Giving Thanks by Iyanla Vanzant (Audio)

I have entered a new terrain; the world of audio books.

Our public library system now has OverDrive--Library Services which allows one to download library audio books from the comfort of the home computer.

I have gotten totally hooked.

Though, I have discovered that having fiction read aloud doesn’t work well for me. I don’t want to hear someone else interpret the characters’ voices or their pacing. I don’t want be distracted by the narrator’s vocal idiosyncrasies.

But, when I get to non-fiction works…WOW!

Put the headphones on and let those babies go!

I have been gulping down biographies, political science, business books, and on a lark I downloaded an inspirational piece from a name I am familiar with, Iyanla Vanzant, although I really couldn’t tell anyone why that name would be familiar.

The whole UNABRIDGED audio book plays through in 90 minutes. Much of this time is spent listening to the narrator (who happens to be the author) b-r-e-a-t-h-i-n-g… very, very, very…s—l—o—w—l—y.

I realized that this book was not meant for me. While listening to this woman’s pleasant voice, I felt the experience to be too intimate. Her resonant voice sliding directly into my brain via my heavy duty headphones was… um, well… embarrassingly overwhelming.

I was looking for inspiration and I got meditation.

Although her topic is quite a good idea… live life with an attitude of gratitude… reciting my gratitude for my strong healthy hips just didn’t float for me. The author also spoke of attracting the positive to one’s self.

I lurch at anything that smacks of the latest wave of “laws of attraction” in which people attract gobs of wealth to themselves. I found my mind drifting during the listening wondering if this was another one of those “you get what you deserve” mantra.

That whole wishing for stuff spirituality is older than old. I remember fondly in the 1980’s when my friend, Ellen, entered into a yoga group. I think she was seeking enlightenment. After a few of these yoga classes Ellen informed me over a glass of wine that the group was about “meditating for toasters” and other snappy household items. I laughed, she shrugged, and she avoided yoga classes for over a decade after that experience.

I sure hope that is not what Iyanla Vanzant ‘s work is about.

Unfortunately, this morning while preparing this review, I found out that the author appears on Oprah’s television show frequently.


Uh-oh.

May I mention that I have acquired an Oprah aversion? I fear that the mighty O is getting an empress complex.

So who may benefit from this audio cd?

I can think of several people.

If you are feeling down about your body image, this work is for you. If you need help with anxiety, this work is for you. If you feel overwhelmed by life, overloaded by a cascade of negative experiences to the point where you can not see one shimmer of light… yes, this would be a good one for you to listen to.

As for me and my unenlightened happy to be middle class messy big hipped self? Thanks Ms. Vazant for the reminder to be grateful for what I already have.

Amen to that!


Giving Thanks available at You Are What You Read Book Store