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,

I'm a 45-year-old woman still trying to figure out what I'm supposed to be doing with my life. I haven't had a job that I've truly enjoyed in 27 years. However, I'm thankful that I have a job, so I go to work every day to pay my bills. But I find myself happiest on the weekends.

Some say that most people don't love what they do and find their passion in things outside of work - that is, arts, crafts, and so on. I believe that if a person is doing the work they're called to do, they'll feel joyful, creative, fulfilled, and excited each day. But I'm just pretending to enjoy my job. Why is it that I can't figure out my purpose, my calling?

- B.R., Reno, Nevada

Dear B.R.

Have you ever had a thought you truly enjoyed in 27 years? I ask that seriously because it's our thinking that creates our lives and all our experiences in it. Where did you learn that you can only work to pay your bills? What sort of affirmations do you do on a daily basis? What are the things you love to do? What do you do on weekends that you could turn into a part-time business?

If you want to turn your life around and start feeling really great almost every moment of the day and night, then I suggest you get the book Ask and It Is Given (The Teachings of Abraham) by Esther and Jerry Hicks. Start by reading Process #1 on page 141, and then go back and read the book from the beginning. If my writings haven't taught you how to change your thinking, then this book surely will!

Affirm: I am open and receptive to new ways of thinking that produce fulfilling experiences at work and at play.

Dear Louise,

I've had pain in my lower back for the last four weeks, and I'm about to have x-rays. I've never had any back problems before. Today a friend told me that this pain may be caused by a psychological feeling that I don't feel supported enough in my life. To be very honest, I'm very pragmatic and don't really see the link. She also mentioned your name and being open to your thoughts, so I figured I'd give it a chance!

G.G., Geneva, Switzerland

Dear G.G.,

I too am open and pragmatic! It's enabled me to learn, and then to apply this knowledge in a very practical way.

I've written a small book called Heal Your Body: The Mental Causes for Physical Illness and the Metaphysical Way to Overcome Them. It explains how each part of the body has a mental-equivalent thought pattern that can contribute to the healing or dis-ease in your body.

The back represents support. When we feel overwhelmed by life, we often have back problems. The upper back usually represents a lack of emotional support; the middle back is guilt-carrying all that stuff from the past. The lower back is usually fear of money - that is, feeling a lack of financial support. A beginning point for you could be to use affirmations like these every day: I trust life to support me. My every need is taken care of. All my bills are paid. I am safe.

Try this new way of approaching pain or dis-ease in your body. It really works.

Dear Louise,

I believe that my body is trying to tell me something, but I don't know what I can do to help myself. For the past ten months I've been experiencing a phantom odor (something like scorched oil), which only I can smell. It comes and goes. I've learned that deep breathing helps me get through the sometimes all-encompassing cloud that seems to surround me. This condition is described as phantosmia and is rare, where as dysosmia, the loss of smell, is much more common.

I have chronic sinus issues and have over the past few months I've had acupuncture and have taken supplements and herbal and natural medicines. I've also had homeostatic blood work done to determine sensitivities, as well as numerous tests to see what might be causing this issue. For the past six weeks I've been working with a Chinese herbalist to clear up the remnants of a cold that just won't clear up. What do I do now?

M.B., Chicago, Illinois

Dear M.B.,

Sinus problems usually come from irritation to one person, perhaps someone close to you. You let this person get in your face too much. This could be a partner, a relative, or a boss. You feel that you don't have the right to breathe for yourself. The worst sinus attack I ever had was on a vacation in a small car with my in-laws. For two weeks I couldn't figure out why I couldn't breathe. As soon as the vacation was over, so was my sinus attack.

I think you somehow feel that life is closing in on you - too much to do and too much pressure. Deep breathing, meditation, yoga, conscious relaxation - all of these things could help you.

Affirm: I take in life fully and freely. I am safe. Life loves me and takes care of me. I am protected. Everything I need comes to me when I need it. 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).