Finding Me: The Grammy-winning memoir

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This is my story, from a crumbling apartment in Central Falls, Rhode Island, to the stage in New York City, and beyond. This is the path I took to finding my purpose but also my voice in a world that didn’t always see me. Find a mentor. Though ultimately soul-searching can only be done by you and it's only you that determines what you need, having a mentor will be an incredible resource when you hit those unavoidable bumps in the road. Seek out someone you trust who has a definite sense of self. [5] X Research source How did they do it? If you have been victimized in the past, confront these issues. They're not going to go away on their own. They might be coloring your approach to daily life, causing you to live up to other people's expectations instead of your own. Tap Notify Me to get notified of a friend's location change.* Tap Notify Friend to notify a friend of your location change. I started from a poverty stance, but I was blessed in mine due to the help of many others and the family that helped save us. As an adult, when the economy crashed, I was at the mercy of my family, especially my grandmother; things could have been a lot worse without her. There was abuse on a much lesser scale, but it helped me find a clue of relatability and to feel for a small percentage of the terrors she experienced.

Through you through me to others it’s my hope whoever is touched will find Hope. Peace. Joy in the wounds of why they are, too. My only regret- I have from listening to Viola read ‘this/her’ memoir so brilliantly—is that I wish I had been part of a small book group -having ongoing discussions—chapter by chapter.Society has a very covert way of handing us the "misfits", condemning the "losers", idolizing the "beautiful", alienating the "strange." But here's a heads up: These describing words have no basis in reality. How do you feel about the world around you? Think about what you believe to be good and bad — not what anyone else has told you. College started badly for Viola, who felt she could not permit herself to study acting. Viola feared an entertainment career would not help her support herself, and she didn't want to live in poverty like her parents. Thus Viola took English classes and fell into a deep depression. In sophomore year, Viola found her courage, decided to be a theater major and was on her way career-wise. Nevertheless, college was a challenge in other ways. I now understand that life and living it is more about being present. I'm now aware that the not-so-happy memories lie in wait; but the hope and the joy also lie in wait." I feel connected to her and to all the women, of any color, of any biological nature, who fight every day for the birthright to be themselves.

Viola Davis lived in abject poverty oftentimes without heat, clean clothing, clean bedding, and food. She was continually harassed and bullied. Throughout her life, she experienced what she calls the one-two punch of colorism and sexism. My biggest discovery was that you can literally re-create your life. You can redefine it. You don't have to live in the past." This has got to be my favorite read of the year. I loved Viola Davis before, but now I’m IN love with her. The immense respect and admiration I have for her is deep. The things she endured as a kid, teen, woman—period. I can honestly say that I’ve never experienced. I’ve never missed a meal for days. I’ve never had to lie in my own urine and go to school the next day reeking. I’ve never had to fight with huge rats over my bed & pillow. I’ve never witness my father beat my mom within an inch of her life and I’ve never experienced racism on the level that Viola has for being too dark. What she went through for being dark skinned, what her mom went through as a child..absolutely horrific. I’m baffled at just how powerful — brutal - heart wrenching- heartbreaking - heart stopping - and deeply, profoundly ‘soul’-generous Viola Davis is…..in ‘telling all’. STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND RUN, RUUUNNN TO THE BOOKSTORE AND BUY THIS BOOK, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!!! ITS A TOPS!!! 💚💚💚Our bodies are not the 'spoils of war'… a trophy to be collected to fuel your ego. It's OURS!!! It doesn't belong to you!! And when you take it without permission, it DESTROYS…… like a virus!!!" Paul listened to ‘parts’ - but not all of this book —-(he and I had several conversations—but he missed a lot of poignant parts)…. Spend some time alone each day to contemplate your life and what you really want in a calm, judgement-free zone.

I’m going to go crazy if I try to say here all the things I really want to say…..and readers who are kind enough to read this review will go nuts if I ‘do’ write all I have to say….(so I’ll never succeed)….

Alain de Botton, "Now What Do I Do with All This You-Ness?" p. 115, in The Oprah Magazine, "Love Yourself, " (2010), ISBN 0-8487-3365-7 It’s no accident that Time Magazine named Viola Davis one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Finding Me is a raw and honest memior about growing up in abject poverty with an abusive and alcoholic father. Surviving child sexual abuse/incest and coping with systemic racism to become an Oscar winning actress.