Ask Louise
Louise Hay is a metaphysical teacher and the bestselling author
of 18 books, including You Can Heal Your Life, Empowering Women,
and Life! Reflections on Your Journey. 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 throughout the world.
Dear Louise,
Can you help me come to some kind of peace regarding the way animals
are treated by each other and by mankind? I live in the mountains
and am privileged almost daily to watch wildlife, and they're
such a huge part of joy in my life. But some scenes are totally
agonizing to me--I once watched helplessly while a wild ferret
chased a little chipmunk all around the yard, the chipmunk screaming
his little heart out. But the ferret caught and killed him. And
to have to witness man's cruelty to animals is unbearable, even
to watch an angler pull a fish out of the water and proudly hold
him up while he struggles for air. The whole system seems to have
gone so wrong, and I just cannot reconcile all this with the idea
of a God who creates and cherishes all life.
C.C, Littleton, CO
Dear C.C.,
All of life is God. And all of life is precious and perfect. So
too is the structure of Nature in all its wisdom. Your feelings
are shared by many. Yet it is important to remember that God does
not make mistakes. Ultimately you have the power to choose how
you perceive the world around you.
How blessed you are to live where wildlife can be viewed on a
daily basis. You can choose to be horrified at some of the things
you witness or consider that it is part of Nature's idea of the
perfect balance between predator and prey. Bless the chipmunk
and the ferret. We all have our roles, and we all have a right
to be here.
As far as humans' actions and instances of cruelty to animals,
I understand and share your feelings. People express their own
pain by taking it out on children and animals who are helpless.
When humans learn to love themselves, then they will not harm
any person, place, or thing on this planet. Until then, people
are needed who feel passionate enough to do something about it.
Take action! Join an environmental group or start a movement of
your own. It is when the individual takes action that changes
occur. Affirm: MY COMPASSION FOR LIFE HELPS TO HEAL THE WORLD.
Dear Louise,
I'm a 41-year-old female with insulin-dependent diabetes complicated
by a binge-eating disorder. I've attended Overeaters Anonymous
for over four years and have developed a more spiritual life,
yet I'm still escaping into pastry binges and running dangerously
high sugars. I know why I do it--job stress, feeling underemployed,
and yearning to emerge as an artist-and part a lack of faith that
a Higher Power can indeed restore me to well-being. The hopelessness
and eating feel like a vicious circle. From what I know of affirmations,
there is definitely a negative message in the 12-step process
(focusing on defects, powerlessness, and ego-smashing), so I wonder
what you would advise for me.
N.B., San Francisco, CA
Dear N.B.,
A Higher Power will restore you to well-being when you are ready
to be healed. The Universe is always responding to your beliefs
about yourself and about life. Your binges are basically messages
of self-hatred about yourself.
All the things you blame--job stress, etc., are only reflections
of the way you feel about yourself. Forgiveness for those who
gave you severe lessons as a child is imperative. Then developing
self-love for yourself will create the miracle you are looking
for.
The 12-Step programs do a fabulous job. They give you excellent
steps to work with. However, they cannot control your thinking
process. This is where your empowerment lies. Blaming others is
just an excuse for not focusing on what you want. Be diligent
about thinking about only what you want. Do not let any other
thoughts creep in. See yourself in a job that is easy and that
pays well. See yourself as a successful artist. Love your body
and see yourself as healthy. Laugh a lot, bring joy into your
life. As you do so, the Universe will have something positive
to mirror in your life.
Dear Louise,
I've gotten myself into a situation where I feel like a caged
animal, and I'm not sure what to do about it. I am a 38-year-old
male who has been involved with a woman who has three small children,
and over the course of our two-year relationship, the kids became
very attached to me. I did everything for them--drove them everywhere
(since their mother doesn't drive), attended school functions,
helped them with homework. Now I want to leave the relationship,
but the kids are begging me not to--crying, and making me feel
incredibly guilty. Their mother has convinced me that none of
them can function without me, yet I'm not happy and need to move
on.
But can I live with the guilt? I like to think of myself as a
spiritual person, but how can I be spiritual and desert three
small children? Any help you could give me would be appreciated.
J.F., Vancouver, B.C., CANADA
Dear J.F.,
How wonderful that you have given these children two years of
your love. They will remember it forever. I have compassion for
all of you in this situation. Yet you will not be deserting anyone
but yourself if you do not do what is best for you. Life brought
you together for a reason, and now it is time to part. Share with
these children that you are not happy, and eventually this will
affect them. It would be better to talk to the children alone
and from your heart. Be honest with them; they will know if you
are not. Explain to them that in life we meet many people, and
they will come and go in our lives. We need to learn what we can,
bless them for being in our lives, and then look forward to the
next adventure. Yes, they will cry; it is part of the parting
experience. Affirm: WE ARE ALL IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT
TIME.
For a free catalog of books, audios, videos, and other products by Louise Hay and other Hay House authors, please call (800) 654-5126 or fax: (800) 650-5115. If you would like Louise to answer your letter in this publication, address your letter to: Dear Louise Column, c/o Hay House, Inc., P.O. Box 5100, Carlsbad, CA 92018-5100. Please visit the Hay House Website at: http://www.hayhouse.com. (Letters used in this column may be edited for length and clarity.)
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