In our last post, we talked about Good Vibes, Good Life—about holding on through life’s storms and choosing hope even when the skies stay gray. I thought I had already learned the deepest lessons… to survive, to stay strong, to believe that this too shall pass.
But then came this book.
And it felt like the universe, or maybe my Higher Self, whispered… “Now, it’s time to truly heal.”
You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay is the most healing, most loving book I’ve ever held in my hands. Reading it felt like receiving a scented bouquet of inspiration from my Higher Self, like a sacred love letter from the part of me I had long forgotten. This book came into my life at the exact moment I needed it most—when my heart was quietly breaking, when my soul was tired, and when I didn’t know how to begin again.
It reminded me that I was always enough.
That I was born worthy, lovable, and whole.
That the life I live is a reflection of how I’ve been taught to see myself, but that I can choose to see myself differently now.
As a mother, a foreigner, and a woman trying to rebuild her life from pain and disappointment here in Japan, I carried so many wounds quietly. I stayed strong for my daughters, smiled for the world, and kept going even when I felt unseen and unsupported in my own home. But deep inside, I was aching for something more than just survival—I was aching to remember my own worth.
As I turned the pages, I found myself crying—not because I was broken, but because the words reminded me of how whole I used to be… before the world taught me to believe otherwise. It brought up memories of the girl I once was—so pure, so full of dreams, so in love with life. And it gently reminded me that… she never left. She’s still inside me, waiting to be seen again.
It taught me that the pain I’ve carried didn’t come from being unworthy.
It came from believing that I was.
Louise Hay’s words helped me understand that my life struggles, the relationships, the chaos, even the silence, was all a reflection of how I felt about myself deep inside. And if that’s true… then I also have the power to change it. Not by fixing the outside first, but by finally loving myself from within.
This book is a soft hand on your shoulder when you feel forgotten.
It’s a mother’s embrace for the inner child who still longs to be heard.
It’s a mirror that doesn’t judge—but reflects back the love you forgot to give yourself.
If you’ve ever looked around and felt lost…
If you’ve ever been the strong one for everyone else but felt empty inside…
If you’ve ever questioned your worth after being mistreated, abandoned, or unseen—
This post is for you.
Because healing your life isn’t about being perfect.
It’s about remembering you are already enough.
It’s about finally giving yourself the love you’ve been waiting for.
So today, I invite you to walk with me—to open your heart, reflect deeply, and rediscover the powerful truth that you are not broken. You are healing. You are rising. You are remembering who you’ve always been.
Let me share with you the most life-changing lessons from You Can Heal Your Life that helped me begin this sacred journey home—to myself.
Chapter 1 – What I Believe: The First Step to Healing My Life
When I read the opening chapter, it felt like someone gently opened the window to my soul and let the light in.
“Life is very simple. What we give out, we get back.”
That one line stopped me in my tracks.
Not because I hadn’t heard something like it before, but because this time, I felt it.
As I sat there in my room, with the soft hum of the AC and my daughter quietly sleeping, I thought about how many years I had spent giving out fear… guilt… unworthiness… exhaustion. Not intentionally, of course. But when you’re constantly surviving, when you’re trying to be strong for everyone else, you don’t realize that deep down, you’ve stopped believing you deserve peace.
And without knowing it, that’s what I was giving out. That was the energy surrounding me, reflected in my relationships, my finances, and my health. My life wasn’t just happening to me—it was responding to me.
Key Lesson #1: What I believe becomes true for me.
Louise writes that our beliefs shape our experiences, and suddenly, I understood why I kept repeating the same painful patterns. I believed I had to do everything alone. I believed I wasn’t good enough to be supported. I thought life was always going to be hard because I was a foreigner here, a mother with too many responsibilities, a woman with too much baggage.
But what if… I believed something new?
What if I started saying:
“I am worthy of ease.”
“I am open to receiving love.”
“I deserve a life that feels safe and kind.”
This was the first time I felt that healing wasn’t something outside of me.
It was something I had to allow inside.
Key Lesson #2: Every thought we think is creating our future.
This lesson touched me so deeply. In the past, I used to speak to myself in ways I’d never speak to someone I love. I’d silently say, “You’re so behind,” or “You messed up again,” or “You’re not doing enough.” No wonder I felt heavy every day. I was planting seeds of shame and expecting to harvest joy.
Now, I’m learning to pause and say things like:
“I’m doing my best.”
“My pace is enough.”
“I am healing—even if it doesn’t look perfect.”
This shift feels small, but it’s everything. It’s like tending a garden with love instead of criticism. It takes time—but life begins to bloom differently.
Key Lesson #3: We are each responsible for our experiences.
This part hurt at first, but then it freed me. For a long time, I blamed others for why I felt stuck: my husband for the emotional neglect, the financial burden left under my name, the broken promises… or Japan for being too hard, too lonely, too different.
But Louise’s words helped me gently take back my power. Not in a blaming way—but in a healing way.
I realized:
No one can keep me stuck except the parts of me still clinging to pain.
And I can choose differently. I can choose healing. I can choose peace. I can choose me.
Key Lesson #4: Self-approval and self-acceptance are the keys to positive change.
This one hit home the most. I had spent years trying to fix myself, my body, my accent, my circumstances—thinking that if I finally got it all “right,” I’d be worthy of love and happiness.
But this book reminded me: I don’t have to wait until I’m perfect to love myself.
I don’t have to become someone else to be enough.
I am already enough, right here, as I am.
So now, every morning, I’ve started a small ritual. I look at myself in the mirror—not with judgment, but with kindness. I whisper, “I love you. I accept you.” Sometimes I cry. Sometimes I smile. But always, I feel something shift.
Key Lesson #5: The Point of Power Is Always in the Present Moment
One of the most powerful truths Louise Hay shares in this chapter is this:
The point of power is always in the present moment.
When I first read that line, I paused. It was like someone softly turned on the light in a room I didn’t know I was still sitting in.
I used to spend so much of my energy either regretting the past or fearing the future. I’d replay the choices I wish I hadn’t made, the words I wish I had said, the red flags I wish I hadn’t ignored. And then I’d worry about tomorrow—about bills, my children’s future, what will happen if I don’t make it, how I’ll ever stand on my own.
But here’s what this book taught me:
I can’t rewrite my past, and I can’t control the future.
But I can choose my thoughts, my energy, and my love for myself right now.
That’s where my power lives—not in fixing what’s behind me or stressing about what’s ahead.
My power is in this moment, where I can decide to think a kinder thought,
to say, “I am safe now,”
to believe, even just a little, that I deserve something better.
I remember one night here in Japan—my daughters were asleep, the house was quiet, and I was sitting on the floor holding a letter from a loan company, another reminder of the debts left under my name. I felt crushed, ashamed, and scared. I could have spiraled again into hopelessness.
But instead… I closed my eyes. I took a deep breath. And I whispered:
“Right now, I choose peace. Right now, I forgive myself for trusting too much. Right now, I choose to believe in a new beginning.”
It didn’t erase the situation, but it changed how I showed up in it. It shifted something inside me.
That’s the miracle of the present moment.
Reflection: No matter what your past looks like…
No matter how long you’ve felt stuck, small, or broken…
You can choose again. You can choose differently. And you can begin—right now.
You don’t have to have it all figured out.
You just have to take one loving breath, one kinder thought, one brave decision…
And let that moment lead you back to yourself.
Chapter 2 — What Is the Problem? Facing the Real Pain Beneath the Surface
When I first opened to Chapter 2 of You Can Heal Your Life, I expected it to be about stress, money, relationships, or physical pain. And it was—kind of. But what shook me the most was Louise Hay’s powerful truth:
No matter what we think our problem is—it’s never really the problem. The real problem is how we feel about ourselves.
I had to pause and sit with that.
Because for years, I thought my problems were the things happening to me:
- My husband’s financial irresponsibility left me drowning in debt.
- The emotional emptiness of a relationship made me feel invisible.
- The endless pressure of raising two children alone in a foreign land.
- The loneliness of not having family here in Japan.
- The exhaustion of carrying dreams, I didn’t even know if I was allowed to chase.
But what if those weren’t the real problems?
What if the real issue was what I believed about myself underneath it all?
What if I had spent years thinking:
“I’m not good enough.”
“I don’t deserve better.”
