I still remember the elevator ride, butterflies doing somersaults in my chest, lips so dry my tongue felt like sandpaper. I wasn’t prepared. And I was always prepared. But this time was different. I was headed up to the Royal Suite at the InterContinental Hotel in Toronto to meet with Louise Hay. We were scheduled to discuss a book we’d write together about her life and our work, and we agreed to meet without an agenda. This is one of the things I loved most about Louise. She trusted Life. She knew, deep in her bones, that Life loved her and always had her best interest at heart. So she remained open to the mystery.

Our meeting was the result of a lunch I had with Reid Tracy, the publisher of Hay House. Reid had joined me on a cruise to co-lead a workshop for up-and-coming writers. He was well-known for his creative and entrepreneurial ideas, and during lunch he caught me off guard with an unexpected question:

“What do you think about writing a book with Louise?” he asked just as I’d taken a bite of my veggie wrap.

“Louise who?” I replied, trying to delicately swallow my food.

Reid laughed, “Louise Hay – hello!”

I stopped mid-chew to take in the moment. It was such a left-field idea that I honestly didn’t know what he was talking about. The Louise Hay? I said. The woman whose work I’ve been following for more than two decades? The teacher who launched my personal growth journey?

“Yes,” he told me, “that Louise Hay.”

Over the next two years, I would travel throughout the United States, Europe, and Australia with the grand dame of the self-help movement. Together we would teach, write, and eventually share the book that would become near and dear to our hearts – You Can Create an Exceptional Life.

This week, on what would have been Louise’s 99^th birthday (October 8^th), I’m happy to announce that the audio version of our book will be available from all standard audio outlets. And it’s not your typical audiobook.

Because Louise was so committed to helping people live well, I decided to do something different with this version. Rather than just read what’s already been written, I’ve added stories about our time together. I’ve reinforced the teachings that were particularly important to us both. And I’ve created mini-affirmation meditations to help you put our advice to good use. Not only that, but Hay House has included recordings of a few of our conversations together as well as three of Louise’s most treasured guided meditations.

While I’m grateful to have this new project out in the world, making the recording was bittersweet. I would have loved to have been in the studio with Louise. We would have laughed and cried together – no doubt – and Louise would have made sure that every word had an impact. That’s the kind of teacher she was and I hope I’ve made her proud.

To celebrate the book (and Louise’s birthday!), I’ve invited Reid to join me for a live Zoom gathering on Wednesday, October 8^th, at 4pm ET/1pm PT, for a little behind-the-scenes look at her legacy and the making of our book. I’d love for you to join us. You can get the Zoom link by signing up here.

Happy Birthday, Louise!

Love,

Cheryl