Dear Louise,
I’m a lonely person. I’m in my 30s, have a good job, a live-in partner, and friends and family who love me . . . but I still feel like the loneliest person on the planet at times. I’ve tried many affirmations to deal with this, but they only seem to work for a short time, then I slip back into negative thinking about how lonely and separate I am. Especially now, with the changes going on in the world that seem to be occurring, I want to feel less alone. Any advice?
— A.P., New York City

Dear A.P.,
Boy, those are great affirmations for keeping you stuck. As long as you choose to think about how lonely and separate you are, you’ll continue to feel lonely and separate. You and you alone control your thoughts. No thought, at any time, can dwell in your mind without your permission.

The so-called changes in the world have nothing to do with you. The life you have would be appreciated by millions of people, yet you insist on creating misery for yourself, Why? What are you so guilty about? Why do you insist on punishing yourself? My advice is to forgive yourself for whatever it is you feel you may have done in the long-ago past, and stop playing this foolish game with yourself. I’m not being harsh with you, I just want you to think. You’ve gotten yourself into a certain habit of thinking, and only you can make the choice to create thoughts that make you feel good.

Repeating the following affirmations over and over will help bring about the changes you desire: I am so grateful for my beautiful life. I am cherished and loved, and I share my love and joy with everyone. I appreciate all the good in my life. All is well. Life is good! I am safe.

Dear Louise,
I was wondering how I can help my friend and me. We’re survivors of childhood sexual abuse, and I believe we’ve moved mountains. I started reading your books years ago; however, I believe I’ve missed something, because I still have self-doubting thoughts and sometimes fear that the worst is happening. At times I think this is due to ignoring the child within, or perhaps not knowing how to approach it. I do look forward to a reply from you.
— C.L., London, EnglandDear C.L.

Dear C.L.,
We all have self-doubting thoughts, and fears that the worst will happen from time to time, even if we were raised in loving kindness. So when this happens say to yourself: Look how far I’ve come. The past is long gone. This is only an old thought that’s rising. It has nothing to do with my present life. I bless this thought with love and let it go. I bless my inner child with love and smooth away the old fears. The person I am today is safe and Divinely protected and guided. Only good lies before me. Good experiences surround me and await me. I fill my thoughts with joy, and joy greets me at every turn. I love my life and life loves me.

Having been a child of sexual abuse myself, this is the way I talk to myself in times of doubt. Don’t talk about or think about the old horrors. They’re no longer real. They only live in your mind. Train your mind to think thoughts of joy, and spread joy around you, You and your friend are in the process of letting go, and you’re both doing the best you can. It will continue to get easier.

Dear Louise,
Thank you for all your wonderful books and tapes. I have a question for you. I’m a master self-saboteur—that is, I create circumstances that hurt me. Will you please give me an affirmation that would help me counter this life-destroying habit/practice?
— S.T., Los Angeles, CA

Dear S.T.,
Turn that creative energy around—and stop using that label of "self-saboteur." Decide that you no longer need negative drama in your life. You’re right—it’s only a habit, and a habit is something you repeat. There’s no need to punish yourself any longer. I, Louise Hay, now give you permission to start a new habit!

Affirm: I deserve to live a good life. I now choose to allow the Universe to love and support me at every turn. I am a precious, deserving being. I allow Life to love me and cherish me. All is well. Life is good!

If you do this for one month, nonstop, your entire life will change.
Blessings.

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.

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