In the years that Dr. Gilda Carle has been counseling guests on my show, her practical advice and vibrant personality have endeared her to millions of viewers ... she's the best in the business. Sally Jessy Raphael
Best Speaker in America, Editor's Choice Successful Meetings Magazine
Female Tony Robbins with a doctorate Bloomberg Financial News
Busiest television therapist in the business; resembles a young Lucille Ball New York Times
TV's #1 talk-show therapist; hotter than the Sahara; part philosopher and part stand-up comic Gannett Newspapers
America's Favorite Relationship Expert American Media, Inc.
The warmth and sincere concerns from this professor are real and are genuinely appreciated by her students. Far more than communications classes, hers are truly self-improvement workshops. I call Dr. Gilda 'Mother Teresa with lipstick and The Wall Street Journal.' Wayne Cioffari, Dean, Mercy College MBA Graduate Program, New York
The camera loves her. She looks like a film star. Rex Reed
Elevates the self-esteem of everyone from CEOs to street people . . . cheerleader for our deepest selves . . . facilitator of change Philadelphia Inquirer
Gilda Carle is an absolute wonder. Whether she is successful by hypnotizing us into believing that we are terrific, or she actually teaches us how to be terrific, is a mystery I will never unravel. J. Richard Goldstein, M.D., former New Jersey State Commissioner of Health; President and CEO, New Jersey Council of Teaching Hospitals
A real role model for teens Jenny Jones
The name you know: Dr. Gilda Carle. After you read 'Don't Bet on the Prince!,' you can bet that your attitude about life will change. Mr. Blackwell
Dr. Gilda is our fave know-it-all. Teen People Magazine
Dear Dr. Gilda,
I just read your advice to "Divorced with Children" on MSN.com's Dating & Personals Page. You told the woman to be assertive with her new man who wants her to separate from her ex's family. You said that because of her kids' bond with them, these people are hers for life. I want to say, "Ada Girl!" to you. I only wish I had read this years ago when I was in a relationship where the man wanted me to reject MY WHOLE FAMILY, INCLUDING MY DAUGHTER. I was very weak, and I agonized over the issue for several years before we parted ways. I was very much in love, and too blind to see that his control was abuse, not caring. Life would have taken on a much more powerful edge if I had the insight then that you gave this woman now. My only hope is that she takes your advice. Life is too short, and there are other men out there. I believe it's better to be alone than to be with the wrong man.
Please feel free to use my words on your web site if they will help even one other woman. As I said, I wish I had had your words to guide me and wake me up years ago. You're a wonderful friend to us ladies. Please keep reminding us of our strength and purpose. I do believe that women ARE the backbone of our society, and all of us (including men) can benefit from letting us be our worthy selves.
Take good care. I will stay tuned to your advice on your web site. Thanks for being there for us.
Nancy E. Price
Dear Dr. Gilda,
I need to thank you from the heart. I was hurting bad due to my unfaithful mate. I ordered your online books “How to WIN When Your Mate Cheats” and “99 Prescriptions for Fidelity.” Wow! I read everything, picked my time, and had a conFRONTation, as you define it. You were right about how to handle this situation. I learned more about my mate and our relationship in one conversation than I had in the last four years!! He actually heard me, and opened up about his fears and insecurities, with which I wasn’t helping, because I wasn’t aware he had any! Thanks to you, I have the insight required to be mature about things, and I feel we are on the way to healing our relationship, instead of returning to the way it was.
I don’t know you but I consider you an absolute blessing in my life, Dr. Gilda. I continue to re-read your books, and get more from them on each reading. I think you are a miracle worker. This is the best I have felt in two years. This is also the most hopeful I have been about the state of my relationship. I learned more from your books than I learned in therapy during the last two years! I also learned that if my relationship doesn’t work out, surprise, I will be O.K.
I have tears of gratitude and love in my heart for you, Dr. Gilda. Thank you for releasing me from the prison I have been living in. Thanks so much for everything.
With great respect,
Janet Rothwell (Ontario, Canada)
Dear Dr. Gilda,
I always enjoy reading your newsletters, and I hope you’ll keep them coming. I am less angry than I used to be. My husband is trying very hard to make me happy after all the destruction he caused during the early part of our marriage. Thank you for being my life raft when I was spiraling downward. I think you saved me!
Roxanne Holmes
Hello Dr. Gilda,
Wow, there is actually someone to answer these things, and it was very fast. Thank you for giving me your Instant Advice, and for responding with such valid points. This is a great service, and I'll be registering for another round in the future!
John Rumsford
Dear Dr. Gilda,
I think the true test of knowing yourself is putting into effect what you learn from your classes. Your course made me want to celebrate life again and grow friendships. For a long time, I had been focused on pleasing my immediate family, caring for my home, and juggling my marriage. But through you, I found my former self, the big "I." You helped me deal with my emotions and get them under control. Now I benefit at work, in my home life, and in my marriage. Every time I feel that I am slipping, I pick up your book, "Don't Bet on the Prince!," and read a couple of pages. You empowered me to think of myself as a "Work in Progress," and my happiness is in my hands. I can also never thank you enough for all the time you've given me outside of class.
