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Summary: Spiritual Awakening
Review: Iyanla Vanzant has had a tremendous life. This book reflects her experiences of excitement mixed with pain, sadness, love, joy, questionable relatives, interesting friends and a woman/girl who fights to be. The messages of self-discovery shared throughout the book will be an inspiration for any person who wants to scrap off the piles of mess that life situations have handed us, to find the real jewel in you. I highly recommend this book. It was entertaining yet serious enough to let us know that we really do need each other and we can overcome many obstacles if we stay focused. Iyanla was able to do it without even knowing she was focused. Once she realized that focus was important, she overcame obstacles that surprised even her. She wants you to know that you can do it to. Buy the book, get comfortable and read the book, then get busy working on you. You will get in touch with who you really are, if you are willing to take the challenge. This book is long overdue. Through Iyanla's experiences she is willing to help you do life a little better. Take the journey. It's worth it.
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Summary: Brilliant - A must read for every woman
Review: This book is breath taking. For Iyanla to go thru such trials in her life, it is truly amazing that she still exsist. Her strength and determination is a lesson for all. I was so moved by each chapter, at times I just held the book to my chest and sighed. A lesson in the hard knocks of life that everyone human being can learn from. Excellent, excellent, excellent. Iyanla has moved me to the very core of my soul. I have highlighted special excerpt that I can use to reflect on my daily situations. Just a very inspiring book and a must for all to read.
Rating:
Summary: simply the best!!
Review: I recommend this book to everyone who feels that they have many obstacles that block their way to possessing the goals they want. It is very inspiring and uplifting. This book is simply the best guide for looking inside of yourself for what you have and then using it to pull yourself up by the bootstraps. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and you will too.
Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Woman
Review: I read this book four years ago, when I was in college. At that time it helped me to see that, like Iyanla, I too can rise above the hard circumstances of my life, and create for myself the wonderful life that I desire. Since that time I have looked deeply within my own self and found my own answers. I did not settle for any less. Now I live the life that I want, and I face who I really am. I discovered all this on my own, but before I read Iyanla's book I did not have a frame work for knowing that other people have done the same. Her book gave me hope to continue seeking joy.An added aspect of the book for me was seeing Iyanla as I would see my own mother. Acknowledging that Iyanla, like my mother, is an amazing and caring woman, but that her children still had to face life's hardships was very healing in my relationship to my mother at the time. In addition I coincidentally have the same name as Iyanla's daughter. Iyanla is a beautiful woman, inside and out. The title of the book is fabulous and her use of it through the book is brilliant.
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Summary: Phenomenal Read! Iyanla gives out Life Lessons!
Review: Although I have not experienced all the abuses and the hardships that Iyanla has...this book is totally relatable. Either you have or someone you know has been through similar journeys. From physical abuse to mental abuse. As a woman, I have been in relationships when it the time has come to let go, but I wanted it to work soooo bad that I held on. That is the wrong thing to do! Iyanla explains why. Iyanla tells her story in a brutally honest forum. I have recommended this book to several of my girlfriends. I think its a MUST read. Healing means to acknowledge the past and embrace it and move on. If you want inspiration and you want to learn about healing, reconcilliation and personal strength---this book is THE ONE! Everyone might not like the book or embrace it, but if you do "get it" your life will forever be changed.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Book!
Review: I read this book a few years ago and I did then and still do today, think that it's a spectacular piece of work. One of the things that seems to stay right of the front of my mind, is when Iyanla talks about how your thinking changes and the things that were once important, will no longer be important. I didn't understand it when I read but after growing up, and going through, I now understand. As always, Thank You and Great Job Iyanla.
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Summary: see the "lessons" of your own life
Review: I found this book at a time when I was experiencing extreme confusion, pain, self-doubt, and depression. Along with the support of friends and a near-breakdown that took me to the door of madness, this book helped me reconsider my "problems" as opportunities for growth. I am aware that certain strains of Buddhism also speak of using problems as catapaults to growth. Here, Iyanla trances her life (almost chronologically) and, with hindsight, forms a lesson for each particular situation she faced. Many of her lessons came from difficult situations: abuse, infidelity, poverty, teenage pregnancy, an absent father, etc. Central to her process is remembering, which from personal experience, is often one of the hardest things to do, especially if you have a vested interest in forgetting. But that's the point: without remembering, the lessons will never truly stick. And this act of remembering takes LOTS of effort and time. Iyanla, despite her "success" and public profile, admits that she still has healing to do, that in fact it's a life long process. This is especially true for those of us who have waited decades to actually begin to "clean up the crap." There are years of hard-wired behavior patterns that must be seen, analysed (self-analysis is a major part of her style/technique for growth), and then EFFORT must be applied to change them. For anyone who has walked the path before, changing adult human behavior requires major effort and awareness. Iyanla's writing helps keep you in a place of awareness and helps refocus our efforts on our OWN LIFE and its meaning in the cosmos. In other words, while sometimes it appears we strive to change to make ourselves more attractive in a relationship, more employable, more socially interesting, ultimately we must change only for ourselves and our own desire for a BETTER life, a more intimate life with ourselves. Only once this is achieved can we hope to share with others. There are many other techniques and ideas which are helpful. For example: old self vs. new self (Iyanla is not Iyanla's birth name but a name she took for her developing self); prayer (even if you don't believe in God or have a particular faith, prayer keeps you focused on what is necessary for your healing and growth); creating a supportive community. Read, enjoy, and WORK with this book. I highly recommend it. It is like a memoir in some way, and shows how one woman mined her life for lessons and put forth the effort to remake herself beyond her subconsious patterns, fears, and social/economic class.
Rating: 
Summary: I'm glad this was a library book!
Review: I had heard of Iyanla as inspiring and wonderful, so when I saw this book on the new book shelf I decided to give it a try. Expecting enlightenment and motivation as the cover promises, instead I found rather disturbing recollections of her life and constant proclamations of how blessed she is because of it. Not only did I miss the point of the lessons I could stand to read, but I'm rushing it back to the library early.
Rating: 
Summary: Not my cup of tea
Review: Having enjoyed Iyanla's TV show, I looked forward to reading one of her books. This is my first one, and I must say I'm disappointed. I found it depressing. It's the story of her life, so maybe that couldn't be helped, but I'm wishing I hadn't read it (Not that I've read every word. I had to skim over parts that were too way out for me). She has some good things to say in it, but the packaging was too melodramatic in my opinion.
Rating:
Summary: gift
Review: I found this book to be a true gift of the soul. I suspect the author benefitted greatly from writing it and anyone who has ever had to overcome any form of adversity will strongly relate to it. It is about discovery, forgiving and healing. A great read
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