Ask Louise

by Louise Hay


Louise L. Hay is a metaphysical teacher and bestselling author of nine books including You can Heal Your Life and The Power Is Within You. 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 over 20 different languages throughout the world.


Dear Louise,

I am a man in my twenties who grew up in a very old-fashioned family. Not only was I supposed to respect my elders, but I was expected to give an inordinate amount of respect to those younger than I was — especially girls. I was forced to be polite to my younger sister even though she was extremely aggressive, a liar and a tattletale. No matter what happened, she would run to Mommy and Daddy, saying that it was my fault.
To this day, I am very leery of women. I just don't trust them. I have the feeling that even when they appear to like me, they are going to turn their backs on me and cause me trouble. I also have resentment feelings toward my parents for spoiling my sister and for not recognizing how she would entrap me with her devious ways.
I don't want to have a lifelong problem with the opposite sex, so how can I overcome my negative feelings?
J.H., Boise, ID

Dear J.H.,

I am glad you are addressing this issue while you are still young; you won't have to carry it for too long. As you recognize where the problem came from, you can begin to release it. People who harbor resentment for a long time can contribute to illnesses such as cancer and tumors, and you certainly don't want to do that.
There was a reason why you chose to be born in this particular family this time around. Your lesson (like all of ours) was to rise above your early upbringing. I would suggest you begin with some forgiveness work toward both your parents and your sister. If you cannot do this by yourself, then get some counseling. It is vital that you work through this. Every time you see another woman, keep saying to yourself, THIS IS NOT MY SISTER. I ONLY ATTRACT TO MYSELF SINCERE, HONEST, LOVING WOMEN. This will be a powerful affirmation for you to work with. There are wonderful women out there. Allow yourself to bring them into your world.


Dear Louise,

I hope you can help me out of this difficult situation. I'm at my wit's end. Recently, I broke up with my fiance who, I discovered almost too late, was abusive both to women and defenseless animals. Although I am aware that he has other issues that he has not even begun to address (he's in his fifties, yet will break out in tears and say that all he wants is for his mother to approve of him "just one time"), his issues are now affecting me even though I am no longer in his life.
You see, before we broke up, we purchased a very expensive home together that we were planning to move into after our wedding. This man (who is a millionaire) is now threatening to sue me. He had his lawyer send me a letter stating that if I don't sign a quit-claim deed, he will take me to court. Now, I am certainly willing to sign this deed if I am also taken off the loan, but he says that doing so would mean he'd have to refinance the house and that it would be too expensive. Louise, I don't want to be on this loan for the next 30 years. It will show up every time I apply for credit, and it will also tie me to this person for the rest of my life.
On the one hand, I don't want to be a victim, but neither do I want to sign up for a year of chaos. (I can't afford the expense or the emotional ramifications of a year-long battle.) I just do't know what to do. What do you think?
L.J., Toronto, Canada

Dear L.J.,

I do not feel that this is the first time you have been taken advanatage of. And this is a pattern that must be addressed. This is also an excellent lesson that you do not tie yourself up legally before you are married. I suggest you get the book What Every Woman Needs To Know Before (And After) She Gets Involved With Men And Money, by Judge Lois G. Forer.
On the surface,, this looks like a situation where there is no way out, and if you buy into that outlook, you will indeed be stuck. However, we know that the universe always responds to our inner beliefs and has the intelligence and ability to work out all problems. So, I suggest you begin to use this affirmation at least 500 times a day: I AM SAFE AND ALL IS WELL IN MY WORLD! Turn your thinking around, and the situation will change. Keep me posted.


Dear Louise,

I don't know who else to turn to with this problem. I am a man in my late forties who was raised in a dysfunctional family like so many other people today. Although I was not physically abused, I was emotionally abused by parents who always made me feel unworthy. To deal with this problem, I asked God to make me sick. I needed an excuse so that my parents would not expect so much from me.
Well, unfortunately, God answered my prayers, and I have been experiencing physical problems all through my adult life. I have gone to countless doctors, but they can never find anything wrong with me, although I always feel terrible. I know in my heart that I have "created" my physical ailments, but I am at a loss as to how to "uncreate" them. Are there any affirmations that you can give me? Do you think there is hope for me?
S.K., Santa Fe, NM

Dear S.K.,

I FORGIVE MY PARENTS AND I ALLOW MYSELF TO BE VIBRANTLY HEALTHY. Remind yourself daily that you are not living at home and you are willing to grow up. Sit in front of the mirror and have a good talk with yourself. You might say something like this: "I realize that I created illness in the past to take the pressure off me. Today is a new time and a new moment, and I now release the old pattern of illness and allow myself to be well and enjoy life."
I wonder if you continue the illness pattern because of guilt for having created it in the first place. Or, maybe you want to assure your parents that your illness was really real. Whatever the reason, let it go! Only you can do this — and yes, you can do it. Drop the word "hope"; that only means you think you are hopeless. Next time you feel lousy, say, "It's only a pattern, and I'm letting it go."



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.)

Next Article

Return to This Month's Index