I first came across Iyanla Vanzant when I happened to pick up a book of hers in 2006 – Yesterday, I Cried: Celebrating the Lessons of Living and Loving. I’ve been reading her off and on via her website and watching her on Oprah’s Lifeclass.
Iyanla’s no-nonsense style and ‘telling it like it is’ way of speaking truly resonates with me. I love her wit and her turn of phrase.
When I saw this quote of hers recently, I felt drawn to share it and add my own thoughts to it.
You are a guest in this house. Life has invited you in for a while. You don’t know how long you are going to be here, so while you are here you must be on your best behaviour.
Oh yes, I realize that. As I get older, I start to wonder how many years more I have and how meaningful I’m going to make those years. It seems like the days are just not long enough to do what I want to do – there’s so much to learn, to realize, to become.
However, I don’t want to be going through life acting as if there’s no tomorrow either. I’m trying to pace myself – to prioritize – to make choices that will make my life and the life of those I am connected with more meaningful. And that’s not always simple, is it?
Finding balance is what it’s all about. I refuse to be afraid of the future but look forward to it with eager anticipation. José says he has never seen any woman who keeps talking excitedly about being 50 when she’s only a few months past 48! No, I’m not expecting a fancy party – just that hitting the half-way mark (yes, I have great genes! 😉 ) seems so exciting! Midlife is highly recommended – I can’t understand what the fuss about getting old is all about.
I was alsohttp://midlifeboulevard.com/best-advice-ever-received/quite taken up with Iyanla’s phrase ‘best behaviour‘. You know, for years I thought ‘best behaviour’ had to do with fitting in – making sure that I didn’t ruffle people’s feathers that I did what I could to please people. I’ve realized it’s more to do with choosing behaviour that best reflects my true self. Only recently, a friend called me out on something petty I did – she told me that she didn’t think that something I shared on Facebook reflected the person she knew I was. At first, I told her, that was just what I felt. But I knew she was right. I deleted the update and felt better for it.
It’s not always easy to make the best choices in behaviour, but the important thing is for me to be constantly aware of whether my behaviour and actions reflect my best self.
The rest of what Iyanla says makes perfect sense too.
If you make a mess, clean up after yourself. I do find it hard to admit I’ve made mistakes or bad choices – but I’m growing up, I am and taking responsibility for my choices and happiness is something I’m constantly working on.
Don’t wait to be told what to do. Do it with joy and love, and please do it well. I take this to mean that I should always look within myself to find what I am meant to do in this world and to do it with passion. At present, I know one of the things I’m called to do is write and blog and I’m attempting to do it with joy and love, and put passion into it.
Have you read or watched Iyanla? What do you make of her wisdom?
‘My best behaviour that best reflects my true self. ‘ Great definition Corinne and so true. And doing what we see needs to be with joy and love instead of begrudgingly can only make a huge difference to us being in the flow of this wonderful thing called life.
Very inspiring read. Thank you. 🙂
Elle recently posted..Stop Sabotaging Yourself: How To Manage Procrastination
Love your post and I just found this quote on Alex’s blog When you stand and share your story in an empowering way, your story will heal you and your story will heal somebody else. – Iyanla Vanzant I haven’t read any of her books , but now on the to do list. I was inspired and uplfted by Iyanla when I first met her via Oprah’s life class. Thank you for expanding and now I will be more aware of my best behaviour 🙂 Namaste
Suzie Cheel recently posted..Releasing What’s Holding You Back
Loved this post 🙂 🙂 Absolute truth in the words when you say that best behavior means choosing a behavior, a action, that best reflects you! And also choosing to take responsibility for that behavior/action…’YOU’…the power is within!
Aditi recently posted..Your eyes
Thanks for introducing Iyanla. and I fully agree with her quote.
People dread midlife or growing old as the crowning glory , which was once a prized possession, is now grey and dull , the crow’s feet and the wrinkled skin. Many people refuse to accept their age or say that , ‘I don’t look my age’. and this syndrome starts around 50 yrs of age.Corinne , my hair had started to grey but I haven’t yet coloured it black. I get all sorts of advice from ladies who think themselves very young , taking refuge under hair colours.
