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Born in Long Island, New York, Lynyetta moved to Savannah, Georgia with her family at the age of ten. Growing up as an only child, she spent many hours creating stories and allowing her imagination to run wild. Lynyetta, was raised by educators and developed a deep love for words, both written and spoken; she wrote and illustrated her first book at the age of eight and wrote countless poems before graduating high school. In her early years, Lynyetta penned many of her poetic pieces to deal with the grief she experienced surrounding the death of her grandfather whom she lost at the age of twelve.
Realizing the healing power inherent in words, Lynyetta, majored in psychology at Mercer University; she completed her Master's degree in Counseling at the University of Georgia; and earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Georgia State University. As a therapist and psychologist, Lynyetta worked in various settings and eventually established her private therapy practice, Inner Pathways Counseling and Consulting, LLC. Over the course of her career, Lynyetta has developed specializations in trauma, diversity issues and the integration of spirituality and religion into therapy.
Blessed with a gift for developing creative metaphors, Lynyetta enjoys integrating her childhood love for words with images; she uses this integration as away to reflect and deepen the experiences of those with whom she works. Lynyetta enjoys nourishing her body, mind and spirit by swimming, biking, and running; engaging in crafts such as knitting and sewing; meditating, studying spiritual texts; having fun with her family and laughing...often and fully. She continues to live in Georgia with her husband, Patrick and their two children.
Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
Growing up is very difficult. There is so much to learn and so many decisions to make. For instance, there is that overwhelmingly important decision regarding one’s future and what one can and will be as an adult. Tiev is trying to come up with something she’d like to be when she grows up. There are so many choices. She could be an explorer, a teacher, a student, a dancer, a doctor, an artist and much more, but every time she approaches a different member of the family with one possible career choice, they all say something negative about her choice and tell her, “This you cannot be.”
Discouraged, Tiev is consumed with feelings of unworthiness. There is nothing she can be when she grows up. Just as the tears take over, a voice speaks from within, a calm, soothing voice, identified as “I Am.” Gently the voice reassures Tiev that she can be anything that she wants to be, that she is worthy of being all of her choices. She is, the voice tells her, an important treasure, something that Tiev has forgotten. In fact, the voice explains, her name, Tiev, is an acronym of sorts: “Treasure in Earthen Vessel.”
Lynyetta G. Willis, PhD has written a beautiful story with lovely illustrations that teach young readers and old alike that we are all important. This is a powerful message and one that needs to be shared frequently. My Forgotten Self speaks to all of us about the earthly treasure that we are given: ourselves, our bodies, and our ability to do so many things.
