10 years - but now.