For a society that’s so advanced in so many ways, we’re still in the dark ages emotionally and mentally.

Just because we can fly to the Moon or take pictures of Mars doesn’t mean that we’re truly advanced. If you look closely, many of us are stressed, depressed, sleep deprived, and worst of all, accepting that having a grey cloud of dissatisfaction with pretty much everything is normal, just part of life. We don’t even have time for love — we’re too busy working, struggling, absorbing information to even see the people beside us.

Our minds have been influenced for centuries by powerful cultural beliefs and institutions that pit us against each other individually, among different races, cultures, and gender identities. We’ve gotten to a point where we think that conflict is inevitable, and worst of all?

We’ve fallen into the victim game.

How many times have you heard someone blame their problems or actions on their parents, their upbringing, the economy, global warming, the system … anything but themselves? And I understand how tempting that can be. But the truth is, when you blame external things for how you feel or react, then you’re giving up your power. You end up creating the very system of powerlessness, frustration, and victimhood that you were complaining about in the first place!

But guess what? You can take back your power any time you want.

I want you to take a minute to think about just what an incredible thing that is. That no matter what has happened to you before, no matter what you’ve done in the past, and no matter what happens in the world around you, you are 100%, totally and completely in control of how you experience what happens next.

Why? Because you are in control of your response to whatever comes your way. And that makes all the difference, not only in your life, but in the world as a whole.

When you rise, we all rise.

Ultimately, we are all one. And that’s not just some sort of Eastern mythology, woo woo thing — it’s true on a biological level. When you take responsibility for your life and step back into your power, you’re not just doing it for yourself. You contribute to the betterment of humanity as a whole!

That’s why it’s so important that you step outside of your habitual, comfort zone victimhood and expand your awareness. Once you wake up and rise above the limitations of blaming and shaming, something amazing happens. Not only do you feel better and have a better life, you start to wake others up too. One person at a time, one tiny, precious epiphany at a time, we can heal the world.

A change that echoes through history and humanity can all start with you. So the only question is … are you finally going to take on the sacred responsibility of stepping into your own power?