Key Takeaways
1. Embrace Your Divine Worth and Power
"You are the body that is the body of God."
Divine essence. At your core, you are a divine being with unlimited potential. This fundamental truth is often obscured by societal conditioning, past experiences, and self-doubt. Recognizing your inherent worth is not about ego or arrogance, but about aligning with your true nature.
Practical application. To embrace your divine worth:
- Start each day with a positive affirmation about your value
- Regularly engage in activities that make you feel empowered and connected to your higher self
- Surround yourself with people who recognize and appreciate your worth
- Challenge negative self-talk and replace it with self-compassion
By consistently acknowledging your divine nature, you open yourself to greater possibilities and begin to live a life that reflects your true potential.
2. Trust in the Process of Life and Personal Growth
"Life is never going to give up on you because there is something important for you to do."
Life's purpose. Every experience, whether perceived as positive or negative, serves a purpose in your personal growth and evolution. Trusting in this process means letting go of the need to control every outcome and instead focusing on learning and adapting.
Embracing uncertainty. To develop trust in life's process:
- Practice patience during challenging times, knowing they are temporary
- Look for lessons and opportunities for growth in every situation
- Cultivate a mindset of curiosity rather than judgment
- Regularly reflect on past experiences and how they've shaped you positively
Remember that personal growth is not linear. There will be setbacks and challenges, but these are integral parts of the journey. By trusting in the process, you become more resilient and open to the wisdom that life offers.
3. Forgiveness is the Key to Healing and Freedom
"Forgiveness is not something you do. It is a state of being that when offered brings forth the truth of who you are."
Liberation through forgiveness. Holding onto grudges and resentments binds you to past pain and limits your ability to experience joy in the present. Forgiveness is not about condoning harmful actions, but about freeing yourself from the emotional burden of anger and hurt.
Practicing forgiveness. To cultivate a forgiving spirit:
- Start with self-forgiveness for past mistakes and perceived shortcomings
- Practice empathy by trying to understand others' perspectives
- Use meditation or journaling to process and release negative emotions
- Make forgiveness a daily practice, addressing small grievances before they accumulate
Remember that forgiveness is a process, not a one-time event. It may require repeated effort, especially for deep wounds. However, each act of forgiveness brings you closer to emotional freedom and a more peaceful state of being.
4. Cultivate Self-Love and Self-Acceptance
"You cannot get away with inappropriate, unworthy behavior."
Self-honoring choices. True self-love involves making choices that honor your well-being and values. It's not about narcissism or selfishness, but about recognizing your inherent worth and treating yourself with the same kindness and respect you would offer a loved one.
Nurturing self-love. To develop a stronger sense of self-love and acceptance:
- Practice daily self-care rituals that nourish your body, mind, and spirit
- Set healthy boundaries in relationships and honor your needs
- Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small
- Challenge negative self-talk and replace it with compassionate self-dialogue
- Embrace your imperfections as part of what makes you unique
Remember that self-love is a journey, not a destination. Be patient with yourself as you unlearn harmful patterns and cultivate a more loving relationship with yourself.
5. Understand the Power of Your Thoughts and Beliefs
"What you make in your own mind is what you put your faith into just to prove to yourself that what you believe is correct."
Thought manifestation. Your thoughts and beliefs shape your reality by influencing your perceptions, decisions, and actions. Recognizing this power gives you the ability to consciously create the life you desire.
Harnessing thought power. To leverage the power of your thoughts:
- Practice mindfulness to become aware of your thought patterns
- Challenge limiting beliefs and replace them with empowering ones
- Use visualization and positive affirmations to reinforce desired outcomes
- Cultivate gratitude to shift focus towards the positive aspects of your life
- Surround yourself with positive influences that support your growth
Remember that changing thought patterns takes time and consistent effort. Be patient with yourself and celebrate small shifts in your thinking as you work towards a more positive and empowering mindset.
6. Practice Mindfulness and Living in the Present
"Do not allow yesterday's garbage to influence your experience today."
Present moment awareness. Living in the present moment allows you to fully engage with life and make the most of each experience. It frees you from regrets about the past and anxieties about the future, enabling you to respond to life with clarity and purpose.
Cultivating mindfulness. To develop greater present moment awareness:
- Practice regular meditation or mindfulness exercises
- Engage fully in daily activities, paying attention to sensory experiences
- Take regular breaks throughout the day to check in with yourself
- Practice gratitude for the present moment and its offerings
- When you notice your mind wandering, gently bring it back to the present
Remember that mindfulness is a skill that improves with practice. Be patient with yourself and celebrate small moments of presence as you cultivate this powerful habit.
7. Serve Others Without Expectation of Reward
"Service is about giving what you have to offer without expecting recognition or reward."
