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.
In Don'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.
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
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
Anonymous
Posted May 12, 2003
This book is really good if you like getting involved in your daily affirmations. Instead of just reading them you also are active in writing down your thoughts. It's great not only to read the wonderful words but to also write down how you feel about yourself as well.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 8, 2003
I was reading the reviews in anticipation of ordering the book. Based on the reviews, it seems that the book will be helpful as a resource for my clients. The person who gave a rating of one seems to be a very discouraged person, who is looking for happiness in the wrong places. Reading a book, in itself, will not directly improve the overall quality of your life, however it can give you some ideas to use to make your life better. "Take things with a grain of salt." Sometimes a little inspiration can go a long way.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 24, 2000
I FEEL THAT THIS BOOK WAS A EXTREMELY OUSTANDING ,MAGNIFICENT WORK OF GOD. SHE IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN ON THE CREATIONS OF THIS EARTH .I PRAISE HER FOR WHAT SHE IS DOING FOR YOUNG WOMEN. I TERRIBLY DISAGREE WITH WHAT ONE OF THE COMMENTS THAT WAS MADE ABOUT HER BOOK AND ONLY GIVING HER A ONE. WHAT I TRUELY FEEL IS THAT PERSON COULD NOT RELATE TO THIS BOOK OR ANY OTHERS IS BECAUSE SHE HAS NOT OPENED HER SOUL TO THE UNDERSTANDINS OF PURE NURTURING. I THANK GOD FOR PEOPLE LIKE IYANLA AND PRAISE HIM FOR LETTING ME BE ABLE TO READ MAJORITY OF HER BOOKS I HAVE 6 OF THEM ALREADY AND A FEW TO GO . THANK YOU AND KEEP DOING YOUR THANG GIRL BUT CRITICIZM LIKE THAT IS WHAT MAKES A STRONGER AS YOUNG WOMEN.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 2, 2000
I got this book for my birthday a couple years back. It was a time in my life when nothing went right and I was ready to throw the towel in and quit. Then I got this book. It totally saved me! I now have a girl kit under my bed for when I'm sad, scared, lonely, or angry. It helps! This book is wonderful! A perfect gift for your teen daughters, granddaughters, friends, or sisters.
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Posted February 23, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
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 ...