“Maybe this is all I’ll ever have.”
That realization… broke me open.
The Outer Is Always a Reflection of the Inner
Louise writes that whatever challenge we’re facing—whether it’s illness, heartbreak, money problems, or stress—it’s only a symptom. The root cause is always inside us. It lives in the way we see ourselves, in the thoughts we think every single day, and in the beliefs we unknowingly repeat like background music in our minds.
At first, I resisted that idea.
I didn’t choose the betrayal.
I didn’t create the silence in my marriage.
I didn’t want the burden of starting over from scratch in a foreign country.
But slowly, I began to understand what she meant.
It’s not about blame. It’s about awakening.
If I could recognize that my pain had roots in how I felt about myself, then I could also choose to plant something new.
Emotional Pain That Looks Like Practical Problems
In Japan, life can be quiet, but that doesn’t mean it’s peaceful. Many times, in public, in the restaurant with my daughters, smiling politely, holding it all together. I’d manage the bills, the school paperwork, the meals, and the daily routine. But inside, I felt like I was carrying a weight no one could see.
Louise helped me realize that behind my “practical” problems were deeper emotional wounds:
- The money stress? A reflection of my fear that I wasn’t capable or worthy of abundance.
- The relationship struggles? A mirror of the love I had stopped giving to myself.
- The fatigue? A symptom of years of self-neglect, overgiving, and never feeling safe to rest.
The Good News: If the Problem Is Inside, So Is the Solution
Louise’s words gave me hope in the most unexpected way:
If I helped create my inner suffering by believing I wasn’t enough…
Then I could heal my life by believing something new.
The most empowering truth she shared was this:
Loving yourself is the solution to every problem.
At first, that felt too simple. Too soft. Too “ideal.”
But the more I let it sink in, the more I realized how true it was.
Because the day I began talking kindly to myself…
The day I began saying “I matter,” even when no one else said it…
The day I began taking up space, speaking my truth, and no longer apologizing for needing rest—
That was the day I began to heal.
Reflection: What If You’re Not Broken—Just Unseen?
If you’ve been feeling stuck in pain, debt, exhaustion, or heartbreak…
If you’ve been asking, “Why does this keep happening to me?”
Maybe the answer isn’t “out there.”
Maybe the answer begins when you ask yourself:
“What do I truly believe I deserve?”
“Where am I abandoning myself just to feel loved or safe?”
“What if the life I want begins when I finally love the person I already am?”
My Gentle Reminder to You
Living abroad has taught me that strength isn’t about never falling apart.
It’s about choosing—every single day—to pick yourself back up with love.
And so I ask you today:
What if your problem isn’t your life falling apart… but your soul begging to be seen again?
What if the healing you seek doesn’t start with fixing the world… but with learning to befriend the beautiful, brave, wounded, and worthy soul inside you?
That’s what this chapter gave me. And I hope… it gives you the same.
Chapter 3 — Where Does It Come From? Unlearning the Pain That Was Never Ours to Keep
By the time I reached Chapter 3, something inside me had already begun to shift. I had cried, reflected, and gently started facing the truth that my problems weren’t just about my marriage, my finances, or my life as a foreigner in Japan. They were about something much deeper:
What I had been taught to believe about myself.
Louise Hay writes that all of our beliefs—the good ones, the harmful ones, the ones we’re not even aware of—were learned.
We weren’t born thinking we’re not enough.
We weren’t born afraid to dream, afraid to rest, or afraid to speak up.
We learned that.
And the powerful truth is this:
If we learned it, we can unlearn it.
It All Begins in Childhood
Louise explains that between birth and age five, our subconscious mind is wide open. We absorb everything without question—from the way our parents talk about love and money, to how we’re treated when we cry, speak, or express ourselves. This becomes the foundation of our self-image.
When I read this, I froze.
Because suddenly, I understood where my deepest wounds came from.
I remembered being a little girl in the Philippines—so curious, full of love, full of dreams, wanting nothing more than to be accepted. But early on, I learned to be quiet. To hide my feelings. I walked carefully so I wouldn’t upset anyone. I learned that being “good” meant being small.
I wasn’t allowed to speak up because I’m the youngest. And when I did, it was either ignored or not heard. I grew up with my grandma taking care of me, my sister, and my father when I was in high school, then back to my sister after high school. It’s like I had to accept what life gave me and live with it. I didn’t know it at the time, but that planted the seed of a belief that would follow me into adulthood and across oceans:
“What I feel doesn’t matter.”
“My voice isn’t important.”
“I have to please others to be safe.”
Even now, living in Japan, I still catch myself in that same silent struggle—shrinking, people-pleasing, hesitating to ask for help, even when I’m drowning.
We Become What We Hear and See
Louise says our parents were our earliest teachers, and they could only teach us what they knew. They passed on their beliefs—about love, money, health, and self-worth—without realizing they were shaping our inner world.
Sometimes that makes me cry. Not from blame, but from compassion. I see now that those who raised me were also hurting. They didn’t know how to give what they never received.
And as a mother now myself, I carry that lesson close to my heart. I want to raise my daughters differently. I want them to know their worth isn’t based on how much they do for others, but simply because of who they are.
But to do that, I know I have to heal myself first.
Repetition Creates Belief—But Belief Can Be Rewritten
Another truth Louise shares in this chapter is so simple, yet life-changing:
“Beliefs are just thoughts we keep thinking. And we can choose to think something new.”
At first, I didn’t believe I could change my inner story. The voice in my head had been so loud for so long:
“You’re too much.”
“You’re too late.”
“You should be grateful for what you have.”
“Dreams are a luxury you can’t afford.”
But now, I’m slowly rewriting the script. Gently. Daily. Repeatedly.
I remind myself:
- I am allowed to want more without guilt.
- I am allowed to rest without shame.
- I am allowed to heal even if no one claps for me.
And you are too.
Reflection: You Are Not Your Story—You Are the Author
We all inherited emotional patterns from childhood. We didn’t choose them, but we don’t have to keep them. We don’t have to keep believing we’re unworthy, or too broken, or too late to heal.
We have the power to choose again.
Today, as a woman walking her healing journey in a foreign country, with two daughters watching me and a lifetime of pain behind me, I’ve decided:
I will not pass down the pain I was handed.
I will not let old beliefs dictate my future.
I will not let my past define my possibilities.
I am rewriting my story—one thought, one belief, one loving affirmation at a time.
And if you’re here reading this, maybe this is your moment too.
To say: I deserve better. I deserve love. I deserve to begin again.
Not because the world says so, but because you are ready to believe it for yourself.
A Gentle Invitation to Heal
If you’ve been wondering why life keeps repeating the same painful patterns…
If you feel like no matter how hard you try, things just don’t change…
Take a quiet moment today and ask yourself:
“What old beliefs am I still living by?”
“Whose voice do I hear when I feel unworthy?”
“Am I ready to believe something new?”
Because healing doesn’t begin with doing more.
It begins with remembering that you are already worthy of a life filled with love, peace, and freedom.
And you don’t need anyone’s permission to begin—just your own.
Chapter 4 — Is It True? Breaking Free From the Lies That Once Felt Like Truth
One of the most powerful turning points in my healing journey came when I stopped asking, “What’s wrong with me?” and started asking something much deeper:
“Where did this belief come from?”
“And… is it even true?”
In this chapter of You Can Heal Your Life, Louise Hay invites us to look at the limiting beliefs we’ve been carrying — quietly, unconsciously — and hold them up to the light.
Because so often, the pain we feel doesn’t come from what’s happening around us…
It comes from what we keep telling ourselves.
The Stories We Don’t Even Question
Growing up, we absorb so much without even realizing it. We’re handed beliefs like:
- “You’ll never be good enough.”
- “You have to work hard to deserve anything.”
- “You can’t trust anyone.”
- “You should be ashamed of wanting more.”
- “Be quiet. Don’t make trouble. Don’t ask for too much.”
And because we heard these ideas so young, so often, and from people we loved or feared, we didn’t question them. We accepted them as facts.
As for me, I lived most of my life believing:
“I’m not enough.”
“I have to do everything perfectly to be loved.”
“I’m too emotional, too sensitive, too much.”
“If I rest or speak up, I’ll be abandoned.”
Even as a mother living in Japan — building a life, trying to hold everything together, raising two daughters in a place where I sometimes feel invisible — I found myself reacting to life based on those old scripts.
