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,

First of all, I’d like to let you know how much I admire you and all the work you do. You’re truly amazing. My question to you is this: I’ve been suffering from anxiety (obsessive thoughts) since I was 13, depression for seven months, and I’m on an antidepressant. Please, if you have any advice, let me know. I would truly like your help, and so would my two-year-old daughter and my husband.

C.V., Canada

Thank you for your kind words and loving thoughts. My first reaction to your question is, what sort of foods do you eat? What is your diet like? I ask this because if you’ve always eaten the standard American diet, your symptoms are understandable.

As Caroline Sutherland, noted medical intuitive and nutritionist, recommends: “Removing dairy, wheat, corn, soy, yeast, sugar, and caffeine from the diet can make a big difference in the emotional reactions we have.” So many people have adverse reactions to these foods. If I had your issues, this is the first approach I’d take.

On the metaphysical level, anxiety comes from a lack of trust in the process of Life — a strong feeling of not being good enough. As usual, the answer is love and a willingness to love yourself and to trust Life. Look into a mirror a lot and say to yourself: I love and approve of myself. I trust Life to take care of me. I am safe and loved by Life itself

Dear Louise,

What do dark circles under your eyes mean? Do you have any affirmations? Thank you so much!

D.S., Los Angeles

According to Healthy Healing by Linda Page, dark circles under the eyes are usually caused by an iron deficiency, liver/kidney malfunction, or food allergies. This can be healed by a change in eating habits. See suggestions in the letter above! It’s always a good idea to periodically have your diet checked by a good nutritionist. I’ve learned most problems in the body have to do with food and thought. So many have been raised on junk foods, fast foods, prepackaged foods, a diet high in fat, white flour and too much sugar and, even worse, sugar substitutes. Eating natural foods, proteins, grains, vegetables, some fruit can make a tremendous difference in how we feel and look.

Of course, the thoughts we think have direct influence on how we feel emotionally, and the experiences we attract to ourselves. If we want to live into a healthy old age, then we must educate ourselves on how to take care of our bodies and how to think so we can always fell good abut ourselves. Affirm: I see myself with eyes of love. I am willing to learn how to take care of my body. I am the more precious person I know.

Dear Louise,

I’m 35 years old, and feel as if life’s slipping away. I know I’ve come with an important mission and don’t understand why I feel so stuck and unable to move through the addiction to sugar and alcohol. I feel there’s some part of me that doesn’t want to change, but which part? Where’s the resistance coming from?

I’d love to know what gentle nudge (or firm kick up the arse, as we say in Ireland!) you can impart. I’ve just begun to work with your affirmations, so I feel a deep resonance with you. With sincere thanks, love, and light.

G.M., Ireland

One primary way we mask fears is through addiction. Addictions suppress the emotions so we don’t feel. I see a small child within you who’s frightened to look at all those things that happened to you when you were little. It would be best if you could work with a therapist on these issues — someone with the experience to guide you into a place of safety. If this isn’t available to you, then do some mirror work.

Mirror work is simply looking into your own eyes in a mirror, and saying out loud: “I love you, I really love you!” Do this first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Do it often during the day. If uncomfortable feelings come up, just feel them, and let them pass. Then repeat, “I love you, I really love you!” If something happens that’s unpleasant, immediately go to the mirror and say: “It’s all right, I love you.” If something wonderful happens, go to the mirror and say: “Thank you!” Acknowledge yourself for the good in your life. Look into your own eyes and say: “I forgive you, and I love you!”

Forgive other people in the mirror, too. Use the mirror to talk to other people. Tell them things you’re afraid to tell them in person. Have a mirror on or inside your desk, or keep a small one in your pocket to use at any moment. When you do this consistently, you can make great changes in less than a month.