Life Loves You

'Life loves you' is one of the best-known of Louise Hay's affirmations, which forms the starting point for this inspirational book arguing that life doesn't just happen to you, it happens for you. This implies the ultimately benevolent nature of reality and is explored in a series of chapters: the Mirror principle, affirming your life, following your joy, forgiving your past, being grateful now, learning to receive and healing the future. It is based on a series of conversations at Louise's house in California, and gives a real insight into the lives of both authors as they relate these principles to their own life experience. There are some delightful stories about Robert's children including an incident where they were choosing treats and an old lady tells them they must have been very good in order to deserve these treats. This conditionality is the antithesis of the book, and, later, Robert's daughter says she is far rather be called a lovely girl than a good girl. Trying to be good is an apprenticeship in conformity.

The Mirror principle helps us understand that our relationships reflect our relationship with ourselves. The authors give exercises to help readers get a real feel of being intrinsically lovable and to stop judging themselves negatively. This includes dealing with the inner critic, and Robert recounts an episode of writer's block where he is staring blankly at a page waiting for inspiration when he suddenly realises that the words of his inner critic have never been published. Readers are also encouraged to develop their creativity and intuition, asking for what they need to know, as well as being present and listening. We all need reminding of the importance of trust and gratitude as spiritual practices. There is a great deal of practical wisdom in this book, as the following passage from Louise demonstrates: "we are here to be a loving mirror to the world. The more we love ourselves, the less we project our pain onto the world. When we stop judging ourselves, we naturally judge others less. When we stop rejecting ourselves, we stop accusing others of hurting us. When we start loving ourselves more, we become happier, less defended and more open. As we love ourselves, we naturally love others more." The world would be a happier place if we followed this advice.