REVIEWS

Solid advice in anchor’s small book

From the Heart: Seven Rules to Live By by: Robin Roberts Hyperion, 2007 ISBN: 1401303331 192 pages

This little book is packed with great wisdom. Don’t let the size fool you.

It may be an easy read, but in order to absorb the information, don’t rush. Enjoy it. This book took me over three weeks to finish!

Many may know Robin Roberts from “Good Morning America” but I had never heard of her before picking the book. The title intrigued me. So did the idea of advice from a woman of color.

When I delved into the first chapter, I was pleasantly surprised by what I read. As you walk along her journey, you are privy to her thoughts, her struggles, and her victories.

She is not a victim. She does not see her gender or her skin color as barriers to her success; when she speaks, she speaks from the heart of a being that is human. As a woman of color myself, I found this quite refreshing. Her advice is honest, and she does not make you feel that if you don’t follow these rules, that somehow you have failed. Instead, she tells you explicitly at the end of the book to break the rules and make your own.

There are many books written about spirituality. Though she is a spiritual person as well as a religious one, she is not preaching her gospel to the masses. Her words are full of passion and she uplifts the reader with examples from her life. What strikes me throughout the book is the love and respect she has for her family, especially for her parents.

Roberts’ parents grew up in a time of more explicit racism, but her parents never used it to feel victimized. They were brought up to believe they belonged on this earth and their work came from the desire to be the best, to be the change they wanted to see. Armed with a strong identity, they worked hard to provide values, attitudes, ideas, integrity, accountability, responsibility and choices for their children. As a result, each knew his or her self-worth and saw greatness staring back from the mirror. Wow, what a great foundation to be born with!

Though the celebrated TV host is invited into the homes of millions each morning, she is humble when she speaks of her brothers and sisters. She exudes the love, admiration and respect she has for each of them. Her communication is arrogance-free. She is an example the importance of family, love and support, especially when handling the ups and downs of fame. She has escaped the celebrity trap that renders so many young famous celebrities reckless and self-destructive.

Young and old, we need strong role models. I am grateful that I have yet another one that my daughter may also appreciate. Roberts’ From the Heart is the kind of book you can hand down to your children.