Dear Louise,

I’ve been at my job for many years. I’ve earned my education, received two years of specialized training and recently completed a six-month developmental assignment. However, my supervisor put someone else in the job so that I couldn’t be promoted. She took the duties off my desk and gave them to higher-graded employees. When a position became vacant, which would have been a promotion for me, she placed another person in it. I don’t understand it. I haven’t done anything wrong. I’m a good employee, just old. Please tell me what to do.

C.M., Charlotte, NC

Dear C.M.,

First, bless the supervisor with love. Begin to appreciate everything about her that you possibly can. Bombard her with love and appreciation. You want to change the energy around this situation. This way you’re telling life what you want and giving thanks for it now.

Second, turn away from the problem, from outer appearances and from society’s beliefs. Age may be a problem for others, but it doesn’t have to be one for you. You’re far more than outer reality. Universal Mind can do anything, give it a chance.

Finally, turn to Spirit and trust life to take care of you in miraculous ways. We can get caught up in the problem or we can rise above it and let the Universal Mind find the perfect solution.

Use these affirmations: I am happy, healthy and loved. I enjoy all of my life. I am appreciated at work. I have loving relationships with everyone I work with and for. I am in my right place. Life opens ways for me to prosper and succeed. I love and adore myself. All is well in my world.

Dear Louise,

While reading your book, The Power Is Within You, particularly Chapter 6,“Letting Your Feelings Out”, I realized that I have a problem with speaking up. Every time my friends hurt my feelings, I keep quiet. Sometimes I think that keeping quiet is the right choice, but other times I feel stupid. The thing I don’t understand is that when my boyfriend hurts me verbally, I speak to him immediately and we solve the problem and things turn out all right, but with my friends, I don’t utter a single word. Am I normal?

L.M., South Africa

Dear L.M.,

Of course you’re normal! You just give your friends more power over you than you do your boyfriend. The next time someone says something, just picture your boyfriend and reply to them as you would to him.

Affirm: I am comfortable and at ease with everyone. I lovingly speak up for myself. I am lovable and loving. Everybody loves me!

Dear Louise,

I’m a gay man who’s lost ten jobs in the past ten years for various reasons. I’ve also lost many lovers. At first, all of these relationships were blissful and loving, but they quickly turn sour, as if the guy was Dr. Jekyll and is now Mr. Hyde. I believe my inability to maintain either a job or a relationship for any significant length of time is metaphysically related. How can I change things in order to create the right job and right relationship for me?

W.A., Washington D.C.

Dear W.A.,

Forgive your father. That’s the first place to start. When you release this resentment you may have for him, your whole attitude will change and people will react to you differently. I’ll list some affirmations at the end of this letter for you to use.

I’m glad that you realize that it’s you that needs to change, not anyone else. Begin with your own thoughts. Watch them and your self-talk. Be very vigilant about this. Remove every critical, judgmental thought you can find and listen to what you say and how you say things. Refuse to judge any person, place or thing. Develop a growing sense of love for yourself. Look into the mirror and say, “I love you. I really love you.” Don’t be concerned if you feel foolish. Do it anyway. You’re breaking old patterns and becoming a dearly lovable person.

To your father and to your old lovers, affirm: I bless you with love and I release you. To the old jobs: I release you with love and open my heart to new opportunities. And a new affirmation for work is: Everybody loves me at work and I love everybody there. I am loved and respected by everyone.

Do what I suggest and get the energy moving.

Louise L. Hay is a metaphysical teacher and the best-selling author of numerous books, including You Can Heal Your Life, Empowering Women and You Can Do It®. For a free catalog of books, audios, videos and other products by Louise Hay and other Hay House authors, please call (800) 654-5126. If you would like Louise to answer your letter in this publication, please write “Dear Louise Column,” c/o Hay House, Inc., P.O. Box 5100, Carlsbad, CA 92018-5100, website: www.hayhouse.com.