But then, I asked the question Louise teaches us in this chapter:
“Is it true?”
And slowly, something began to crack open.
What Happens When You Question a Belief?
I looked at my belief:
“I am not enough.”
I asked:
“Is it true?”
And the honest answer?
No. It’s not.
It might feel true, because I’ve heard it so many times — from voices in the past, from moments of rejection, from the silence of people who should’ve cared.
But it’s not actually true.
Because here’s what is true:
- I wake up every day and do the best I can.
- I show up for my daughters with love and patience, even when I feel broken.
- I have survived heartbreak, loneliness, and starting over — and I’m still here.
- I’ve created beauty from pain.
- I am healing. I am growing. I am trying.
That doesn’t sound like someone who’s “not enough.”
That sounds like someone who’s incredibly brave.
We Get to Choose Again
Louise reminds us that just because a belief is old… doesn’t mean it’s true.
And just because something was true once, doesn’t mean it has to stay true now.
So if we’ve been taught to believe:
“I’ll never succeed,”
“I always attract the wrong people.”
“I’m not meant to be happy,”
We can stop, breathe, and ask:
Who taught me this?
Why did I believe it?
Is it loving? Is it helpful?
Do I still want to carry this belief into my future?
We can say:
That may have been true once.
But it’s not true anymore.
And I chose something new.
Reflection: The Freedom to Question Everything
Living as a foreigner in Japan, I often felt like I didn’t belong. Like I had to prove myself just to be accepted. Like I had to stay small, quiet, and grateful—even when I was hurting.
But now I know:
I get to challenge those stories.
I get to replace guilt with grace.
I get to say, “I am enough, just as I am.”
You do too.
You are not the voice of shame.
You are not the lies you were taught to believe.
You are not broken—you were just misinformed.
And now… You get to tell a different story.
A Loving Invitation
Take a few quiet minutes today and write down one belief you’ve carried that makes you feel small or stuck.
Then ask:
“Is it really true?”
“Would I ever say this to someone I love?”
If the answer is no… then maybe it’s time to let it go.
Because healing doesn’t always start with changing your life.
Sometimes, it starts with changing your mind.
Chapter 5 — What We Do Now? The First Brave Steps Toward Healing Your Life
By the time I reached Chapter 5, I felt like I had just opened an old box I had buried deep inside, filled with old wounds, limiting beliefs, and stories I never even questioned.
And now, standing in front of it all, this chapter gently asks:
Now that you see it… what will you do with it?
Louise Hay reminds us that awareness is only the beginning. Healing begins when we take that awareness and make a new choice. A kinder choice. A conscious, loving one.
And that’s where the real power lies: not in changing everything overnight, but in choosing something different, one thought, one belief, one action at a time.
We Begin Where We Are — Not Where We Think We Should Be
One thing I love so much about this chapter is that Louise doesn’t overwhelm us with pressure. She doesn’t say, “Fix yourself fast,” or “You should already be healed.”
Instead, she teaches something much gentler and more honest:
You begin exactly where you are.
For me, that meant starting from a place of exhaustion.
I was emotionally drained from holding a family together while silently falling apart inside.
Financially burdened by debts I didn’t create but had to carry.
Physically tired from always “doing,” never resting.
Spiritually lost, wondering if life would ever feel light again.
But I started anyway.
Not by fixing everything…
But by whispering to myself in the mirror one morning:
“I want to learn how to love you.”
That was enough.
Be Willing To Change
Louise says we don’t need to have it all figured out.
We just need to be willing.
Willing to change.
Willing to forgive.
Willing to believe in something better.
Willingness is the doorway. And that’s all I had at first.
Some days, I still hear the old voices in my head:
“You’re not enough.”
“You don’t deserve better.”
“It’s too late for you.”
But I kept showing up anyway.
I kept reading, writing, crying, affirming, and forgiving.
I kept saying, “I’m willing to heal, even if I don’t know how.”
Because for so long, I thought healing meant having a perfect plan. But this chapter reminded me that healing begins with the smallest spark: the willingness to try.
And I was willing.
Willing to believe that I deserved more.
Willing to speak my truth even when my voice trembled.
Willing to show up for myself, not just for my daughters, but for me.
And that simple willingness began to unlock everything for me.
Mental Housecleaning
This part of the chapter really shook me. Louise calls it housecleaning — not just cleaning your home, but cleansing your inner home:
- Your mind
- Your heart
- Your beliefs
- Your habits
- Your self-talk
I realized my mental “house” was full of clutter:
- Thoughts of fear and lack
- Deep resentment and unspoken grief
- Limiting beliefs that were never really mine
- A lifetime of putting others first and myself last
So I started cleaning—gently.
I wrote letters I never sent.
I cried out old pain.
I forgave people who were never sorry.
I even stood in front of the mirror, trembling, and whispered:
“I forgive you… And I will never abandon you again.”
That was the beginning of my inner freedom.
There Are Many Ways to Change
What I love most about this chapter is Louise’s reassurance that there’s no one right way to heal.
Some people meditate.
Some journal.
Some pray.
Some walk in silence.
Some speak affirmations.
Some seek therapy.
Some create art, music, and poetry.
For me, healing became a mixture of all of the above, and mostly, it became about telling myself the truth.
- The truth was that I was exhausted and needed to rest.
- The truth that I deserved joy, not just survival.
- The truth is that I could build a beautiful life, even after pain.
There is no single path — just the one that brings you back to your own heart.
The Courage to Begin Again
This chapter reminded me that healing doesn’t happen all at once.
It’s a process — a soft, sacred, and deeply personal journey.
And you don’t need to wait for the “perfect” moment.
You don’t need anyone’s permission.
You don’t need to have all the answers.
You just need to begin.
From One Woman to Another
To the woman reading this who feels overwhelmed by all she wants to change…
To the mother who gives and gives until there’s nothing left…
To the foreigner who feels like she doesn’t belong…
To the soul who’s been waiting for a sign—
This is it.
You don’t have to carry the past forever.
You don’t have to prove your worth.
You don’t have to stay silent any longer.
You just have to be willing.
Willing to choose love.
Willing to believe in healing.
Willing to remember that your story is still being written—and this time, you’re holding the pen.
Chapter 6 — Resistance to Change: When You Know What Needs to Change… But You’re Still Afraid
There’s a moment in every healing journey that feels like standing at the edge of a cliff.
You know what needs to change. You’re more aware than ever. You’ve cried the tears, written the journal entries, whispered the affirmations…
And yet, you can’t move.
That’s what this chapter is about.
Not the problem itself, but the inner resistance that rises right when we’re ready to grow.
Louise Hay reminds us here with so much gentleness:
“Awareness is the first step to healing… but willingness is what opens the door.”
And if you’re feeling stuck right now, frozen between who you’ve been and who you’re becoming, know that you’re not doing it wrong. You’re just meeting your resistance. And that’s where real change begins.
Resistance Is Not Bad — It’s Part of the Process
Living in Japan has taught me how to adapt.
But healing taught me that adapting isn’t always the same as evolving. Sometimes I adjusted to pain I didn’t deserve. I tolerated things I never questioned. I resisted change not because I didn’t want it, but because I was scared.
I was scared of who I would become if I finally chose myself.
Louise explains that resistance comes in many forms:
- Procrastination
- Tiredness
- Craving approval
- Self-doubt
- Comparison
- Even sabotaging things that are going well
What I didn’t realize was that resistance is simply fear dressed in different clothing.
Fear of losing love.
Fear of failure.
Fear of being “too much.”
Fear of being alone.
But as Louise says:
“The only thing we’re ever really resisting is loving ourselves.”
The Power of Awareness: Learning from the Patterns
One of the most healing parts of this chapter is how Louise reframes our stuckness. She says:
Repeated patterns are our teachers. They show us what we need.
This hit me deeply.
I kept repeating patterns of:
- Attracting an emotionally unavailable partner
- Putting everyone else’s needs before mine
- Dimming my light so I wouldn’t make anyone uncomfortable
And at first, I judged myself for it. I thought: What’s wrong with me?
But now I see it differently.
These patterns weren’t punishments.
They were invitations to look closer.
They weren’t signs I was broken—they were signs that I had needs I had been ignoring.
