Dear Louise

Louise L. Hay is a metaphysical teacher and the best-selling author of numerous books, including You Can Heal Your Life, Empowering Women, and I Can Do It!. For the past 25 years, she has assisted millions 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 29 different languages in 35 countries throughout the world.

Dear Louise,

Are there some affirmations I can say for my beloved husband with Alzheimer's? Also, I need to learn to forgive myself for perhaps contributing to this situation.

We've had a happy marriage, although we're both extremely obstinate, always wanting our own way. Because of this, I've often thought that if he weren't around, I could really get along so much better alone. We both love each other very much, and he's been a good husband and father. Now he's in fine physical health, but his mind is deserting him. So in the worst possible way, my thought is turning into reality. I need to forgive myself, and in my heart I know there's always hope, but I find it hard to let go and let God.

- S.J., Alaska

Dear S.J.,

Your affirmations have a lot to do with what's happening to you, but not to him. Everyone's always under the law of their own consciousness. Alzheimer's is a refusal to deal with the world as it is. Being obstinate is an expression of that, as well as wanting to go and still wanting to stay.

A good physical is in order. According to Dr. Linda Page (the author of Healthy Healing) common causes that contribute to Alzheimer's are poor or obstructed circulation, arteriosclerosis, anemia, decrease in hormones, lack of exercise and oxygen, fluid accumulation in the brain, thyroid malfunction, aluminum toxicity, mercury toxicity from dental fillings, and emotional shock. Have these things checked out, because some wonderful work is being done for healing Alzheimer's on a nutritional, holistic level.

Let go and drop the guilt. You've far too much to do than to indulge in that wasteful thinking. Continuously send yourself and your husband love and healing energy, and forgive yourself.

Affirm: My husband and I express joyful and abundant health. We are happy, whole, and complete.

Dear Louise,

I am so depressed, I can''t seem to get past blaming everyone for my problems. I even suffered a stroke recently and wonder if there is any hope for me. If so, what can I do to begin to help myself?

- K.L., Taos, New Mexico

Dear K.L.,

Choose to think other thoughts! Clean up your diet. Exercise, or at least take walks. Breathe deeply and often. Go to the mirror and laugh at yourself. Stop sitting on the pity pot. Help someone else. Blaming others just keeps you stuck in the victim role.

Talk to the little child within you. Say: "I love you, I really love you." Think about what you loved to do when you were little. Send love and forgiveness to everyone you know. I don't often recommend this, but you can go to your doctor and get medication to help with the depression.

Affirm: I AM AT PEACE. I RELAX AND ENJOY LIFE. I KNOW THAT WHATEVER I NEED TO KNOW IS REVEALED TO ME IN THE PERFECT TIME AND SPACE SEQUENCE.

Dear Louise,

I've just been diagnosed with diabetes, and I'm scared. What do I do now?

--R.G., Lisbon, Portugal

Dear R.G.,

There's nothing to fear as long as you love yourself and your body enough to give it the kind of nutrition it really needs. On a physical level, diabetes can come from a poor diet of junk foods; excess caffeine; sugar; and highly processed, fried, fatty foods. It can be brought under control by introducing whole grains into your diet and eating lots of vegetables.

On the metaphysical level, this condition is often created through a deep longing from the past and a need to control. Life may have lost its sweetness, so there's an attempt to create joy through artificial means. Many diabetics can be artificially sweet in their personalities, attempting to hide their sorrow and their own power behind a mask of sweetness and helpfulness.

Say to yourself every day: THIS MOMENT IS FILLED WITH JOY. I CHOOSE TO EXPERIENCE THE SWEETNESS OF TODAY. ALL IS WELL!

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).