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,

I’m a 34-year-old woman who has been in a very loving marriage for four years. I work as a geriatric social worker. For the most part, I have a very satisfying life, but I’ve been troubled and blocked over the past five to eight years by anxiety attacks stemming from claustrophobia. I was never claustrophobic before, but all of a sudden I’m paralyzed by the thought of taking an elevator, flying, and so on. I’m avoiding more and more situations, and it’s becoming very disruptive to my life. I’m at a loss as to what to do. Is it possible to get free from this?

PK, Chicago, IL

This is a perfect example of what can happen when we allow our thinking to run rampant. We think one small, scary thought and we mull it over and over. Then we add another scary thought, and our bodies begin to react to this thinking. However, it’s only a habitual thinking pattern. Thoughts can always be changed. These thoughts came from nowhere, and you can allow them to go back to the nothingness from whence they came. But don’t try to do it by yourself; you’re in too deep right now.

Look for some therapy. Don’t allow this condition to continue. You don’t need to suffer anymore. Find a qualified person, such as a Science of Mind practitioner, a therapist, or a counselor, who can guide you back to joyful thinking. You can never have a panic attack when you’re thinking thoughts of joy. Affirm I AM IN CHARGE OF MY THINKING. I KNOW THAT I AM DIVINELY PROTECTED AT ALL TIMES. I AM SAFE, AND MY HEALING HAS BEGUN.

Dear Louise,

I’d like to start saying a blessing before meals—my family said one as I was growing up, but it doesn’t seem to fit me any longer. I’m very interested in what you’d recommend. I read your column and enjoy it very much.

I.G., New Zealand

 

Many of the things our parents said, believed, or did seem outdated in our modern world. The same is true for blessings. The feelings can still be there—that is, a sense of gratitude for the good in our lives—but we can change the wording. There are an infinite number of things you could say to express yourself in your own way. You could take a sentence or two from any inspirational writing that has meaning for you, and you can also change what you say to suit the particular day or meal.

I often say something like I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THIS GLORIOUS LIFE, or THANK YOU FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL DAY, or WE APPRECIATE ALL THE LOVE AROUND THIS TABLE. And I always end by saying AND THANK YOU, FOOD, FOR GIVING YOUR LIFE TO NOURISH US.

You could even just smile and say YUM. It’s the intention that matters, not the words.

Dear Louise,

I was born during the Depression. Women in my family live to be over 100; my grandmother was 108 when she went into transition. At age 69, I don’t want to retire. I love what I do and love my office and clients, but I was hoping you could help me with a money problem. I’m divorced and take care of myself and my financial matters, but I remember my parents having a hard time of it, and I guess that old stuff is still hanging around. I hope you can help me with some thought/cause associations for this.

J.S., Dallas, TX

 

Accept your family’s good genes, and release their limiting beliefs about money. The early childhood messages associated with money must have been very strong, and as an obedient little child you learned them well. Now it’s time to unlearn them. Take several large sheets of paper and title the first one WHAT I BELIEVE ABOUT MONEY. Then title the others WHAT MY MOTHER BELIEVED ABOUT MONEY and WHAT MY FATHER BELIEVED, etc. Take a few days to do this so that all the old messages have a chance to come up.

I suggest you spend some quiet time alone in meditation. Ask your higher self to guide you to a sense of understanding, faith, and peace around this subject. There’s nothing wrong with doing affirmations for money. However, it’s important to ask yourself why you want it. Obviously, it’s not just the form of money itself that you desire. Is it that you want it for future security? Instead of focusing on money, which is only used to attain other things, concentrate on what you want this money to do for you.

No matter what your family believed about the lack of money, you don’t have to follow their old, outdated thinking patterns. Know and affirm I AM ALWAYS WELL PROVIDED FOR. THE UNIVERSE KNOWS WHAT I NEED AT ALL TIMES AND TAKES GOOD CARE OF ME. I HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED FOR AS LONG AS I SHALL LIVE. I AM AT PEACE. ALL IS WELL.

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