You Can Heal Your Life – Louise L. Hay

“If we are willing to do the mental work, almost anything can be healed.” Louise L. Hay

While all the self-help books I’ve read talk about the impact of our thoughts and how they manifest in our lives, this is the first book that talks at length about the mind-body connection and the impact of our negative beliefs on our health.

At the beginning of the book, Hay shares her personal philosophy to provide context for what readers can expect while reading the rest of her book. Here are some of Hay’s guiding principles:

“The bottom line for everyone is, “I’m not good enough.”

“Self-approval and self-acceptance in the now are the keys to positive changes.”

“The point of power is always in the present moment.”

“Every thought we think is creating our future.”

“We create every so-called illness in our body.”

“We are each responsible for all of our experiences.”

Dozens of pages are dedicated to naming the probable thinking patterns that cause certain conditions, and providing new thought patterns to address those conditions.

Hay was a huge proponent of saying positive affirmations, especially Mirror Work – saying loving words to yourself while looking in the mirror. Sound awkward & uncomfortable? I tried it, and I can confirm in the affirmative. But I’ll keep trying cuz gosh, darn it, I’m worth it!

There’s love and caring behind Hay’s words – that’s the sense I got. Her advice comes from a place of love, but it isn’t all lovey-dovey. She makes her point simply and directly. 

Although her material may seem woo-woo or “out there” to some, I think what she says makes sense.

A worthy read for anyone who loves self help books and for those on a self-love journey.

I’ll be re-reading this book. The first round was to get a sense of the message; the second round will involve doing the inner work exercises. Maybe not all of them, but I’m going to revisit the portion of the book on forgiveness.

Gulp. Gonna need more tissues.