Selfless service. True service comes from a place of genuine care and desire to contribute, rather than a need for recognition or personal gain. This approach not only benefits others but also brings a sense of fulfillment and purpose to your own life.
Practicing selfless service. To cultivate a spirit of service:
- Look for small ways to help others in your daily life
- Volunteer for causes that align with your values
- Practice active listening and empathy in your interactions
- Offer your skills and talents to those who could benefit from them
- Focus on the act of giving rather than the outcome or recognition
Remember that serving others doesn't mean neglecting your own needs. Balance is key. By giving from a place of abundance rather than depletion, you can sustain your service and inspire others to do the same.
8. Develop Resilience and Learn from Challenges
"Every experience will facilitate your understanding of your purpose and will call you to use the talents and gifts you possess."
Growth through adversity. Challenges and setbacks are not merely obstacles, but opportunities for growth and self-discovery. Developing resilience allows you to bounce back from difficulties and emerge stronger and wiser.
Building resilience. To cultivate resilience:
- Reframe challenges as opportunities for learning and growth
- Develop a growth mindset that sees abilities as developable skills
- Build a support network of friends, family, or mentors
- Practice self-care and stress management techniques
- Reflect on past challenges and identify the strengths you developed
Remember that resilience is not about avoiding difficulty, but about developing the capacity to navigate challenges effectively. Each obstacle overcome builds your confidence and capacity to handle future challenges.
9. Nurture Healthy Relationships and Boundaries
"Love can only exist between equals."
Mutual respect. Healthy relationships are built on a foundation of mutual respect, trust, and understanding. They require clear communication, healthy boundaries, and a willingness to grow together.
Cultivating healthy relationships. To nurture positive connections:
- Communicate openly and honestly about your needs and feelings
- Set and respect boundaries for yourself and others
- Practice active listening and empathy
- Take responsibility for your own emotions and actions
- Celebrate each other's successes and support each other through challenges
- Regularly express appreciation and gratitude
Remember that healthy relationships require ongoing effort and attention. Be willing to address issues as they arise and to evolve together as individuals and as a unit.
10. Align Your Actions with Your True Self and Values
"Your life is a testimony of who you are."
Authentic living. Living in alignment with your true self and values brings a sense of integrity and fulfillment to your life. It involves making choices that honor your deepest truths, even when they may be challenging or unconventional.
Cultivating authenticity. To align your actions with your true self:
- Identify your core values and beliefs
- Regularly assess whether your actions reflect these values
- Make decisions based on what feels right for you, not just what others expect
- Practice honesty and transparency in your relationships
- Pursue goals and activities that resonate with your authentic self
- Be willing to let go of roles or expectations that no longer fit
Remember that living authentically is an ongoing process of self-discovery and growth. Be patient with yourself as you learn to express your true self more fully in the world.
Last updated:
FAQ
1. What is [Until Today! : Daily Devotions for Spiritual Growth and Peace of Mind] by Iyanla Vanzant about?
- Daily spiritual guidance: The book provides daily devotions organized by month, each focusing on a spiritual principle to foster spiritual growth and peace of mind.
- Inner transformation: It emphasizes healing and transforming the inner self through self-reflection, acceptance, and surrender to Divine will.
- Practical spiritual tools: Readers are guided to examine their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, using affirmations, prayer, and self-inquiry for personal transformation.
- Themes of responsibility and healing: The devotions encourage moving beyond blame and victimhood toward empowerment and understanding the divine purpose behind life’s experiences.
2. Why should I read [Until Today!] by Iyanla Vanzant?
- Step-by-step spiritual growth: The daily format makes spiritual development manageable and consistent, supporting gradual transformation.
- Empowerment and self-awareness: The book helps readers gain clarity about their beliefs, promoting self-empowerment and healing.
- Inclusive and accessible: It respects all spiritual paths, using terms like God, Spirit, and Universe, making it accessible regardless of religious background.
- Pathway to peace: The devotions teach alignment with divine principles such as forgiveness, faith, and love, fostering inner peace regardless of external circumstances.
3. What are the key takeaways and spiritual principles in [Until Today!] by Iyanla Vanzant?
- Monthly spiritual themes: Each month centers on a universal principle—Life, Love, Awareness, Acknowledgment, Acceptance, Forgiveness, Understanding, Faith, Trust, Worth, Service, and Peace.
- Inner work focus: The book guides readers to examine and heal thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that block happiness and fulfillment.
- Progressive learning: The order of principles supports a step-by-step deepening of self-awareness and spiritual maturity.
- Practical application: Each devotion includes an “Until Today!” statement (old belief) and a “Just for today” practice (new action or thought).
