A Plentiful Harvest: Creating Balance and Harmony Through the Seven Living Virtues Book

She was president of one of the country's top publicity agencies, with a Who's Who in Entertainment client list that included Eddie Murphy, Miles Davis, and Janet Jackson. The bestselling author of The Personal Touch, she was a popular speaker for Fortune 500 companies and academia alike. Yet Terrie Williams felt more stressed out than successful, frantic instead of fulfilled. She felt there had to be something more than rushing to meet constant deadlines and to be in endless places, and she found it somewhere she never expected...

Publishers Weekly

In this follow-up to her popular The Personal Touch, Williams promotes seven Kwanzaa-inspired virtues-calling, thrift, responsibility, community, love, spirituality and creativity-as the essential ingredients for balanced living. As the head of America's most important African-American PR firm (they represent Janet Jackson, Sean Puffy Combs, Jesse Jackson and others) and a former social worker, Williams seems qualified to write about balancing a hectic life. While her first book was "about helping sistahs and brothers in business," this one discusses "caring for our souls and spirits and bodies." Williams's experiences growing up in the lower middle class, her relationships with friends, lovers and family, her hands-on service in the community to support disenfranchised youth along with her business career are the contexts through which she explains how to "work the virtues." She suggests readers spend a few hours every week reflecting on different aspects of each value and that they maintain a journal. Although Williams presents the seven virtues as part of the Kwanzaa faith, they are found in many spiritual paths. The material is clear and accessible, and if workaholics follow Williams's 52-week program, they should acquire some useful tips to help balance their lifestyles. (Nov. 5) Forecast: The galley bills Williams's book as "Simple Abundance [by Sarah Ban Breathnach] meets One Day My Soul Just Opened Up [by Iyanla Vanzant]." Readers of both of those popular books are likely to look at this, although it is facing some competition with the near-simultaneous publication of Ban Breathnach's Romancing the Ordinary (Forecasts, Sept. 30). Forewords by Vanzant and Essence editor-in-chief Susan L. Taylor and an author tour ensure high visibility for this book. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.