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by
Louise
Hay
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Dear
Louise,
I need
to make a decision about where I want to spend the rest of my life. I
am past 60, widowed nine years, with no children. I have lived in California
for many years. I have five siblings on the East Coast, but do not know
them or their families very well. We were separated when young because
of hard times. After my husband's death, I returned to the East Coast
to see how it would feel to live there again. I spent two weeks on the
beach but was very ill most of the time. Besides, the weather was hot
and humid, and I was miserable. My brother asked me point blank if I wanted
to die in California or on the East Coast where people love me. I didn't
know. Where can I find the answer? I do have good friends in California
and a part-time job essential for me to live above the poverty level.
W.H. Santa Monica, CA
Dear
W.H.,
Today, a woman in her
60s is in the very prime of her life. You have a whole new lifetime and
adventure before you. This is not the 1930s, when you were born, when
a woman just withered and died after 60. Please read Gail Sheehy's book
New Passages. You have such exciting times ahead of you. Take advantage
of them. I know your brother means the best for you, wanting to keep you
close to the family, but your destiny is not to live with dysfunctional
people in miserable weather. Don't think about where you want to die,
think about where you want to live. Santa Monica is one of the most charming
places on this planet. Open your consciousness to new opportunities. Dream
new dreams. The "totality of possibilities" lies before you.
Follow your heart. Take risks. Go out on a limb - that is where the fruit
is. Affirm: I SEE A GLORIOUS LIFE BEFORE ME! Go dancing tonight, and have
fun.
Dear
Louise,
Thank
you for your wonderful books! I tell people about you all the time - even
complete strangers. Over the years I've had various health problems and
have always found your "list" in Heal Your Body to be helpful.
I was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) and as always, I turned
to the list for some insight. For my condition, it says "Mental hardness,
hard-heartedness, iron will, inflexibility. Fear." During my introspection,
I have not been able to understand these probable causes for the MS. The
fear could be a factor, but that is something I've worked on for many years
and honestly believe I've conquered. The only way I've been able to relate
to the hard-heartedness is not allowing love in, or feeling not deserving
of love. Could this be what you mean? Any insight you can offer would be
appreciated.
T.K., San Francisco, CA
Dear
T.K.,
Thank you for your kind words. I have always felt blessed that I can do
the work that helps people improve the quality of their lives. This is
what I believe life is all about - blessing and prospering each other.
As we do so, we are in turn blessed and prospered. When it comes to health,
people are a big mixed bag of many different influences. Our mental atmosphere
(the self-talk we indulge in) plays a big part. So do the beliefs of our
parents and society that we learned as children. The foods we choose to
eat either nourish our bodies or slowly help them to deteriorate. We must
constantly inform ourselves about what we put into our bodies in the way
of foods and beverages, and constantly edit our thinking. I think the
health problems that have plagued you over the years are a combination
of all of the above. In addition, sometimes people with MS have developed
an iron will in order to survive their childhood, and now they have become
very inflexible in their thinking. Please learn to relax. Several times
a day do some deep breathing. Affirm: I ALLOW THE HEALING POWER OF THE
UNIVERSE TO FLOW THROUGH MY BODY. Go to a good nutritionist, and follow
a really healthy diet for your body - foods that affirm the wholeness
of life. Read several books on health and healing, including Dr. Christiane
Northrup's Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom. You can heal yourself once
and for all!
Dear
Louise,
I have lived in low-income
HUD housing for seniors for almost 15 years. During this time, we have had
eight managers who are seniors, too. They don't stay long, as it is hard
to please everyone, and people, let's face it, will try to find fault. We
used to have parties and get-togethers, but a lot of those people have either
moved or passed away. There are just a few of us left, new ones moving in
and a lot of friction about planning parties. If someone volunteers to head
up entertainment, there is always someone else to find fault instead of
lending encouragement and help. I am writing because I feel there is a better
way for all of us to get some enjoyment in our lives, living here as one
big family, but I don't know how to get things moving in that direction.
Would you give me some advice so we can all enjoy a more happy, peaceful
place to live?
G.G., Camarillo, CA
Dear
G.G.,
One person thinking really clearly can erase the work of many fault-finders.
Remember, they are only expressing their fear. Life has put you where
you are to be a bright and shining light for the entire housing project.
Let's look away from the problem and begin to see the solution. First
of all, sit down and write out exactly how you would like your community
to be. Describe the ideal situation. For instance, I LIVE IN A DELIGHTFUL
COMMUNITY. WE HAVE THE MOST WONDERFUL MANAGER WHOM EVERYBODY LOVES. I
AM SURROUNDED BY CHEERFUL, OPTIMISTIC NEIGHBORS. WE ALL COOPERATE BEAUTIFULLY,
AND WE HAVE LOTS OF FUN TIMES TOGETHER. THIS IS THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE.
When you run into a "fault-finder," say to yourself, "This
person has so much joy within them." If you will use your mind in
this way, doing affirmations morning and evening for a month, you will
be surprised at the results.
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: www.hayhouse.com.
(Letters used in this column may be edited for space and clarity.) For
information on becoming a certified teacher of Louise Hay's philosophy,
call Patricia Crane at (800) 969-4584 in the U.S. and Canada, or at (714)
969-9383 internationally.
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