Looking for advice on finding your own way

What was suppose to be a normal year clearly is going to be anything but. I returned from Christmas vacation to find myself smack dab in the middle of a surprise merger. So I have begun contemplating my fate, as it were, and my future in the IT field. I have worked in the IT field for over 15 years now. I have been a web designer, web developer, a programmer, and a systems administrator. Despite all this I find myself coming back to a central issue. My livelihood is always in someone else's hands. And I find myself wondering if (and how) I could strike out on my own and be my own man so to speak. My question is what should I be reading and or looking at before contemplating such a move? I am not saying that I am going to jump ship today. I will probably continue to work here until this reaches whatever conclusion (good or bad) it is headed towards. I am really just tired of putting my future and the things that are important to me in the hands other parties. I want to know if I can find a way to work independently of that. Any suggestions on reading materials, articles, or personal experiences would be welcomed. I am sure this has probably been asked before so forgive me if I am breaking etiquette or something. The worry, fear, anxiety, anger and lack of sleep are getting to me.