Dear Louise

Louise L Hay is a metaphysical teacher and best-selling author of 27 book s including, 
You Can Heal Your Life,  Empowering Women,  Meditations to Heal Your Life,  Letters t o Louise, and The Power Is Within You.

Since beginning her career as a Science of Mind minister in 1981, she has assisted thousands of people in discovering and using the full potential of their own creative powers for personal growth and self-healing.

 Louise’s works have been translated into 25 different languages in 33 countries.

Dear Louise,

My husband and I have visualized a wonderful home for years. We wanted it to be big enough so our parents could live with us when they wanted. Last summer my father suddenly became ill at the same time we found our dream home. My parents, who are only 70, had to move in immediately. I'm glad we are here for them, but with their life change, they're miserable and angry. My 90-year-old mother-in-law lives with us, also.

Our dream of having our parents live with us in this wonderful place has come true. But we didn't visualize the illness and heartache that would bring my parents here. Did our hope of sharing this life with them bring on my Dad's illness?

Now I am home alone taking care of our parents. It's a full-time job. My husband has to run our business alone. He travels all week so I only see him on weekends. My parents are having a hard time, but my life has changed, too. I can't change my parents' situation, so how do I get my own life back? We pray for guidance, but I either can't or don't see it. What am I doing wrong?

S.B., Tampa, FL

I know it can be a challenge taking care of people who are ill. There is no way that you could have brought on your father's illness. We are all under the law of our own consciousness. Illnesses come and go; they don't have to be permanent. Let's know for your parents that they are healthy and happy and enjoying their new life. No matter what their current circumstances are, we can know the positive truth for them.

Are your parents willing to change their eating habits? A good nutritionist could work wonders. Would they be open to going for two or three weeks to The Hippocrates Health Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida (www. hippocratesinst. com) to get their health back?

You could also get a caretaker for a few days while you explore the many options available to you. Affirm: THERE IS PEACE, HARMONY, AND WHOLENESS IN MY HOME.

Dear Louise,

I am from Argentina, but now I live in California. I'm having panic attacks on a daily basis. Also, for the last three months, I've been experiencing many things that make me feel like I'm losing control, such as cold sweats, fainting, vomiting, and low blood pressure. Recently I went to psychotherapy and the doctor told me that I've had many traumas (being raped, losing my father, etc.) that need to be delved into deeply. He also recommended that I take some anti-anxiety medication to control myself every morning. Is this what I should do?

C.M., California

Keep breathing during a panic attack will relieve symptoms. The first thing I would suggest is that you have a full physical examination by a medical doctor to see what could be causing these symptoms. And, yes, it could be very valuable for you to have therapy sessions on a regular basis. All of us who have had traumatic childhoods can use professional help to release our fears and resentments.

In addition, I would suggest you also do some volunteer work for a children's hospital or AIDS clinic. You will have a whole new outlook on life after spending time in one of these places of healing. Helping others gets us out of ourselves and away from our own problems. Affirm: I AM SAFE, AND ALL OF LIFE SUPPORTS ME.

Dear Louise,

Over the past two years, I've been looking inside myself with the help of your books and those written by others, and I recognize that my weight problem is my way of protecting myself from my fears. I also recognize that I have very low self-esteem. What I cannot figure out is where this is stemming from. Can you help, please

B.L., Quebec, Canada

Good for you. You've been on the pathway for two years and are ready to make positive changes. It doesn't matter which childhood trauma your negative patterns came from. What matters is what you're going to do about it now. Make a list of all of those whom you have resentment toward. Each day, go over this list and forgive each and every one of those individuals. Do this daily for a month.

Instead of frightening yourself with your own thoughts, choose to think only thoughts that make you happy. Every time you pass a mirror, say: I love you, I really love you. All this will bring your self-esteem way up, you'll feel good, and then the pounds can drop away. Affirm: I RELEASE THE PAST AND ALLOW MY FUTURE TO BE BRIGHT AND SUNNY.

For free catalog of Louise Hay's books & other products: call 800-654-5126. Letters may be sent to: "Dear Louise" c/o Hay House   PO Box 5100    Carlsbad, CA 92018 
You can learn more about Louise at: www.hayhouse.com