Dear Louise,
I was 28 when I first heard about you.
I had been in and out of therapy for ten years with various counselors, and had finally found one I felt safe enough with to show my true feelings to.
Then, what seemed like a tragedy at the time struck: she told me she was moving to Texas with her husband. Before she left, she said “ I have a book recommendation for you. I really think it will help you”.
I scribbled down your name and a book title on a notepad and left her office.
The next day, a Friday, I went to a bookstore (remember those?) and purchased my first copy of your best-selling book, “You Can Heal Your Life”.
Within a few pages, I suddenly understood so much about myself: my life was what it was, I felt the way I felt not because of outside circumstances, but because of the thoughts running through my head. Suddenly I became present to the negative thoughts running through my mind that had most likely been there my entire life.
I finished that book that weekend and was left with a new sensation: A feeling of hope.
Since then, my life has changed and transformed in so many ways I had no choice but to become a life coach and help others do the same. I look around at all the blessings I have in my life now: a loving husband, a fulfilling career, financial and time abundance, more inner peace, and I know it’s because somehow I was lucky enough to take the “sliding door“ journey of reading your book. It was an entry point into power, potential, and possibility. Suddenly I understood: I was NOT a hapless victim in the universe. I was a powerful co-creator who could collectively create with my Higher Power, but first I must surrender and trust that Higher Power. It was a realization so powerful, I now spend my days helping others to have the same realizations, these breakthroughs in and of thought and belief awareness. It is a fine path indeed. It is a path I am on all because you dared to choose love instead of fear. Because you were courageous enough to write a little blue book and start selling it out of the back of your car. Because you dared to touch lives and say “No, no, its not that bad, there IS another way”.
Today you fly with the rest of the angels, which is undoubtedly where you belong. I can only imagine the welcome you got, having helped so many hearts…
Recently I had the pleasure of being in the same room with and hearing Reid, Doreen, and James Van Praagh speak, and I was again inspired and uplifted to press on, to keep writing, speaking, and coaching.
You are the great-grandmother of the self-help and New Thought movement. The queen of affirmations. A teacher of love, and a great influence who has helped so many to heal their lives.
It feels like it can’t possibly be enough, but the only thing I can muster up in this moment to say is “Thank you”. Thank you for your courage. Thank you for daring to be great. Thank you for choosing love over fear.
Today, in your honor, I promise: To the best of my ability, I will carry on the torch of the fire you have lit under so many to help others heal their life. I will do my part.
Love,
Jennifer
Jennifer Gaynor-Yaker is a Los Angeles life coach, dating coach, relationship coach, certified hypnotherapist, EFT Master Practitioner and instructor, NLP coach, Psych-K practitioner, lifestyle and performance coach, published author and speaker whose journey into the world of transformation began because she read a book by Louise Hay.