4. How does Iyanla Vanzant define and use "devotion" in [Until Today!]?
- Devotion as surrender: Devotion is described as surrendering personal will to Divine will, not imposing one’s will on God or others.
- Daily commitment: It involves a daily practice of new ways of thinking and being, supported by affirmations and sometimes actions.
- Foundation for healing: Devotion to healing and loving oneself internally is seen as the basis for manifesting a better outer life.
- Lifestyle of openness: The book teaches devotion as a lifestyle that opens the mind and spirit to receive God’s goodness.
5. What is the "Landscape of Myself" concept in [Until Today!] by Iyanla Vanzant?
- Three aspects of self: The public self (strengths), the hidden self (weaknesses, fears), and the emerging self (dreams, faith, self-love).
- Inner challenges: The hidden self includes areas like the “swamp of self-deception” and “valley of self-doubt,” representing internal struggles.
- Transformation goal: Readers are encouraged to honestly acknowledge all three selves and devote themselves to transforming weaknesses into strengths.
- Embracing divine essence: The process involves embracing one’s divine nature and moving toward wholeness.
6. How should readers use [Until Today!] for daily spiritual practice?
- Daily reading and reflection: Each day presents a passage with an old limiting belief and a new empowering thought or action.
- Affirmations and actions: Readers are encouraged to repeat affirmations and perform specific actions to embody new ways of being.
- Integration with existing faith: The book is designed to complement, not replace, existing spiritual or religious practices.
- Consistent practice: The daily format supports building a habit of self-reflection and spiritual growth.
7. How does [Until Today!] by Iyanla Vanzant approach forgiveness and self-forgiveness?
- Forgiveness as self-healing: Forgiveness begins with oneself, releasing guilt and resentment to enable growth and peace.
- God’s unconditional mercy: The book reminds readers that divine forgiveness is always available and unconditional.
- Breaking victimhood: Forgiving oneself and others breaks cycles of blame and victimization, reclaiming personal power.
- Compassionate release: The devotions encourage compassionate forgiveness as a path to healing and spiritual freedom.
8. What role do faith and trust play in [Until Today!] and how can readers develop them?
- Faith as character development: Faith is essential for enduring challenges and developing inner strength.
- Faith and trust are linked: Faith is the ability to see the invisible; trust is the confidence that what is unseen is real.
- Practical faith-building: The book advises calling on God, trusting divine timing, and being diligent and patient.
- Self-trust foundation: Trust starts within, and self-trust is necessary for trusting others and the life process.
9. How does [Until Today!] by Iyanla Vanzant address self-worth and personal value?
- Self-worth through acceptance: Knowing, saying, and believing the best about oneself is foundational.
- Conditions don’t define worth: External circumstances or labels do not determine a person’s true value.
- Embracing all aspects: Accepting both light and dark sides of oneself is necessary for true self-worth.
- Prioritizing self-care: Valuing one’s own company and taking care of oneself are vital expressions of self-worth.
10. What guidance does [Until Today!] offer about trust and cultivating it?
- Trust starts within: Self-trust is the foundation for trusting others and the process of life.
- Avoid self-betrayal: Anger at others for betrayal often masks anger at oneself for misplaced trust.
- Trust the process: Trust involves surrendering control and relying on divine guidance and support.
- Discipline and courage: Trust requires doing the hard work and facing fear and uncertainty with courage.
11. How does [Until Today!] by Iyanla Vanzant suggest readers serve others and live a life of service?
- Service without expectation: True service is giving fully without expecting recognition or reward.
- Bless difficult people: Offering silent blessings to challenging individuals is a powerful form of service.
- Clear communication: Sharing honest, loving messages without attachment to outcomes serves both self and others.
- Living authentically: Being a light and standing confidently in one’s power inspires and supports others.
12. What are some practical ways [Until Today!] by Iyanla Vanzant recommends for achieving peace of mind?
- Choose peace actively: Peace is a choice, regardless of external chaos or circumstances.
- Focus and prioritize: Doing one thing at a time and letting go of excuses reduces overwhelm.
- Forgive and accept truth: Forgiving oneself and acknowledging truth are essential for inner peace.
- Live in the present: Releasing past burdens and fears of the future opens space for peace now.
Review Summary
Until Today! is a highly regarded daily devotional book that readers find inspiring and transformative. Many use it as a morning meditation, praising its ability to provide exactly what they need each day. Reviewers appreciate Vanzant's writing style, spiritual insights, and focus on personal growth. The book is seen as accessible to people of various faiths and backgrounds. While some found the year-long commitment challenging, most readers reported significant positive impacts on their lives and relationships, often returning to the book year after year for continued guidance.
Similar Books








Download PDF
Download EPUB
.epub
digital book format is ideal for reading ebooks on phones, tablets, and e-readers.