June 25, 1999
Web posted at: 5:29 p.m. EDT (2129 GMT)

(CNN) -- The teen-age years can be riddled with self-doubts and insecurities, especially for women.

Award-winning author Iyanla Vanzant has written a workbook for young women to affirm their feelings and help them come to a healthy self-awareness.

"Don't Give it Away" is a small, colorful book that gives a teen-ager a place where she can write her thoughts and feelings about herself.

The book is more than a workbook; it also contains self-affirming writings by Vanzant. She encourages her readers to explore the things that are important them: their feelings, looks, families and friends.

An empowerment specialist, spiritual life counselor and ordained minister, Vanzant has carefully structured the workbook so the reader is directed toward thinking emotionally and physically positive things about herself.

"It is not about what I look like or what I have.

It is not about my face, my body, or my clothes.

It is about taking what I have and doing as much as I can with it.

It is about the business of learning and growing into the best me I choose to be!

Because I know

It's All About Me!"

Readers are encouraged to look at their physical selves down to why they like their eyes, arms, hands, feet, etc., and to explore their emotions.

Through a series of exercises, Vanzant guides young women through what makes them happy, angry, confused, sad, frightened and lonely. Each of these exercises is accompanied by an affirmation that is to be repeated.

"Today I release all anger and replace it with LOVE."

This particular affirmation has instructions to "repeat this 21 times whenever you feel mad."

Vanzant is a strong believer that where the mind goes, reality follows. She tries to teach young women how to deal with the problems they are sure to face. She gives advice on how to handle emotions, both good and bad, and attempts to help them achieve focus and self-awareness.

Though she is a successful author now, Vanzant was herself a teen-age mother and a high school dropout on welfare. In this, her newest book, she shares her understanding of how lonely and hard the journey to adulthood can be.

Vanzant's previous books include "Yesterday, I Cried," "In the Meantime," "One Day My Soul Just Opened Up," "Acts of Faith," "Value in the Valley" and "Faith in the Valley."

"Don't Give It Away" is published by Fireside Books and is scheduled to be in bookstores by July 6.