Louise invites us to become compassionately aware—to observe our resistance, not with shame, but with curiosity.
So now, when I feel stuck, I ask:
“What part of me still feels unsafe?”
“What belief am I still holding onto?”
“What need am I ignoring in myself?”
And that awareness softens everything.
It’s Not About Discipline or Willpower
This chapter completely rewrote what I believed about change.
Louise says that healing isn’t about pushing harder, trying more, or forcing yourself.
It’s not about being “stronger.”
It’s about being kinder.
The belief “I am unworthy” is one of the biggest sources of resistance. It creates:
- Procrastination
- Jealousy of others’ success
- Deep resentment when someone else is happy
- Guilt for resting
- Shame for dreaming
I lived with that belief for years.
When I saw someone else thriving, I smiled on the outside—but inside, I felt a sharp ache: “Why not me?”
I thought I was just lazy. Or weak. Or undisciplined.
But what I really was… was hurting.
And Louise helped me understand:
When we feel worthy, doors open. Energy flows. Joy becomes possible.
Leave Others Alone — Focus on You
Another lesson from this chapter that humbled me was this:
“Leave your friends alone.”
We can’t heal anyone else. Not our partners. Not our parents. Not our children. Not even our friends.
I used to think that if I could just help someone see, they’d change.
But healing doesn’t work that way.
So now, I focus on my own healing.
And I trust that by becoming whole, I can inspire—not fix—those around me.
Mirror Work: Facing Yourself with Love
This chapter also introduces one of Louise’s most powerful tools: mirror work.
It’s the practice of looking yourself in the eyes and saying:
“I love you.”
“I’m willing to change.”
“You are enough.”
The first time I tried this, I cried. I couldn’t even look at myself.
But I kept showing up.
Now, I say:
“Annie, I forgive you. I love you. You’re safe with me.”
And every time I do, the resistance inside me softens a little more.
Reflection: You Are Already Enough to Begin
This chapter reminds us that resistance is not a dead-end. It’s a doorway.
A sign you’re close to a breakthrough.
So if you feel stuck… slow down.
Listen gently.
Ask yourself:
“What am I afraid of?”
“What belief am I ready to release?”
“What would I do differently if I knew I was already enough?”
Because you are.
You are not lazy.
You are not behind.
You are not broken.
You’re just someone who’s learning how to love herself again—and that is holy work.
From My Heart to Yours
Healing isn’t about doing more.
It’s about releasing the need for the pain.
And that release? It doesn’t come through force.
It comes through willingness.
So be gentle. Stay curious.
Show up in front of the mirror and say:
“I’m willing to release this. I don’t need this pain to feel worthy anymore.”
That’s how healing begins. Not with a battle, but with surrender.
Chapter 7 — How to Change: Healing Doesn’t Start With the World. It Starts With One Thought.
When I first read Chapter 7, I felt both comforted and called out — in the most loving way.
Because after all the awareness, tears, realizations, and resistance…
Louise Hay now gently places the power back in our hands and says:
“You don’t have to wait for life to change.
You can begin right here, right now—by changing your thoughts.”
It felt like a sacred truth:
The most life-changing transformation I’ll ever make… begins with what I believe in this moment.
Releasing the Need
Louise writes something truly profound in this chapter:
“If you didn’t have a need, it wouldn’t be a problem in your life.”
That shook me.
She’s not blaming us for our pain. She’s helping us see that every problem-every fear, pattern, or emotional wound—is tied to a deeper belief we haven’t yet released.
I used to wonder:
Why do I always attract emotionally unavailable people?
Why do I sabotage opportunities when they finally arrive?
Why do I stay quiet when I need help?
Louise helped me see:
Because some part of me still believed I didn’t deserve more.
So the question shifted from “Why does this keep happening?” to
“What am I ready to release?”
Your Mind Is a Tool — Not the Master
In this chapter, Louise reminds us that our mind is a tool, and it can either be our greatest support or our harshest critic.
Living in Japan as a foreigner, it’s easy to get lost in my head. To doubt myself. To feel different, small, invisible. My mind often became a trap of overthinking, anxiety, and comparison.
But Louise teaches this simple, empowering truth:
“The only thing you ever really have control over is your current thought.”
Not the past.
Not what someone said.
Not how people treat you.
Not even tomorrow.
But you can choose how you respond to this very moment.
And that one choice? That’s where your healing begins.
Controlling the Mind, Gently
Louise doesn’t encourage fighting your thoughts — she teaches us to redirect them with love.
Instead of letting the mind spiral into:
“I’m not enough. It’s too late. I’ve failed too many times.”
She invites us to say:
“That was my old story. I’m choosing something new.”
For me, that sounds like:
- “I am safe now.”
- “I’m allowed to start over.”
- “I trust the timing of my life.”
- “I don’t need to suffer to be worthy of joy.”
The more I practice this, the more my life softens — not because everything around me changes, but because I begin to change from the inside out.
Physical Releasing: Letting Pain Leave the Body
Louise speaks about the importance of physical release—how our emotions live in our bodies. And until we let them out, they stay trapped.
This made me reflect on the times I:
- Held back tears to stay “strong”
- Smiled through pain because I didn’t want to “burden” anyone
- Silently carried heartbreak while pretending to be okay
But healing can’t happen in silence.
Now, when I feel overwhelmed, I let it move.
I cry. I breathe deeply. I stretch. I journal. I walk.
Sometimes I just place a hand on my heart and say:
“I’m listening. I’m here. Let it out.”
Letting the body release is an act of deep self-love.
Letting the Past Keep You Stuck — Or Freeing Yourself With Forgiveness
Forgiveness isn’t about saying, “What happened was okay.”
It’s about saying:
“I refuse to let what hurt me keep defining me.”
Louise explains that holding on to pain keeps us tied to it.
And when we release it, we create space for joy, peace, and new beginnings.
Forgiveness was the hardest step for me.
Especially when I thought: “But they never apologized. They don’t deserve forgiveness.”
But forgiveness, I learned, is not for them. It’s for me.
It’s saying: “I choose to be free.”
And slowly… I became lighter.
Awareness in Action — Not Just a Thought, But a Practice
Louise reminds us that change doesn’t come from knowing the theory.
It comes from practicing it every day.
Every time I stand in front of the mirror and say, “I love you,” I’m putting awareness into action.
Every time I notice a negative thought and gently choose a new one, I’m healing.
Every time I let myself rest without guilt, I’m rewriting the old beliefs.
Healing becomes real not when it’s dramatic, but when it’s consistent.
Change Begins With One Thought
You don’t need to figure it all out today.
You don’t need to be perfect to begin.
You just need to be willing to change.
Willing to release the pain.
Willing to choose peace over punishment.
Willing to believe that healing is not just possible—it’s already happening.
Start by controlling the only thing you can:
this moment… this breath… this thought.
And from there, your new life begins.
Chapter 8 — Building the New: From Surviving to Blossoming to Creating a Life That Loves You Back
There’s something sacred about rebuilding your life from the inside out.
After so many years of pain, self-doubt, emotional exhaustion, and playing small just to survive, this chapter was the moment in You Can Heal Your Life that made my heart whisper…
“Yes. I’m ready to begin again.”
This chapter is all about what’s next.
Now that we’ve let go of the old beliefs, old pain, and old stories…
What do we do?
We build the new. Gently. Intentionally. With love.
What You Put Your Attention On Grows
Louise opens this chapter with one of her most life-changing teachings:
“What we give our attention to grows.”
For so long, I gave all my attention to what was wrong:
- What I didn’t have
- What others had done
- What I lacked
- How far behind I felt
- How unworthy I believed I was
But I started to notice something… the more I focused on lack, the more lack I experienced.
The more I focused on fear, the more fear surrounded me.
So I made a new decision:
“From now on, I will nourish what I want to grow.”
I started focusing on my healing, not my hurting.
On my dreams, not my doubts.
On the love I was ready to give myself, not the love I didn’t receive from others.
That one shift started to change everything.
The Process of Loving the Self
Loving yourself isn’t a destination. It’s a daily practice. A lifestyle. A quiet revolution.
Louise reminds us that self-love doesn’t come from perfection. It grows from kindness, especially in the moments you feel broken.
