Lyric Fire

My Blog Lyric Fire: Oprah's Candid Interview w/Author Iyanla Vanzant Part 2

Last week I featured Iyanla Vanzant's book, "Peace from Broken Pieces: How to Get Through What You're Going Through" as a Book Binge selection. After searching for the title at one of the larger bookstores in NYC, (Borders), to no avail, I found a copy at Harlem's own Hue-Man Bookstore & Cafe.  The book starts off with Vanzant detailing the last hours of her daughter's life and from the first word she captures the heart of the reader. I'm finding that reading this book is more like watching a poignant documentary, as Vanzant paints vivid pictures with her words. 

Today, I'm focusing on part 2 of the Oprah Show conversation. Vanzant speaks even more candidly about how she lost her husband and her million dollar fortune. Her pain is still fresh as she talks about the death of her daughter from cancer, but she demonstrates how she is handling her losses as we witness her vibrant sense of humor still continue to shine through. It's evident that Oprah and Iyanla still have some bridges to cross, but even with those issues, it's obvious that they truly love and respect one another. 

I have posted the first segment of the interview below. To view the rest of the conversation go here: YouTube Links to Oprah/Iyanla Part 2. Also, visit Oprah's website for more behind the scenes info on Iyanla. 

PERSONAL CHALLENGE: Evaluate a situation in your life where you've lost someone or something meaningful. What was your role in it? Have you healed? If not, explore ways to do so. 

 

 

My Blog Lyric Fire: Book Binge: "Peace from Broken Pieces: How to Get Through What You're Going Through" by Iyanla Vanzant

Making personal and professional decisions are not always easy. I can think of quite a few that had my head spinning: Do I stay in my hometown or move to a new city to pursue my goals and dreams? Should I leave a "stable" but unsatisfying job and take on a freelance gig that promises more money and creative opportunity? Can I make this relationship work or should I move on to someone new? Sometimes I find myself still questioning my decisions, even though I know I made the best choices I could make at the time with what I was equipped with mentally and emotionally. 

Imagine that you're Iyanla Vanzant. Successful author, relationship guide and guru and besties with none other than Oprah Winfrey. Okay, maybe not besties, because we all know Gayle King holds that title, but she likes and respects you enough to not only give you face time, but talk time on her show at the beginning of your career. She also lets you take the stage while she sits in the audience. Then an opportunity comes up with another big name in television, Barbara Walters, who wants to give you your own show. Oprah does too, but feels you need to wait and grow more. Which choice would you make? Stay with Oprah and wait a while before you get to take the TV reins, or go with Barbara where you can hit the ground running NOW? 

Iyanla was forced to make that difficult decision which had a great impact on her life, career and relationship with Oprah. She writes about this painful period in her new book entitled, "Peace from Broken Pieces: How to Get Through What You're Going Through", which is my Book Binge selection this week. 

Being a fan of Iyanla's I can't wait to read this book. I didn't know much about what happened between Vanzant and Oprah, but I did wonder why she hadn't been on television in a while. The book also covers her personal triumphs and tragedies during the last ten years and how she was able to endure and continue to flourish. 

The following is an interview which aired on Feb 16th where Iyanla and Oprah clear the air about what really happened between them. It is riveting television that will make you laugh, cry and also think back on some of the decisions you've made. It is a teaching and learning moment. Stay tuned next week as the two media queens conclude their conversation on Feb 23rd. I will post the clip along with my personal thoughts. 

Also, visit Oprah's website for behind the scenes information on the interview and exclusives from Iyanla Vanzant. 

PERSONAL CHALLENGE: Think back on a difficult decision you had to make. With the benefit of time, would you make the same choices? Why or why not? What were your life lessons? Please share!