| INSIGHT | COLUMNS & GUIDANCE Dear Louise by Louise Hay Dear Louise, I need help accepting my good. I am a 60-year-old woman who has been in therapy for a long time, which has been very helpful. My parents were very controlling -- they wouldn't allow me to have any happiness or self-expression. What can I do to release thoughts that stop me from allowing the good to come into my life? Thank you for your help. -- G.L., Detroit, Mich. Dear G.L., Replace these feelings with thoughts of gratitude and joy. Fill your days with joyful affirmations, such as: "I love life! I deserve happiness! I forgive my parents! I love my body! I choose to be happy! I sing happy songs! I love my home! I attract happy people! I am loving and lovable! My life is great! I express myself freely and joyously! Today is a new day and a new beginning! I am free! I am safe! All is well in my world!" And so on and so on. Go for it, and have a wonderful new life. Dear Louise, My beloved dog died about three months ago after what was to be a routine teeth cleaning. I feel a lot of guilt for even taking him to the vet, because I feel I was responsible for his well-being. He was an older dog (about 12), and I was assured that he would be all right. I wish I had just left him alone to die of old age. Now I find the adjustment of life without him to be painful. Can you give me any perspective on this? -- R.S., Toronto, Canada Dear R.S., Pets occupy such a special place in our hearts. Please don't feel guilty; you've suffered enough. We all choose our time and place to leave the planet, and that includes our animals. It was his time, and he took an opportunity to go. Death is always hardest on those left behind. Your dog did not suffer, and neither need you. Remember the happy times you had with him with joy. He is as close to you now as he was before; you just can't see him. New love never really replaces old love, yet adopting a new puppy, or even rescuing an older dog, could bring you a new kind of unconditional love. Love comes and love goes, yet that feeling of love is always with us. Be gentle with yourself. Affirm: "I am at peace with life." Dear Louise, I am 59 years old and have lived alone for the past five years. I have had, in my past, one marriage of 10 years that produced two children, and another marriage of eight years, which was troubled but did have many strengths. After this second divorce, I met a man, dated, married and divorced all within 18 months. Needless to say, I am very skeptical about having another relationship. Recently I met someone who is widowed after a long marriage of 40 years. Alternately, I'm excited and scared. I'm not interested in being a replacement wife. I don't think that loneliness is a good enough reason to want a relationship. I feel I need to be very, very secure in a relationship in order to open up emotionally and physically. I need to be seen and heard (something that was lacking in my marriages). Now I feel that just when I was least looking and really had given up on ever having another relationship, this nice man comes along. What do you suggest? -- B.A., Dallas, Texas Dear B.A., Please do not judge this man by your other husbands, as he is a unique individual. It's good that he had a long marriage. He sounds stable. Give him a chance. It would be beneficial for you to have one or two therapy sessions. By doing so, you could clear your thinking and any old issues you may still have with your father. Perhaps your father was a person who did not see you or listen to you. Therapy could help you with forgiveness; then you will be able to release that pattern forever. Life has given you another chance. Take it, but open the door cautiously. And be sure to express gratitude every day for all the good in your life. Affirm: "I am grateful for my wonderful life." Write to Louise Hay at: Dear Louise Column, c/o Hay House, P.O. Box 5100, Carlsbad, CA 92108-5100. Louise L. Hay is a metaphysical teacher and the best-selling author of 27 books, including You Can Heal Your Life, Empowering Women and Letters to Louise. For a free catalog of books, audios, videos and other products by Louise Hay and other Hay House authors, call (800) 654-5126 or fax 1 (800) 650-5115. Please visit the Hay House website at hayhouse.com. Copyright 2001 Hay House |
|
|
Oct 2001 |
 |
