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,

Over the past few years, I seem to have become more self-conscious and anxious. I find that when I’m in quiet places where there are lots of other people, I become very aware of the silence, become anxious, and my stomach starts to rumble. I know this sounds crazy, but it really embarrasses me and makes me feel self-aware. I’m currently taking some classes, and find that sometimes I don’t listen to the lecturer because I’m trying so hard to concentrate on my stomach being quiet. I don’t know where this has come from, but it’s really frustrating, and I’d really like it to stop. When my mind is focused on something else, it doesn’t seem to happen.

Similarly, in the summer when it’s very hot, I start to feel self-conscious that I’ll sweat (because girls don’t generally sweat much), but being anxious seems to make me sweat more, so it’s like a vicious cycle. How do I overcome this anxiety and just live my life normally again?

K.S., Dublin, Ireland

Learn to breathe deeply and fully. Your breath is your connection to relaxation and inner peace. Practice doing this several times a day. Take a deep breath, and as you exhale, say to yourself, “I relax and let go.” Do this four or five times and watch how your body and mind relax.

You’ve been stressing yourself out so much that every little thought becomes a mountain of problems. Please stop. Do the above exercise several times a day and you’ll find you’re much more at ease with living. Then, when a stressful situation arises, you’ll already have tools to work with. Just breathing and relaxing will solve it all. It’s also a perfect way to allow yourself to go to sleep easily.

Dear Louise,

I recently realized I have conflicting values that are causing me confusion. Half of me feels that I have to work really hard to get anywhere in the world, but the other half believes that fun, love, and my relationships with family and friends are most important.

I’m about to go into my fourth year at a university, but have been feeling as if it’s going to be such a grind; stress; and just work, work, work; and it’s also not really my passion. But I feel that I should get this degree, as it gives me more options.

One part of me is saying I need to go out and follow my real dream right now (to be a successful singer/songwriter) because time is of the essence; the other part is saying, “You’re only 20, you’ve got plenty of time.” I feel like I’m dragging my heels, half of me trying to be sensible, the other pulling me to follow a dream. I’m afraid that I’m just going to end up in a dead end job to stay afloat. I feel like my values are in a muddle, and I don’t know where to commit myself, or what’s real. Maybe it’s the idea that I have to specialize to master anything that’s causing me confusion. It is pretty funny, isn’t it? I think my greatest fear is that I’ll wake up ten years later and still not have sailed to great heights, and I’ll feel as if I’ve missed the boat. Do you have any advice?

M.A., Santa Fe, New Mexico

My advice to you is almost the same as I gave in the previous letter. Relax and breathe. Do it often. Stop being so tense. Don’t take life so seriously. Life is supposed to be fun. Don’t try to sort out your entire life in this one moment. You’ll change and grow as long as you’re alive.

Having a balanced life is enjoying it all—the fun and games, the study and the work. This is what makes life so interesting. Feel love for everything; the people in your world, your passions, everyday things in your life—and most of all, for yourself. You have no idea of all the wonderful adventures that lie before you. Affirm: I trust my inner wisdom to guide me and protect me at all times. All is well.

Dear Louise,

What if you want something in life and think about it everyday? You only put positive energy in that thought, you want it so bad. Is it possible that instead of attracting that goal, you will only will make the situation worse?

E.C., the Netherlands

You’re worrying too much and therefore pushing your goal away. Anticipate it with joy and then release it to the Universe to take care of. If you truly believe that the Universe and all of Life is on your side, then you can stop thinking about it (or release it), and you will be provided for. Know that the Universe is in the process of taking care of your dream, and it will arrive. Now, think about how you can have fun in the meantime. Also, remember that this is only one of many, many goals you’ll have in your lifetime. The Universe can provide them all if you will allow it. Affirm: All is well. Everything comes to me in the right time and place. Life loves me, and I love Life!

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