For me, self-love looked like:
- Saying “no” without guilt
- Taking a nap without shame
- Allowing myself to feel, even when the feelings were messy
- Speaking kindly to the woman in the mirror
- Choosing peace over people-pleasing
Some days I felt strong. Some days I didn’t.
But I kept practicing. Because loving myself became a promise I made to the little girl inside me — the one who was always trying to be “good enough.”
Now, I tell her every morning:
“You don’t have to earn love. You are already lovable.”
Training the Mind — One Thought at a Time
Our minds are like gardens, Louise says. And our thoughts? They are the seeds.
So every day, we’re planting something — whether we realize it or not.
The question is: What are you planting today?
- Are you planting fear or faith?
- Doubt or trust?
- Guilt or grace?
- Criticism or compassion?
I used to let my mind run wild with worry.
Now, I’m learning to train it with love.
When I catch myself in negative self-talk, I pause and gently say:
“That’s the old me. I choose a new thought now.”
It’s not about never having a negative thought — it’s about not feeding it.
Just like we don’t water weeds, we don’t feed fear.
Put Your Awareness into Practice
Awareness means nothing if we don’t act on it.
And Louise shows us that true change begins when we live our healing.
- Saying affirmations in the mirror
- Writing loving letters to your inner child
- Forgiving even when no one says sorry
- Allowing yourself to rest, not as a reward, but as a right
In Japan, I often felt like I had to keep it all together, especially as a foreigner, a mom, and a woman in survival mode. But now I know that taking care of myself is a radical act of resistance.
So every time I choose self-compassion over self-criticism…
Every time I speak to myself with tenderness…
Every time I do one small thing that honors my worth…
I am building something new.
Deserving of Your Good
This was one of Louise’s boldest teachings — and one that made me cry:
“We do not get what we want. We get what we believe we deserve.”
That line hit me so hard.
Because for years, I was working so hard for a better life…
But deep inside, I didn’t truly believe I deserved it.
Louise helped me see that when we don’t feel deserving, we block the very things we pray for.
Love. Peace. Abundance. Freedom. Rest.
So now, I say this every single day:
“I deserve a life that feels good to live.”
“I am worthy of love, peace, joy, and ease.”
“It is safe for me to receive.”
When you start believing you’re worthy… the world responds in the most magical ways.
A Holistic Philosophy — Healing All of You
Louise teaches that true healing is holistic. It’s not just the mind. It’s not just the body. It’s all of you.
So ask yourself today:
- What is my body asking for?
- What does my heart need right now?
- What thoughts am I ready to stop believing?
- What can I do today to show myself I am loved?
You are not one-dimensional.
You are a living, breathing, feeling, divine being — and your healing must honor all of you.
Reflection: This Is the Beginning of Something Beautiful
You are not behind.
You are not late.
You are not broken.
You are becoming.
And as Louise says, healing happens one loving thought at a time.
So start small. Start soft.
Plant one loving seed today.
And water it with kindness, patience, and hope.
Because the life you’ve always dreamed of is waiting to bloom — and this time, it’s being built by love.
Chapter 9 — Daily Work: How I Begin Again Each Morning, Just Like Louise
There’s something so sacred about how Louise Hay describes her mornings.
She wakes up with gratitude.
Moves her body gently.
Nourishes herself with intention.
Speaks love into the mirror.
And reminds herself every single day that all is well.
Reading this chapter felt like witnessing someone deeply in love with her life — not because it’s perfect, but because it’s intentional.
And it made me realize:
Healing is not something we do once and forget.
It’s something we recommit to every single morning.
My Mornings in Japan — Inspired by Louise’s Daily Work
Living in Japan has taught me to slow down and appreciate the small things—like the quiet of the early morning before my daughters wake up, the warmth of coffee in my hands, the stillness that whispers, “You made it through another night.”
Louise begins her day with gratitude, and so do I.
Even before I open my eyes, I whisper silently to God, the universe:
Thank You.
Thank You for my daughters.
Thank You for this bed, for my body, for another chance to live and heal.
Thank You for the courage to rebuild my life.
Thank You for this home, even if it’s humble.
Thank You for my growth.
Thank You for my strength.
Thank You for not giving up on me.
Creating a Sacred Space for Myself
After I wash my face and drink water, I light a small candle on the table.
That little flame reminds me: The light is always there — even inside me.
Then, I sit in stillness. Sometimes with soft music. Sometimes in silence.
I say affirmations softly to myself:
I am safe now.
I am exactly where I’m meant to be.
I forgive myself for all the times I abandoned me.
I love myself through the mess and the beauty.
I am healing, and that is more than enough.
This is not about being spiritual in a fancy way. It’s about being present. It’s about choosing love—even when life still feels uncertain.
Nourishment with Gratitude
Louise says she thanks the Earth Mother for her food, and that touched me deeply.
So now, as I prepare a simple breakfast—maybe rice and tongeru soup, or a bowl of fruits and tea—I pause and say:
Thank you, God, thank you, Universe, for this nourishment.
Thank you, food, for fueling me to keep going.
Thank you, life, for this moment of peace.
Even in hardship, gratitude brings me home.
Moving My Body with Joy
Louise bounced on her trampoline. I stretch and walk.
Sometimes I turn on gentle music and just move. Not to burn calories, but to connect.
To remind my body that I’m listening now.
That it’s safe.
That I’m no longer punishing it for not looking or feeling “perfect.”
This body carried me through so much. It deserves love.
So I move in ways that honor it, not punish it.
Mirror Work — The Moment That Changed Everything
Before lunch, Louise looks into the mirror and says:
“Louise, you are wonderful, and I love you.”
That felt awkward at first for me.
But slowly, it became my favorite ritual.
Now I look into my mirror and say:
“Annie, you are worthy. You are loved. I love you so much.”
“You’ve survived what others don’t even imagine.”
“You are safe now. You are not alone anymore.”
“This is one of the best days of your life.”
“Everything is working out for your highest good.”
“Whatever you need to know is being revealed to you.”
Some days I cry. Some days I smile.
But every time, I feel more whole.
Planting New Seeds Every Day
Louise reminds us that healing is like planting a garden.
Every kind of thought is a seed.
Every loving action is a seed.
Every moment we choose peace over panic is a seed.
And with time and care, they blossom.
In Japan, where I once felt like I didn’t belong…
I’m now planting seeds of joy, courage, faith, and self-trust.
I don’t wait for the perfect life to begin living with love.
I begin now, and let love create the life I desire.
Believing I Deserve My Good
The biggest shift this chapter brought me was this:
I don’t have to “earn” my happiness anymore.
I don’t have to suffer first.
I don’t have to wait for approval.
I only have to believe that I am worthy.
Because when you believe that you deserve love, peace, joy, and success—your life starts to reflect that belief.
We don’t manifest what we want.
We manifest what we believe we deserve.
So I’m practicing this daily:
“I deserve rest.”
“I deserve to be supported.”
“I deserve to live a life I love.”
And the more I believe it… the more real it becomes.
Reflection: Begin Your Healing, One Morning at a Time
You don’t need to have it all figured out.
You don’t need to be healed already.
You just need to begin with one small loving act.
Wake up tomorrow and whisper:
“Thank you.”
Look in the mirror and say:
“I love you. I’m listening. Let’s try again today.”
Move your body with care. Nourish yourself with gratitude.
Speak words that build your soul, not break it.
And most of all:
Believe that you deserve the life you’re creating.
Not someday. But now.
Because healing isn’t about reaching a final destination.
It’s about choosing love in the everyday moments.
Chapter 10 — Relationships: Attracting Love by Becoming the Love You Seek
When I read this chapter, I had to pause.
Because Louise Hay doesn’t talk about love in the way most people do. She doesn’t promise you a soulmate or tell you how to make someone stay.
Instead, she lovingly asks:
“What do your relationships reflect about how you feel about yourself?”
And that question stayed with me.
Because for so long, I believed that love came from outside — from being needed, wanted, chosen. I gave and gave, hoping someone would finally give back. I stayed silent to keep the peace. I sacrificed my dreams so I wouldn’t be abandoned.
But Louise taught me something sacred:
“We can only receive the love we believe we deserve.”
And that was the beginning of a new chapter in my heart.
What You Attract Reflects What You Believe
Living in Japan, I carried so many dreams in my heart… and so many wounds too.
I wanted to feel safe, loved, and seen, but I often attracted relationships that mirrored my deepest fears instead of my deepest hopes.
