Making personal and professional decisions are not always easy. I can think of quite a few that had my head spinning: Do I stay in my hometown or move to a new city to pursue my goals and dreams? Should I leave a “stable” but unsatisfying job and take on a freelance gig that promises more money and creative opportunity? Can I make this relationship work or should I move on to someone new? Sometimes I find myself still questioning my decisions, even though I know I made the best choices I could make at the time with what I was equipped with mentally and emotionally.

Imagine that you’re Iyanla Vanzant. Successful author, relationship guide and guru and besties with none other than Oprah Winfrey. Okay, maybe not besties, because we all know Gayle King holds that title, but she likes and respects you enough to not only give you face time, but talk time on her show at the beginning of your career. She also lets you take the stage while she sits in the audience. Then an opportunity comes up with another big name in television, Barbara Walters, who wants to give you your own show. Oprah does too, but feels you need to wait and grow more. Which choice would you make? Stay with Oprah and wait a while before you get to take the TV reins, or go with Barbara where you can hit the ground running NOW?

Iyanla was forced to make that difficult decision which had a great impact on her life, career and relationship with Oprah. She writes about this painful period in her new book entitled, “Peace from Broken Pieces: How to Get Through What You’re Going Through“, which is my Book Binge selection this week.

Being a fan of Iyanla’s I can’t wait to read this book. I didn’t know much about what happened between Vanzant and Oprah, but I did wonder why she hadn’t been on television in a while. The book also covers her personal triumphs and tragedies during the last ten years and how she was able to endure and continue to flourish.

The following is an interview which aired on Feb 16th where Iyanla and Oprah clear the air about what really happened between them. It is riveting television that will make you laugh, cry and also think back on some of the decisions you’ve made. It is a teaching and learning moment. Stay tuned next week as the two media queens conclude their conversation on Feb 23rd. I will post the clip along with my personal thoughts.

Also, visit Oprah’s website for behind the scenes information on the interview and exclusives from Iyanla Vanzant.

PERSONAL CHALLENGE: Think back on a difficult decision you had to make. With the benefit of time, would you make the same choices? Why or why not? What were your life lessons? Please share!

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