About the Author
With more than 8 million books in print,
Iyanla Vanzant has truly established a dedicated fan base.
Iyanla's path to success took her through a multitude of life-changing experiences that shaped the profound insights she eagerly shares with others. A neglected, overweight, sexually abused child who was shuttled from one family to another, she became a teenage mother on welfare living in the projects of a major urban city. Vanzant took control of her life when she walked out of her second abusive marriage and entered Medgar Evers College in New York and then the City University of New York Law School. She moved to Philadelphia with her children and became a public defender for three years. Then she eventually became an ordained minister, who was committed to a message based on the principles of divine power and self-determination.
Iyanla combined her professional skills with her life's lessons and embarked on a writing and speaking career. Her mass appeal is evident in her overwhelming success as an author. In the Meantime was a #1 New York Times bestseller, where it spent 20 weeks on the list, and she has had numerous other major bestsellers. As a nationally recognized speaker she has sold out such prestigious venues as New York's Jacob Javits Convention Center, Nashville's Grand Ole Opry, Atlanta's Civic Center, and the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles. Vanzant is also familiar to the daytime TV audience from her role as a regular contributor on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."
Acclaimed journalist and producer Barbara Walters recognized Vanzant's extraordinary appeal, seeing in her a "breakaway talent" with the potential for huge success in daytime television. With Walters and partner Bill Geddie on board to executive produce, Buena Vista Productions to develop the show, and Buena Vista Television as distributor, the road to Iyanla was forged.
Vanzant has received numerous accolades for her work. In 1992 Los Angeles mayor Tom Bradley named October 21st "Tapping the Power Within Day" in honor of a workshop she presented in that city for African-American women. In 1994, the National Association of Equal Opportunity in Education, an organization comprised of the presidents and administrators of the 117 predominantly Black colleges in the United States named her Alumni of the Year. She also was awarded an "Oni" by the International Congress of Black Women as one of the nation's unsung heroes, and she served as the national spokesperson for Literacy Volunteers of America in 1998.
In 1999 she was listed among the 100 Most Influential African-Americans by Ebony magazine. Later that year, she was awarded the 31st NAACP Image Award for "Outstanding Literary Work, Non-Fiction" for Yesterday I Cried. She also earned her first Honorary Doctorate degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, from the City University of New York, Medgar Evars College. In 2000, she earned her second honorary degree, Doctor of Divinity, from the Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition, Ebony has named her one of their "55 Most Intriguing People," Vibe magazine tabbed her one of "100 Leaders of the New Millennium" and Newsweek recently included her as one of the "Women of the New Century."
The mother of three and grandmother of four, Vanzant lives in Silver Spring, Maryland with her husband Adeyemi and Mr. Coco, their cat.
To learn how Iyanla can help you get started on your journey toward spiritual enlightenment, visit Inner Visions Worldwide, Inc., at
www.innervisionsworldwide.com.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Introduction Dear One:
You are it! There is nothing in this world more important, more precious, more perfect than you. You are all that you will ever need. You have within you the ability to create all that you desire to be, to have, and to experience. You are the power! You have the power! You are powerful! (GV)
Your parents, your friends, lovers, and loved ones may not be with you forever, but God is always there with you, for you. Others may not be able to answer your questions, soothe your pain, put a smile on your face, or bring peace to your heart, but God can and will. (AW)
Since you will always be with you, because you are so very important to you, you must know how to take care of yourself, how to honor yourself, and how to affirm yourself. My prayer for you is that you know how brilliant and special you are. My prayer is that you realize the world is waiting for you to bring forth all that you are, in the way only you can. (MBD)
Never feel that you have to explain who you are, or defend who you are, or act in ways that please other people if you must dishonor your Self to do so. Just be who you are. You lack nothing. You connect the heavens to the earth in a most sacred way. Your body is the temple. Your heart is the key. Always celebrate the joy that lies within the temple of your heart. (EA)
There will be days, sometimes months or years, when life does not make sense to you. There may be times when you feel terribly afraid, awfully confused, or downright disgusted with yourself and/or your life. This is perfectly normal! All of us who are now "big girls" have been there and done that! (IV) There will also be times when you feel misunderstood and alone. Never dwell on these things. Take time to listen to your heart, spend time with your Self. Avoid at all costs the temptation to place yourself in unhealthy, unproductive, and dishonorable situations just to avoid being alone with the depth of what you feel. (YS) The key is to know that no matter what else is going on in your life, you come first. You know what you need. If you have a good relationship with yourself, you will have all that you need to rise to any and every occasion. (IV)
As the days unfold on your life's journey, people, situations, and obstacles may stand in your way. Let your faith be your landmark. At each corner, in every alley, on every path of life, there will be a lamplight, a house light, or a headlight to illuminate your path. Don't try to figure out where the light is leading you, just follow the light! (DS)
No matter what the world or people tell you about yourself, always remember that you are a delicate yet hardy flower. Your true essence will grow, develop, and unfold as the bright blue petals open on a sun-drenched morning glory. Always know that the best is yet to come and that your satisfaction is guaranteed. (JH)
You are God's special gift to the world. You are a bright and shining star. When you look into your eyes in the mirror each morning, tell yourself, "I am hope! I am joy! I am free! I am happy! I am love! More important, I am me!" (LG)
You have been loved from the very beginning of your existence. That love is within you. Allow the divine presence of the love within you to shape you, mold you, and direct your life. Listen to your inner voice. Think, act, and speak the truth of who you are, for that truth is always in alignment with the love that is imbedded in your soul. This is the truth that will guide you to abundant fulfillment.
Have fun with life. Keep your life simple. Remember that the little girl in you loves to play. Play, laugh, and always have at least one good friend you can take to lunch. (VB) Work for the joy of it, not just for the money. Always love for the sake of it, not fearing the pain. Give your best! Do your best! Be your best! And, if there is ever a day or time when you cannot figure out what to do, throw your hands in the air and dance! God's angels are your partners. (IV)
Be Blessed, Dear One! Iyanla Vanzant and the
Inner Visions Mothers
GV -- Gemmia Vanzant
DS -- Danni Stillwell
AW -- Almasi Wilcots
MBD -- Muhsinah Berry Dawan
JH -- Judith Hakima
LG -- Lucille Gambrell
EA -- Ebun Adelona
YS -- Yawfah Shakor
VB -- Viviana Brown
Copyright © 1999 by Iyanla Vanzant
