The little book of big lies A journey into inner fitness

Spiritual psychologist and actor Lifford, currently seen in the Oprah Winfrey Network's Queen Sugar, proposes that inner fitness is every bit as important as physical fitness. She identifies problems people confront as lies that we've been told and that we tell ourselves, lies that gain power over us in insidious ways. Lifford's personal lies include the I Can't syndrome, lack of confidence, and the inability to break out of ruts. The author is painfully honest about her own shortcomings (to the point of calling herself out in italics when she catches herself trapped in lies). Stories from her own life or the lives of her clients illustrate specific issues and each chapter ends by recapping the lie, providing the truth, and listing concrete suggestions for combating these negative thoughts. This is a very positive read filled with thoughtful insights and affirmations. Without passing judgment, Lifford walks readers through the process of accessing the inner self, taming harmful lies, and making powerful life changes. God don't make junk, Lifford declares, then points to a path of self-acceptance and inner peace.--Candace Smith Copyright 2010 Booklist

Actor and playwright Lifford provides a valuable road map to achieving "inner fitness"--self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-care--in her frank and practical debut. The author aims to help readers recognize the "big lies" that hold them back from living a fulfilling life through a series of questions intended to unpack the things that make one feel sad or small, among them the belief that some pain lasts forever, the tendency to stay stuck in thoughts about the past, and the habit of avoiding difficult moments by rushing through days with the belief that "one day" life will be better. "Every time we avoid our feeling today," she writes, "we set ourselves up for inevitable sadness 'one day.' " Chapters begin with a question, such as "Are You Living Life Thinking Something's Wrong or Against You?" and "Do Your Circumstances Boss You Around?" and Lifford wraps up each with "inner fitness" practices--which include a restatement of the "untruth," followed by a self-empowering truth--and "try this" advice. Lifford's sage lessons will be an antidote to poisonous thoughts for those with battered self-esteem. Agent: Johanna Castillo, Writer's House. (Nov.)