Yes , I feel bad when there is a decrease in stamina and agility with age. I wish to learn and cook recipes and do a lot of work . Health can no longer be taken for granted.
I’ve never heard of Iyanla but I love her quote. Such a unique way of looking at life – as being a guest. That resonates with me. I love being in the 50s. I think I have lived more “fully” in my 50s than I have ever done before. Super post.
Suzy recently posted..UBC Day 23 – Inspiration comes in the strangest of places
Slightly off topic but somehow , I have no idea why as I am growing older this odd feeling inside me called emptiness is growing. I have started to fear death. I hear news of death or grave illness around me and I quickly start to analyse the particular person’s life. I tell myself that at this moment they must be making a report card in their head.
And this scares me. I want to be more than flesh blood and greed in this life… And hence your post comes just in time..
richa singh recently posted..Was she relieved after all?-Part 20
Well said Corinne. Love the way she describes ‘best behaviour’. I too would have thought that means not ruffling too many feathers. But the thing is to be true to yourself. That’s any day tougher.
Too true! I like her use of the term Best behavior. We think of it as good conduct…love the idea of living life meaningfully while we have the chance to live it!
Michelle Liew recently posted..Raising the Red Lantern
I really do need to pick up her books, Corinne. Read excerpts and quotes from Iyanla in many places and seen her on Oprah clips, but haven’t read her books yet. This quote is indeed powerful reminding us to be in the present moment and remind us that life is indeed temporary. And I like your addition in that we have to live every day making choices that make your life and the life of others more meaningful – essentially enjoying each day and moment with meaning.
What a nice way of thinking about best behavior – yes, indeed let’s show up as our best selves and our most authentic manifestation to the world. Easy to forget and wise words to remind ourselves daily as we carry ourselves into the world. thanks for sharing this quote Corinne and your reflections on it.
I guess I would add, yes, we are indeed a guest in this house but take your luggage when you leave:) And by that I mean the life lessons, wisdom, reflection, insight and compassion.
Iyanla is a fine lady and her wisdom has made me also walk atleast half a mile.
Her quote…Don’t be like your shoes
Makes me always look at people via their shoes they wear 😉
Ruchira recently posted..Living life the futuristic way!
As I get older and since I have kids, I find myself mellowing out and being on better behavior even more. I used to have quite a volatile temper that I will chalk up to raging hormones. LOL Course with menopause knocking on my door, those hormones are rocking my world yet again on rare occasions. This was a lovely post filled with lots of inspiration and motivation for me to be the best I can be. Thank you!! ♥
Kathy recently posted..My Compliments
How wonderful, Corinne. This picture I had seen a few days on Google and I read through it. Connected with it too. The line that struck a chord with me was ‘If you make a mess, clean up after yourself. ‘ Just like you mentioned I guess I have made mistakes and learnt that taking responsibility of the mess made by us in our lives and then cleaning it up will only pave the way ahead.
Beautiul post there, Corinne 🙂
Rainbow Hues recently posted..The Artiste
That’s a great quote by Iyanla!
According to me, ‘best behaviour’ means behaviour that is approved by one’s conscience. Of course, that also means one’s conscience must be alive, awake and alert!!!
Proactive Indian recently posted..All political parties put together cannot be bigger than our nation
I just loved this quote and I loved how you put your own thoughts into this post using it. I don’t dread getting old but what I’m not looking forward to, is any aches and pains along the way. And believe me, I’m already on that road. I love to see people with pure white/gray hair, it’s like a crown of glory on one’s head. Plus, I can’t wait to join the ‘Silver Surfers’ Club too, ha ha ha.
Rum Punch Drunk recently posted..Till Death Us Do Part?
With grace ~ that’s how I see you as you grow younger at heart ahahaha ~ love it. You’ve been contemplating on being 50 and I on 40 ahahaha…
Thank you for sharing Iyanla ~ I don’t know her actually 🙂 but any quote that inspires and gives life is something I really appreciate.
We’ve been reflecting much on the shortness of life and how unexpected blows could just happen. I remember a friend who got sick. I was amazed that she continues to live faithfully to her duties. I guess that’s how I would want it to be for me ~ to live the best me too every single moment of everyday ~ always in God’s mercy and grace 🙂
Melissa recently posted..Epiphany: On Life and Nature