A woman who had come to me for spiritual mentoring must have thought I'd gone a bit batty when I smiled like the Cheshire Cat and congratulated her on the painful relationship she was in.

I told her she could celebrate her predicament because there was power hidden in it.

One of the things I like best about my job is that when people tell me about the problems they are going through, I can often use their issues as a launching pad to help them blast out of the problem and into the orbit of the solution.

Years ago I realized that my job is not to fix or remedy people's problems but rather to help each person see just how amazingly creative and powerful they are on their own.

When they can reframe their perspective of the problem and begin to see it as a demonstration of their ability to use, or perhaps misuse, their creative power, they can then choose to use that same power to create something else.

The only catch is, they need to take ownership of the problem first; it's called waking up and being fully conscious.

They must release the role of victim, because victims are powerless.

This is not to say that we are always the initiating cause of our own problems, but make no mistake about it, we are always the decision-maker when it comes to how we react (or respond) to them.

The moment we accept ownership of the problem, we have stepped out of that problem and into the solution.

In that holy instant when we cease reacting and start responding, when we consciously stop allowing problems to make our decisions for us, we are lifted to a new perspective where we see things as steppingstones, not obstacles, as opportunities to grow and evolve, rather than as stumbling blocks.

As Lee Iacocca wrote, "We are continually faced by great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems."

Is it possible to see every problem as an opportunity?

It's not only possible, it's mandatory if we are to truly be the captain of our own vessel through this marvelous journey called life.

As a mindfulness practice, consider what problem may loom today that you can use as a launching pad to lift you out of the problem and into the orbit of a new solution.

It will require you to be awake and to live consciously. Decide now, before the next problem shows up (and it will if you are alive), that you will perceive it as another steppingstone to empowerment and a life worth living.

In the face of every problem, breathe and say to it, "Thank you for being in my life. You are a testimony to my creative power . . . now watch me transform you into a blessing."

Dennis Merritt Jones is a local spiritual mentor, keynote speaker and author of the book "The Art of Being: 101 Ways to Practice Purpose in Your Life." Contact him at www.DennisMerrittJones.com.