Yesterday, I Cried – And it’s okay

Iyanla Vanzant is famous now… but when I first knew of her, she was a empowerment coach and co-facilitator on one of my favorite television shows called Starting Over. I wrote a bit about it HERE.

I’d read some of her books before I ever saw her, though I don’t know how I even knew of them.

The first two books I read were One Day My Soul Just Opened Up and Until Today. I remember standing in front of the stacks, thinking her books were among the prettiest on the shelves. Just like a pretty melody, the cover of a book can move me to want to know more. Both read like devotionals and are short, quick daily reads with a prayer at the end of each day.

Yesterday I Cried comes from a different place.

It dares to ask…

What are the lessons in abuse, loss, neglect? And more.

“You can accept or reject the way you are treated by other people, but until you heal the wounds of your past, you will continue to bleed. You can bandage the bleeding with food, with alcohol, with drugs, with work, with cigarettes, with sex, but eventually, it will all ooze through and stain your life. You must find the strength to open the wounds, stick your hands inside, pull out the core of the pain that is holding you in your past, the memories, and make peace with them” ― Iyanla Vanzant, Yesterday, I Cried

That’s asking a lot.

Vanzant delivers.

If you don’t know about her, I will only say that her life has been a (very public, at times) example of growing flowers in your garden of tears. I encourage you to read any (all!) of her books. She speaks from experience. Many story-tellers do.

I aspire to be like her… one day. I’ve certainly had my share of troubles and pain. And I strive to find the good in everything I’ve experienced… and share it with you.