- Partners who were emotionally distant
- Friends who took but rarely gave
- Moments where I felt invisible, even in a room full of people
At first, I blamed them.
But slowly, I asked myself:
“Where am I still abandoning myself?”
“Where am I giving what I don’t even give to me?”
That was the turning point.
Because we don’t attract what we want.
We attract what we are willing to accept, and that often comes from our self-worth.
Attracting Love Begins Within
Louise says:
“When you truly love who you are, you become a magnet for love.”
And it’s true.
I used to try so hard to be lovable to others.
But I forgot to love myself first.
Now, I look in the mirror and say:
“I love you.”
“You are enough.”
“You are worthy of a love that feels safe, kind, and true.”
It still feels tender. Some days, I still hear the old voices: “You’re too much. You don’t deserve more. Just settle.”
But I lovingly tell those voices:
“That was the old me. She survived. But I’m building a new life now.”
You Don’t Need to Chase Love — You Become It
One of the most healing lessons Louise offers is this:
“Stop chasing love. Start living it.”
That means:
- Set boundaries without guilt
- Speak kindly to yourself
- Walk away from what no longer honors you
- Celebrate yourself, even if no one else claps
- Trust that love is not something you earn — it’s something you remember
When I stopped begging for love, I started attracting peace.
When I stopped trying to fix others, I started healing myself.
When I stopped proving my worth, I started reclaiming it.
Healing Relationships with Others
Louise also explains that our relationships give us opportunities to grow.
Every heartbreak, every betrayal, every wound… it taught me something.
- That I was holding onto old pain from childhood
- That I believed love had to hurt to be real
- That I feared abandonment so much, I abandoned myself first
But now, I see those relationships not as failures, but as mirrors.
Each one reflected where I still needed to return to myself.
“As I heal, my relationships heal too.”
Some people naturally drift away. Others stay and grow. And some new souls appear — those who feel like gentle reminders from the universe: “See? This is the love you deserve.”
A Love List — Inspired by Louise
Louise recommends writing down the qualities you want in a partner — not just physical traits, but emotional and spiritual ones.
So I did.
I wrote:
- Emotionally available
- Honest and safe
- Patient and kind
- Supports my dreams
- Gentle with my heart
- Loves my children
- Grows with me, not against me
But then… I asked:
“Am I being those things to myself?”
That’s when everything shifted.
Now, I work on becoming the partner I desire.
Reflection: You Are Already Love
You don’t need to chase love.
You don’t need to fix yourself to earn it.
You don’t need to prove anything.
You are already loved.
And as you heal the relationship you have with yourself, the world will rise to meet you.
So look in the mirror today. Hold your gaze. Say:
“I am lovable. I am worthy. I am enough.”
Because you are.
And the love you dream of?
It’s not a fantasy.
It’s the natural reflection of how deeply you’re learning to love yourself again.
Chapter 11 — Work: Turning Your Daily Tasks into Love Made Visible
When I reached Chapter 11, something inside me softened. For the first time, I felt seen not just as a woman trying to survive, but as a soul who could actually thrive, even through work.
Louise Hay gently reframes work not as a burden or punishment, but as:
“Love made visible.”
That simple truth moved me.
Because for most of my life, I never saw work that way.
From Survival Mode to Sacred Purpose
As a foreigner living in Japan, I used to see work as nothing more than a means to survive.
I worked a 9–5 job.
I hustled through early mornings.
I juggled language barriers, budgeting stress, childcare, learning new skills, building my blog, creating my online shop, and rushing to school drop-offs.
And still—every night—I would lie in bed and ask myself:
“Am I doing enough?”
“Why do I feel so exhausted, and still not good enough?”
“Why does it feel like I’m working so hard, but falling so far behind?”
There were times I questioned everything:
Am I failing?
Am I selfish for dreaming of more?
Am I being unrealistic?
But Louise taught me to look deeper—to ask,
“What do I truly believe about myself… and about what I deserve?”
That question began to change everything.
Rewriting My Inner Beliefs About Work
Louise says our outer world is a reflection of our inner beliefs.
And that includes work.
If deep down we believe:
- I’m not good enough…
- I don’t deserve success…
- Making money must be hard…
- I must sacrifice myself to be loved…
Then our work will always feel like a battlefield—no matter how skilled, talented, or passionate we are.
When I looked at my own story, I realized I was working from a place of fear.
Fear of not having enough.
Fear of being seen as lazy or unworthy.
Fear of asking for too much.
Louise’s words were like a mirror:
“You deserve to be successful. You deserve to be supported. You deserve to enjoy your work.”
That was a radical idea for me.
Because for years, I thought work had to hurt to mean something.
Reimagining Work as Self-Love in Action
Now, slowly, I’m learning to approach work as an extension of love, not pressure.
When I write blog posts like this, I no longer say,
“I have to get this done…”
I say:
“This is me giving love through words.”
When I design my products, I whisper:
“May this bring joy to someone’s day.”
Even folding laundry or doing the dishes—I now do it with quiet gratitude:
“This is me taking care of my life. This is sacred, too.”
Louise reminded me that how we work matters more than how much we work.
Because when you pour in love, you begin to receive love—sometimes in the form of rest, support, joy, or even prosperity.
Boundaries and Believing You Deserve Ease
In Japan, where overworking is often seen as a virtue, I used to feel guilty for needing rest.
But not anymore.
Now I give myself permission to:
- Take breaks without shame
- Say “no” to things that drain me
- Rest without calling it laziness
- Price my work based on value, not fear
Louise says:
“We do not get what we want. We get what we believe we deserve.”
So now I affirm, every day:
“I deserve to be paid well for the love and energy I offer.”
“I deserve to wake up excited about my work.”
“I deserve to be supported, seen, and appreciated.”
And guess what?
As my beliefs started shifting… so did my results.
Reflection: You Are Not Behind—You Are Becoming
Dear reader, if you feel overwhelmed, unworthy, or lost in the endless doing…
Please pause and ask yourself:
“What am I believing about work that is no longer serving me?”
“How can I bring more love into what I do today?”
“What would my life feel like if I truly believed I deserve ease, joy, and support?”
Because your work is not just about the paycheck.
It’s about your healing.
It’s about your growth.
It’s about creating something beautiful from your truth.
You don’t need to overperform to be worthy.
You don’t need to chase burnout to be successful.
You can build a life of purpose, passion, and peace—one loving task at a time.
Chapter 12 — Success: Every Step You Take Is Already a Success
There was a time when I thought success was only about results.
Big numbers. Big wins. Big applause.
But Louise Hay gently turned that idea upside down when she said:
“Every experience is a success.”
That simple sentence made me cry. Because in a world that constantly tells us to do more, have more, and be more, she reminded me that just showing up is already a success.
What Does Success Really Mean?
This chapter helped me look deeply at how I’ve defined success most of my life.
For years, I measured myself by what I hadn’t achieved yet:
- I didn’t have a “stable” career in Japan.
- I wasn’t financially independent yet.
- I hadn’t reached the life I dreamed of.
But Louise invites us to ask:
“What if every single step you take — even the ones that feel like failures — is a part of your success?”
That touched something deep in me.
Because when I look back…
- Every early morning, I woke up to learn a new skill. Success.
- Every blog post I wrote with trembling hope. Success.
- Every tear I cried in silence, and I still chose to keep going. Success.
I may not have the traditional trophies, but I have something better: resilience, growth, courage, and faith that refuses to quit.
Redefining Success in My Own Life
Living in Japan as a foreigner has taught me that success doesn’t look the same for everyone.
Here, I’ve had to start from scratch:
- Learning the language
- Navigating a new culture
- Raising my children without extended family
- Building a blog, an online shop, and a life — with no map but a lot of faith
And through all those “small” steps that no one else sees… I realized I was already succeeding.
Success is not about perfection — it’s about progress.
It’s not about having it all together — it’s about moving forward anyway.
It’s not about never falling — it’s about choosing to rise again and again.
Affirmations for Real, Soulful Success
Louise reminds us that our thoughts create our reality — and that includes our experience of success.
Here are a few affirmations I’ve started saying every morning, inspired by her teachings:
“I am successful in everything I do.”
“I am open to new and beautiful opportunities.”
“I deserve to succeed.”
