Inside My Heart

Choosing to Live With Passion and Purpose





by Robin McGraw



I received this book as a gift the Christmas before last (yes, it was on my wish list), and finally got around to reading it. I've always been a fan of Dr. Phil, and slowly grew to admire Robin as well as I saw more of her on his show. I love that she is in the audience supporting him everyday, and that he respects her opinion enough to ask her to share it on the show on a regular basis.

Here is a brief synopsis of the book:

You've seen her on television with her husband, Dr. Phil. But now it's time for a heart-to-heart conversation with Robin McGraw. In Inside My Heart, Robin speaks woman to woman, inspiring you to embrace and celebrate the many roles you play and encouraging you to make deliberate choices that lead to a richer, happier, and more meaningful life.

She shares with you the life-changing moments of her childhood years, dating and marrying Dr. Phil McGraw, raising two sons, and asserting herself as a woman in a man's world to show you that you have the power to make choices in your life. In fact, she's convinced that you must choose to go after the life you want.

With a deep and abiding faith in God, Robin McGraw shares her story so you too can make choices that reflect your own heart's truest priorities and highest goals.

When I added the book to my wish list, I thought it was an autobiography. As I started reading it, I realized it was a sort of psuedo self help book with her life story mixed in for effect. Had I known that to begin with I may not have requested it, but it didn't take me long to get hooked in the book. She writes just like she talks. I could hear her reading every word in my head (one of the many voices in there - lol). She was genuine, sincere, and direct.

I found her stories about motherhood particularly appealing. In one chapter, she writes, "Being a mother is more than a phase in my life; for me, it's a never-ending mission, my calling here on earth. And when the time comes and I'm standing before my heavenly Father, I just want Him to say to me, 'Job well done'." That really stuck in my mind - in fact that whole chapter on a Mother's Heart has stuck with me. Oh who am I kidding, the whole dang book keeps running through my head! In the end, I can say I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, and plan to hang on to it (I usually pass books on once I've read it) so I can read it again. There is a strong message of self preservation, and I think it is one that every woman should read.

Have you read it? What did you think of it? It was (is?) on the NYT Best Seller's list for awhile, so I know I'm not alone here! Talk to me!