Don't Give It Away! A Workbook of Self-Awareness and Self-Affirmations for Young Women

by Vanzant, Iyanla

• ISBN13: 9780684869834
• ISBN10: 0684869837
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-07-06
• Publisher: Atria Books

Summary

You are special.You are precious.You are It!Today, Iyanla Vanzant is a bestselling author with her own business and a loving family. But it wasn't so long ago that she was a teenager -- a sixteen-year-old mother and high school dropout on welfare. Iyanla knows that a young woman's journey can be lonely and hard. She remembers how difficult it is to put into words the way you feel, how it feels to want to be loved.InDon't Give It Away!,Iyanla presents a workbook in which you can write your feelings and express your thoughts about the things that matter to you -- your family, your friends, your body, and your love life. Problems at home and at school are a natural part of every young woman's life, but understanding what to do with how you feel about your problems is the key to growing up. Iyanla Vanzant shows you that the love you seek is the love that you are.

Author Biography

Iyanla Vanzant is the award-winning and bestselling author of Acts of Faith, The Value in the Valley, Faith in the Valley, One Day My Soul Just Opened Up, In the Meantime, and Yesterday, I Cried. As an empowerment specialist, Spiritual Life Counselor, and ordained minister, she lectures and facilitates workshops nationally with a mission to assist in the empowerment of women and men everywhere.

Excerpts

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.Youknow 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

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Excerpted from Don't Give It Away!: A Workbook of Self-Awareness and Self-Affirmations for Young Women by Iyanla Vanzant
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.