I really loved the book!  It is very inspiring and uplifting.    Iyanla teaches those of us who have not yet found a lasting, real love what to do "in the meantime."  She suggests we learn from our failed relationships. She interprets these as lessons sent to us by God to help us grow and move closer to real love.  According to her, real love actually involves feeling self-love (as we actually are), feeling real love towards all others, and feeling and accepting God's unconditional love for us.  There are different levels to reaching this awareness of love which she compares to the different floors of a house.  The basement is the lowest level and the attic the level which we aspire to.  If we have the above mentioned love, true love (from another) will seek us out! Plus, we won't accept the "garbage" from others that isn't real love!

    Her loving, yet frank guidance and advice mixed with excellent examples to illustrate her points give us many ways to change our ways of thinking and behavior in a positive way.  She really encourages us to listen and understand how we really feel - a way of loving and honoring ourselves.  The friend who recommended this book to me said it changed her life.  I find myself thinking differently too and making some positive changes in my life.  I really recommend this book to others!

(Iyanla Vanzant is coming to St. Louis for book signing on October 27, 1999, please check your local listings for details and her scheduled appearances on this historical national tour. )

Kathy Dierker, St. Louis, MO.

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