Bernadette's Vision

Yesterday I sat down with my Tax lady and prepared my 2011 taxes. Just the word Taxes makes me uncomfortable. Being self-employed guarantees I will owe money at the end of the year.

I was really proud of myself, as I am every year when I finish the spreadsheet with all of my expenses. But once I was with her, I became anxious. The amount I owe isn't really a surprise, I had already estimated accurately. Knowing that I have until April 18th to pay it however, created anxiety.

With the economic downturn, my business has definitely been adversely affected. Like everyone else, I've had to do more for less. I am however grateful for the many blessings self-employment affords me. Sometimes, my human side/ego blinds me to the miracles abundantly available to us.

So I came home a bit crabby, stressed and overwhelmed. My Dad asked how much I owed and I found myself snapping "I don't want to talk about it". In that instant I knew I needed to release my anxiety and anger. I began meditating on the knowing "there is enough in the universe for all of us". I listened to some affirmations and started visualizing all debts being paid in full with plenty of money left over.

Today, I woke up intent on having a positive day. I focused on the things I'm grateful for today and all the blessings I have around me and in my life. I slipped a few times, kicking myself for "knowing better" then to stress out. Then I balanced my checking account and somehow, I have enough money to pay my bills due this week. I chuckled, looked up and thanked the Universe for the blessings of always having enough.

Sometimes it's hard to overcome our human tendency to worry about tomorrow. It's not a big deal though, refocus and get back into the moment. Most of the time we realize that in this very moment, the worries we are carrying are not actualized in our reality. The more we focus on NOW the more power we have to create a better next moment, next day, next month and so on.

I'm human too, yes I should know better, I've been through more trying times and made it out just fine. I know many of you are faced with the same challenges. It's important we stay focused on what we have that we are grateful for and more will be added. As we love ourselves, one another and All That Is, we stand in the most powerful energy of creation, abundance and joy available.

So be thankful for the ability to pay your bills, even if it's 1 bill at a time. Be grateful for everything you see, feel and are blessed with. When times are tough and doubt creeps in, write out affirmations over and over! It really does wonders to shift your energy to a much higher place. Meditate and ask to see the opportunities to manifest your needs, desires and wishes.

Stay in the moment, the second you are in right now, from there you have power to create.
Blessings,
Bernadette Dickinson (c) 2012

Watch and absorb the truths! Be blessed ~ Bernadette

Many of us have been raised to believe that we must be responsible for
other people’s feelings. We were taught that in order to be responsible
we must always cooperate.

Cooperation is a very desirable characteristic. When a company or group
of people want to accomplish something, cooperation is essential. Each
individual must be responsible for an assigned task and cooperate with
the other team members in order to fulfill the desired outcome.

Sometimes in life however, we over-cooperate. If someone in our life
doesn’t follow through on things, we take on their responsibilities and do things for them. This over-cooperation ultimately leads to resentment and
blame.

We are solely responsible for ourselves. It is not our responsibility to
help others or to fix things for them. I am not saying that we shouldn’t
offer help to others, but that we should not enable others by doing things for them. What happens to each of us is ultimately our own responsibility.

Many people come to me about failing relationships, businesses, and
depression. During the first session I always ask, “Why do you think you
are going through this?” It always fascinates me how many people or
things we can blame for our own unhappiness. I hear everything from,
“It is my parents fault” to “My Sixth grade teacher told me I would never
amount to anything”.

Placing blame on others does not release us from our own responsibility.
I can say that it is my parent’s fault that I am horrible in relationships, but
it is still my choice to not change my behavior in relationships.
Likewise, when someone in our life continually makes excuses for not
fulfilling their responsibilities and asks us to somehow fix that, we are not
allowing them to learn their own lessons.

Children can’t learn how to walk if we constantly carry them around.
Adults can’t learn how to be responsible if other people continually do
things for them.

If I am in a bad relationship, it is not my partner’s fault. My partner may
not be the best or healthiest choice, but it is my own responsibility that I
continue in the relationship.

Happiness is a choice and a responsibility. We are the deciders of our
own fate. If something doesn’t make me happy, I choose not to do it. If I do something that makes me unhappy, I recognize that I chose to do it
and take responsibility for my own choice.