Dear Louise,
Do you have any thoughts about the loss of a pet (and can you recommend any good books on the subject)? My dog recently died, and I want to know if he’s still with me
in spirit.
M.C., Dallas, Texas

Dear M.C.,
Those little creatures creep into our hearts with their unconditional love, and we sorely mss them when they’re gone. Remember: Love is always with us, and those who leave the planet are always with us in spirit even if we’re not aware of it.

You can find much comfort on the Internet. There is Pet Loss Grief Support, one of the first places to visit on the Web when a beloved pet passes on: www.petloss.com. Also, www.amazon.com has a good list of books on the loss of a pet. One that I like is Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates, a book to help with the loss, and it also answers questions such as yours. Also, talk to your pet, and know that your dog wants you to be happy. And, of course, always remember your times together with joy. When you adopt a new animal, know that your recently departed dog sent it to you.

Dear Louise,
I truly believe that only thought creates form. However, my body currently has cancer, arthritis, and spinal degeneration. I daily pray for guidance to understand how I’m manifesting this stuff, but I don’t seem to be able to get any "help." I feel stuck . . . very, very stuck.
G.F. , Vancouver, Canada

Dear G.F.,
Your guidance has arrived! There are several things I’d like to tell you, dear one. First of all, you must change the way you eat. Vancouver is full of good health practitioners, so find a nutritionist to help you change your eating habits. Second, you can never be stuck, for each thought is a new beginning. If you’re finding yourself in the same spot over and over again, it means that you’re thinking the same thoughts over and over again, and re-creating the same patterns.

Third, whom do you desperately need to forgive? So many of the thoughts that contribute to illness come from old resentments that literally eat away at the body. I suggest you reread You Can Heal Your Life and do the exercises. Also, get my audio called Self-Healing. It’s one of the best for healing the body. Listen to it two or three times a day for 30 days and you’ll feel some positive results.

Dear Louise,
I’m looking for the probable cause and new thought pattern on fibromyalgia. I didn’t find
it in your book Heal Your Body.
Thank you.
G.S., New Hampshire

Dear G.S.,
When a person is under stress, the body reacts and tenses up. Stiffness and pain is felt in the fibrous tissues, usually deep within the muscles, yet there’s nothing wrong with the muscles themselves. Stiffness is a result of rigid, stiff thinking. Tension, fear, and holding on result in the body cramping and gripping.

Use the following affirmation: I AM RELAXED AND SAFE. MY MIND IS FLEXIBLE AND PEACEFUL AND SO IS MY BODY. I AM FREE OF PAIN, AND ALL IS WELL!

********************************************************************

Dear Louise,
Although I’m 28 years old, I sometimes feel like I’m 128. My life is lonely, as my friends have all emigrated to other countries, and I haven’t found my Mr. Right to share my life with. This is frustrating because I feel that I have so much to give. Your book You Can Heal Your Life is helping me, but at times I feel so sad and helpless. How do I bring happiness and love into my life (and Mr. Right. of course)?
G.R., Zambia

Dear G.R.,,
Old thoughts make you feel old. Choosing sad and helpless thoughts makes you feel like a victim. Yes, many of your friends have left, but you must realize that the Universe has given you an opportunity for a new life. Awaken each morning with an anticipation of good things happening today. Affirm: I LOOK WITH WONDER AT ALL THE GOOD IN MY LIFE. When you truly love yourself and enjoy being with yourself, then you’ll be irresistible to others. No one is attracted to a sad, helpless victim.

Also affirm: I NOW BECOME THE HAPPINESS AND LOVE I WANT IN MY LIFE. I BRING
JOY WHEREVER I GO. EVERYBODY LOVES ME.

Dear Louise,
I’m 22 years old and have been suffering from quite a severe depression for about two years now. I’m at the end of my medical treatment (antidepressive) and have just ended psychological therapy. I've got a wonderful boyfriend who supports me in every way, and my life is totally changed from what it was before. The thing is, now, when the healing is showing good results, I still totally lose faith in life, and it all seems so painfully gray and vacuum-like. I’m afraid of getting hurt again, and it prevents me from saying a full and honest yes to living a healthy life.
Any advice for me?
J.R.,Norway

Dear J.R.,
It’s just an old habit of yours—choosing all this depressive thinking and losing faith. Say the affirmations below to yourself and then go and live life to the fullest. Be a wonderful girlfriend to your wonderful boyfriend. Let the past go!

I AM NOT THAT OLD, DEPRESSED PERSON ANY LONGER. I AM A NEW BEING, AND I LOVE EVERY BIT OF MY LIFE. I APPRECIATE MYSELF, MY FRIENDS, AND MY LOVED ONES. NO ONE WILL HURT ME AGAIN, FOR I ABSOLUTELY REFUSE TO HURT MYSELF WITH MY OWN THOUGHTS EVER AGAIN. LIFE IS GOOD, AND I AM ENJOYING IT ALL!

Dear Louise,
I’m in high school and I have such a bad habit: I bite my fingernails all the time. I don’t even know why I do about it anymore. What do you suggest I do?
G.D., Los Angeles, CA

Dear G.D.,
You’re so afraid of doing something wrong. You’re worried sick that someone will find you failing. This is terrible pressure to live under. Don’t do this to yourself. Let it go.

The fingers represent attention to details, and nail biting often masks frustration and anger. You’re literally eating away at yourself with angry thoughts and feelings. Nail biting, like any addictive habit, is a means for coping with these uncomfortable feelings. The best way to release a negative habit is to find a more effective form of expression for your frustration. Active journaling or drawing may be helpful. An excellent book on this subject is Recovery of Your Inner Child by Dr. Lucia Capacchione.

Also, kiss your nails several times a day with love. They’ve been hated for far too long.

Affirmations to use are: I HAVE A HIGH REGARD AND RESPECT FOR MYSELF. I SUPPORT AND LOVE MYSELF UNCONDITIONALLY. AS A RESULT, I AM SAFE TO EXPRESS ALL THAT I AM! I RELEASE AND I LET GO. IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT OTHERS THINK. I LOVE MYSELF, AND I AM PERFECT JUST AS I AM RIGHT HERE AND RIGHT NOW. I AM SAFE AND FILLED WITH JOY. All IS WELL IN MY WORLD.

Louise L. Hay is a metaphysical teacher and the bestselling author of 27 books, including You Can Heal Your Life, Empowering Women, and Inner Wisdom. 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.

Now you can learn tips on how to heal every aspect of your life directly from Louise by subscribing to the new Louise Hay Newsletter! Call for a Free Premier Issue today: (800) 654-5126, or fax (800) 650-5115. Don't forget to ask for a free catalog of books, audios, videos, and other products by Louise Hay and other Hay House authors!

If you would like Louise to answer your letter in this publication, please send it to:
Dear Louise Column, c/o Hay House, Inc., P. O. Box 5100, Carlsbad, CA 92018-5100, or e-mail your letter to: admin@hayhouse.com (letters used in this column may be edited for length and clarity). Please visit the Hay House Website at: www.hayhouse.com.