“Every experience brings me closer to the life I love.”
“I am proud of how far I’ve come.”
These words aren’t just “positive thinking.” They’re a loving correction to all the years I whispered to myself: “You’re not doing enough.”
Letting Go of Comparison
Louise also writes that we must stop comparing our path to others. Because when we do, we diminish our own beauty, our own journey.
That lesson hit hard.
Especially living in Japan, where I’ve seen mothers who seem so “put together,” women who are fluent in everything — language, culture, and parenting. I used to wonder, “Why do I always feel behind?”
But now I know: my path is different. My success is not theirs to measure.
And neither is yours.
Your journey is your own.
Your growth is sacred.
Your effort is enough.
Reflection: You Are Already a Success
Success isn’t just found in grand endings.
It’s alive in every small beginning.
So today, celebrate:
- The fact that you woke up and chose to try again
- The way you love your children, even when you feel exhausted
- The courage it takes to build a dream in a land that doesn’t always feel like home
Because every step you take, every fear you face, every part of your healing — it all counts.
You are already successful.
Not because the world says so.
But because you keep showing up with love, with hope, and with heart.
Chapter 13 — Prosperity: I Deserve the Best, and I Accept the Best, Now.
When I read this chapter, something broke open in me.
Louise Hay wasn’t just talking about money — she was talking about something far deeper. The ability to receive. The ability to say, “I deserve this joy. I deserve this peace. I deserve this beautiful life.”
And for someone like me — a foreigner in Japan who’s been rebuilding her life after heartbreak, debt, and starting from scratch — those words felt like a balm to my soul.
“You do not have to earn prosperity. You only have to accept it.”
– Louise Hay
There Is an Ocean of Abundance
Louise describes prosperity as an ocean—wide, vast, endless.
And yet, most of us only bring a tiny cup to collect it. Why?
Because deep down, we believe:
- “I don’t deserve more.”
- “I shouldn’t ask for too much.”
- “Others need it more than I do.”
- “If I get blessed, someone else will go without.”
But that’s not how the universe works.
Louise writes:
“There is plenty for everyone, including me.”
And I’ve learned… she’s right.
When I look around me — at the beauty of nature in Japan, at the smiles of my daughters, at the kindness of strangers — I see how generous life actually is.
Now, I don’t whisper apologies for dreaming big.
I open my arms. I breathe in deeply. And I say:
“I deserve the best, and I accept the best. Now.”
Loving My Bills
This might sound strange, but one of the most transformational lessons from this chapter was: “Love your bills.”
When I first moved here, money was a constant stress. The bills in the mail brought anxiety, shame, and fear. Especially knowing some debts weren’t even mine.
But Louise changed the way I see it. She says:
“Bills are proof that someone trusted you.”
So now, I try to bless each bill before I pay it.
“Thank you for the water that washed my daughters’ hair.”
“Thank you for the electricity that kept us warm.”
“Thank you, Universe, for trusting me with this responsibility — and thank you for the money to pay this.”
Each payment is now a prayer of gratitude, not a punishment.
And I’ve noticed… the more gratitude I give, the more peace I feel.
Rejoicing in the Good Fortune of Others
This one was hard for me to admit… but sometimes, when I saw others succeed — especially those who seemed to have it all so easily — I felt a little sting in my heart.
But Louise says:
“Rejoice in the good fortune of others. It opens the door for you.”
That changed me.
Now, when I see another mother build a thriving business, or someone buy a new home, or even just post their joyful moments online — I smile and say:
“Yes! That’s possible for me too.”
“Thank you for showing me what’s possible.”
“The universe is generous — and I’m next in line.”
Making Room for the New
Louise teaches that we must release the old to make space for the new.
So I began small:
- Decluttering clothes I hadn’t worn in years
- Throwing out old notebooks filled with worry and self-doubt
- Letting go of habits that drained me
- Saying goodbye to relationships that no longer supported my healing
And do you know what happened?
New doors began to open.
Ideas flowed.
People came into my life who made me feel safe.
Money showed up — sometimes in surprising ways.
Peace returned to my home, little by little.
Because when we clear the clutter — both physical and emotional — we say to the universe:
“I am ready. I am open. I make room for abundance.”
Visualizing My Ocean of Abundance
One of my favorite practices from this chapter is visualization.
Louise says to picture the ocean — wide, limitless, overflowing. Then imagine yourself standing before it with open arms, saying:
“This abundance is mine. I now receive.”
Every morning, I try to do this — even just for 2 minutes before I begin my day.
I picture my future:
- Living in a peaceful home where my daughters are thriving
- Writing and sharing stories that touch hearts around the world
- Having enough money to support my family in the Philippines
- Waking up not with dread, but with excitement
- Feeling safe, supported, and free
And I whisper:
“I deserve this life.”
Because I do.
And so do you.
Accept Compliments. Accept Blessings. Accept Good.
Louise teaches that many of us are quick to give… but struggle to receive.
When someone compliments us, we say: “Oh, this old thing?”
When good things happen, we wonder: “Is this too good to be true?”
But now I practice saying:
“Thank you. I receive that.”
“Yes, I’m worthy of good things.”
“Yes, this blessing is mine, and I welcome it.”
Even the smallest things — a smile, a compliment, a new opportunity — I treat them as sacred.
Reflection: Prosperity Begins with Belief
You don’t have to wait for your bank account to overflow to feel prosperous.
You don’t have to wait for success to feel worthy.
You don’t have to wait for someone to give you permission to feel abundant.
You are already enough.
You already belong.
You already deserve the best.
So say it with me — right here, right now:
“I deserve the best. I accept the best. Now.”
Chapter 14 — The Body: Your Body Is Always Listening. What Are You Telling It?
This chapter touched a quiet place inside me.
Because I used to think healing was only about working harder, doing more, staying busy — especially as a mother, especially as a foreigner trying to hold everything together in a country that didn’t feel like home yet.
But Louise Hay lovingly whispers a truth that we so often forget:
“The body, like everything else in life, is a mirror of our inner thoughts and beliefs.”
Our aches, our fatigue, our tension — they are not failures.
They are messages.
And sometimes, they’re the only way our souls can get our attention.
The Body Holds What the Heart Hasn’t Healed
As I reflect on my years in Japan, I now understand what my body was trying to say all along.
- The migraines? They came when I felt trapped, like I had no way out.
- The exhaustion? It wasn’t laziness. It was the weight of carrying everything alone.
- The tightness in my chest? It was grief I hadn’t given myself permission to feel.
- The back pain? It showed up after being constantly pressured by debt, bills, and the burden of pretending I was okay.
Louise says:
“Illness is often a cry for love—not just from others, but from ourselves.”
That truth broke me open.
Because I realized: I had abandoned myself for years.
I gave love to everyone but me.
Listening Without Judgment
Now, I try to listen more.
When something feels off in my body, I no longer fight it or ignore it. I place my hand on that space, breathe deeply, and ask:
“What do you need, my love?”
“What have you been trying to tell me?”
Sometimes, the answer is “rest.”
Sometimes, it’s “forgiveness.”
Sometimes, it’s just “please don’t rush me.”
And just by listening — really listening — I begin to feel safer in my own skin again.
Healing Is a Daily Conversation
Louise invites us to use affirmations not just for the mind, but for the body — speaking directly to our organs, our muscles, our cells with kindness.
Some days, I look in the mirror and say softly:
“Body, I love you.”
“Thank you for carrying me through every hard day.”
“I forgive myself for the ways I’ve ignored you.”
“I am willing to feel safe in my body again.”
And do you know what’s beautiful?
The more I speak with love, the more my body responds with peace.
Honoring the Connection: Mind, Body, Spirit
Living in Japan has taught me to slow down — to notice the quiet, to honor the rhythm of seasons, to appreciate the rituals of self-care.
I’ve learned that healing isn’t about pushing harder.
It’s about softening into awareness.
Louise calls this the holistic philosophy of healing — understanding that everything is connected:
- Thoughts create feelings
- Feelings influence the body
- The body reflects the soul’s state
And so I ask myself daily:
“What story am I telling my body today?”
“Am I speaking fear, or am I speaking hope?”
Small Daily Practices to Begin Healing the Body
If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your body, here are some gentle practices inspired by this chapter — ones I now try to bring into my own life here in Japan:
1. Morning Touch
When you wake up, before you reach for your phone, place your hand over your heart and whisper:
“I am grateful for another day. I love you, body.”
2. Water Blessing
As you drink water, imagine it as healing energy. Silently affirm:
“This water cleanses and restores me.”
3. Mirror Affirmation
Look into your eyes and say:
“I trust my body. I am safe. I am loved.”
4. Gentle Movement
Whether it’s walking in nature, doing light stretches, or dancing with your children, move with the intention:
“I move because I care. Not to punish — but to honor.”
5. Speak Kindly All Day
Every time you catch yourself thinking, “I look tired,” or “I hate this about me,” — stop.
Take a breath. Replace it with:
“I am doing my best.”
“My body is healing in ways I cannot yet see.”
“I am learning to love myself more each day.”
Reflection: Your Body Is Not Your Enemy — It’s Your Ally
Your body is not broken.
Your body is not too much or too enough.
Your body is sacred. It is wise. It is doing everything it can to carry you home.
So talk to it kindly.
Love it fiercely.
Thank it often.
Because no matter what you’ve been through — emotionally, physically, financially — your body has stood by you. Quietly. Patiently. Unconditionally.
And that is a kind of love we must learn to return—with tenderness, forgiveness, and trust.
Chapter 15 — The List: I Am Healthy, Whole, and Complete
This chapter begins with an invitation that feels so gentle — and yet so powerful:
Write it down. Face it. Then set yourself free.
Louise encourages us to sit quietly, take out a sheet of paper, and list all the beliefs we’ve carried… beliefs that are no longer serving us. The ones that whisper in the dark. The ones that shape our fears. The ones that make us shrink.
And when I tried it, I didn’t expect to cry.
But I did.
My Personal List — and My Awakening
Sitting in my room, with a cup of coffee and my heart wide open, I wrote:
- “I am not doing enough.”
- “I don’t deserve happiness until I fix everything.”
- “My past defines me.”
- “I am failing my children.”
- “It’s too late for me to succeed.”
- “I’ll never be free from this burden.”
Reading it back, I realized something.
These weren’t just thoughts… they were chains.
They had kept me stuck for so long.
But Louise doesn’t leave us there. She says:
“Once you see the pattern, you have the power to change it.”
Awareness + Willingness = Healing
The moment we write down those old, hidden beliefs, we bring them into the light.
And in the light, they begin to lose their power.
Louise says healing begins not with perfection, but with willingness.
So I took a deep breath and said to myself:
“I am willing to release these thoughts.”
“I am willing to let go of what no longer serves me.”
“I am willing to believe I am enough.”
It was like cleaning out a cluttered room inside my soul.
Scary at first. But deeply freeing.
Affirming the New: “I Am Healthy, Whole, and Complete.”
After we let go, we must replace those limiting beliefs with love. With truth. With power.
And so I began to write a new list — a list of affirmations, just like Louise teaches.
Every line became a soft breath of self-love:
“I am healthy, whole, and complete.”
“I am learning to trust the process of life.”
“My past does not define me — my healing does.”
“I am safe, supported, and strong.”
“Everything I need is within me now.”
“I deserve joy, peace, and prosperity.”
“I forgive myself. I choose to grow.”
I read them aloud. I put them on sticky notes around my mirror. I whispered them while walking to pick up my daughter. And slowly… I started to believe them.
Healing in the Small, Everyday Moments
Here in Japan, where silence is often more common than conversation, I found great comfort in Louise’s reminder that healing is an inside job.
Some days I still wake up feeling afraid.
But instead of spiraling, I place my hand on my heart and say:
“I am healthy, whole, and complete.”
Some nights, after the girls are asleep and my thoughts begin to race, I remind myself:
“I am safe. It’s okay to rest. I am doing enough.”
And when old guilt creeps in from past mistakes, I now tell myself:
“I was doing the best I could with what I knew. Now I choose love.”
This work is gentle. Daily. Ongoing. But it is sacred.
A Simple Practice to Begin Your Healing List
If you want to try Louise’s list process for yourself, here’s how I began:
1. Set the mood.
Find a quiet corner. Light a candle. Take a breath.
2. Write the lies.
List every thought you’ve believed that made you feel small, unloved, or afraid.
3. Speak the truth to each one.
Write the opposite. Write what your Higher Self would say to you.
Example:
“I am not enough.”
“I am more than enough. I am powerful, beautiful, and growing.”
4. Say them out loud. Every day.
The mind learns through repetition. You don’t need to believe it yet — just be willing.
Reflection: You Are Not Broken — You Are Becoming
The most life-changing realization from this chapter?
That healing isn’t about fixing something broken.
It’s about remembering who you truly are beneath the noise:
“I am healthy, whole, and complete.”
This is not wishful thinking.
This is the truth, waiting for you to return to it.
And every time you write a new belief, every time you speak love over your pain, every time you choose faith over fear, you are rewriting your story.
You Can Heal Your Life
Reading You Can Heal Your Life didn’t just change my thoughts —
It touched my soul.
It broke open walls I didn’t know I’d built.
And most of all — it reminded me that beneath all my fears, doubts, past wounds, and survival-mode days…
I am worthy. I am lovable. And I am already whole.
This wasn’t just a book for me.
It was a love letter from the version of me I almost forgot —
The one who believes in miracles.
The one who chooses joy.
The one who knows deep down:
I am divinely guided, protected, and provided for — always.
Self-Love Is Not a Luxury — It’s Your Birthright
This journey taught me something I never heard growing up:
That loving yourself is the most powerful healing you will ever do.
Not once.
Not only when you “fix” yourself.
But every day.
In the mirror. In your thoughts. In how you speak to your heart and body.
Now, I no longer wait for someone else to tell me I’m enough.
I look in the mirror and whisper:
“I love you. I trust you. I will not abandon you anymore.”
And even when I feel broken, I know I’m not.
I’m just coming home to myself.
Talk to Your Body Like It’s Your Best Friend
One of the most tender lessons Louise shared is this:
“Your body is always listening. So talk to it with love.”
And this truth has stayed with me, especially on hard days in Japan, when my body felt tired, tight, or overwhelmed from carrying everything alone.
Now I pause.
I place my hand over my chest or stomach and say:
“You’re safe now.”
“Thank you for protecting me.”
“I’m listening. What do you need?”
This kind of love is quiet… but it’s transformational.
It tells your inner child:
“You matter. You’re seen. You’re loved.”
Healing Is Trusting the Process — Even in Uncertainty
If there’s one thing I know from rebuilding my life as a foreigner, mother, and dreamer in Japan, it’s this:
Healing is not a straight path.
It’s messy. It’s quiet. It’s holy.
And it takes trust.
Trust that life is not punishing you — it’s preparing you.
Trust that the pain had a purpose.
Trust that the seeds you’re planting will bloom, even if you can’t see them yet.
Louise reminded me:
“The point of power is always in the present moment.”
So I no longer look back with shame.
I no longer look ahead with fear.
I stay here — in this breath — and whisper:
“I trust the process of life. It loves me. It supports me. I am exactly where I need to be.”
You Are Divinely Guided, Protected, and Provided For
I used to live in fear — fear of not having enough, not being enough, not doing enough.
But now I know:
I am not alone.
I’ve never been.
The Universe has been holding me all along —
Through the heartbreak.
Through the silent nights.
Through the miracles I never expected.
Every closed door protected me.
Every delay was divine timing.
Every lesson was preparing me for something greater.
So I’ve stopped chasing and started trusting.
I’ve stopped begging and started receiving.
And every day, I affirm:
“I am divinely guided.”
“I am divinely protected.”
“I am divinely provided for.”
“All is well in my world.”
From My Heart to Yours
To anyone reading this who’s still healing…
Still rising…
Still learning how to love yourself…
Let this be your permission to stop trying to “earn” your worth.
You were already worthy — before the world told you otherwise.
You are already enough — even when you feel behind.
And you are already healing, just by being willing.
So take a deep breath.
Speak to yourself with love.
Release the fear.
And choose to believe:
“I am healthy, whole, and complete.”
“I am worthy of a joyful, abundant life.”
“Everything I need is already within me.”
“And I trust life to support me, always.”
This is not the end of your journey.
This is your beautiful beginning.
You can heal your life —
And you already are.
With all my love,
— Annie 💖