Maria Corea-Gray
Dr. Gilda is not only bright, articulate and passionate, but she is also very empathetic. I watched her literally drink in everyone's story-no mean feat-especially given the time constraints. She was personally responsive to each and every one of us. The results were amazing!
She blows into a room and is larger than life. We were soon realizing that our lives could be as large as we wanted them to be, to fit our expanded boundaries. She empowered us to believe that not only could we achieve our dreams, but that we deserved to! Dr. Gilda obviously loves what she does, and deserves the highest praise and thanks for sharing her gift with us.
Lily Bornstein
Hi Dr. Gilda,
As I left class last night, I could not help but wonder if our course was just a dream. It went so fast. In this short time, I feel like we are family. I know so much about you, and you know a lot about me. People talk about you in comparison to Mother Teresa, and I definitely agree. You are a stranger who came into my life for a month, yet you have given me more love and awareness for myself than most people I have known during my whole life. Honey, your mission to change the world is surely working! I busted my butt for many years to change things like racism in the church, drugs and violent abuse, low self-esteem, and other problems of poor people. I suffered for crimes committed by poor Blacks and Hispanics. And I spent most of my life trying to prove that there are good minorities.
Now, with your help, I am able to move on. This was the reason I became so emotional at the end of my final presentation last night. Thank you for giving me the tools to discover ME and to learn how to sell myself. I am definitely ready to present my 30-second "commercial" to anyone I meet in the future.
This is only the beginning. I have a deeper understanding of what it takes to be a manager and what the real power of communication is. After all these years, finally, I have become a Capital "I".
Dr. Gilda, I am going to miss seeing you in class next week. I love you for showing me how to love me.
Frederick D. Fulford Jr.
Dear Dr. Gilda,
I am honored and blessed to know you, Dr. Gilda. It's incredible how, in just a couple of hours and with your great book, one can see a more complete photo of oneself.
Melanie Fox
Dear Dr. Gilda,
Thank you for my Instant Advice. WOW, you saw things that I could not and did not, and yet you do not even know my girlfriend! But you were so on target! I can't thank you enough.
Larry Weiner
Dear Dr. Gilda,
I wanted to tell you how honored I am in having met you. You are a great person and I hope we cross paths again in life. Thank you so much for all your support and for the knowledge you instilled in me in such a short period of time. I feel like I can help others in my life now. GOD BLESS YOU.
Sonia Gonzalez
Dear Dr. Gilda,
Thank you for writing the recommendation that will surely impress a law school admissions board. It means a great deal that you have so much confidence in my ability. Your words depict a woman who is an anomaly in the academic arena. I consistently put your insight to practice to exude confidence in this harsh world.
One Gilda-Gram that resonates with me daily and helps me through tough times is: No decision should be made out of weakness; make all decisions out of strength. This mantra is the foundation for my journey. Thank you, Dr. Gilda, for your recommendation, and especially for your wisdom.
Forever your apprentice,
Michael Marquis
Dear Dr. Gilda,
I sat on the "should-I-get-a-divorce?" fence for a long time. Oh how I did. But as I did, I wrote. And wrote, and wrote. And read your book, "Don't Bet on the Prince!" You even signed my copy. You and I had an email session, and your take made me realize many things. I read your emails a lot, and did a ton of work. As I read your book, I found myself, and knew I was ok alone, and looked for ways to get my book out there. Then I got a divorce. And started to find ME again. Then I self-published "Black Hole: A Novel." And things in it started to happen TO ME!!! It's UNCANNY the stuff that's happened to me! And YOU helped me start it. Don't get me wrong, I had another therapist, but your take on it was different from hers, and filled in the blanks. So, THANK YOU.
J.P. Daly
Dear Dr. Gilda,
Before taking your class, I didn't even know that I was lost in life. I thought things were going fine, not realizing that "I" (with a Capital) was missing from the equation, because I was so busy handling everyone else's problems.
Your self-assessments and class discussions have helped me rediscover myself, set boundaries, and grow. In your book, "Don't Bet on the Prince!," I cried my eyes out completing Assessment #6, "Do I Put Myself First?" I discovered how resistant I was to honoring my own priorities. This was an eye-opener for me.
I refuse to let people take advantage of me anymore. I have an issue exploding right now at work where I've been treated unfairly. Because of you, I am able to stand up for my rights. The old me would have spoken meekly to my boss, and that's as far as it would have gone. No more, though.
You have also helped me in my marriage. Of course, I continue to do a lot for my family, but I am now aware that I have needs and wants that must come first sometimes. And I communicate them without feeling guilty. For everything, thank you!
Lisa Pegues
Dr. Gilda:
I cannot thank you enough for such a wonderful and encouraging class. Yours was by far the best class at Mercy College! Your book, "Don't Bet on the Prince!," is amazing, and it made me realize my self-worth on a different level. One of the things I pride myself on is my awareness, but there were things I learned about myself that I was not aware of. I cannot thank you enough!! I am truly going to miss you!
Luv,
Christine Magner
Hiya Dr. Gilda,
I
finally had the opportunity to use what you taught me. My manager
asked me to prepare a presentation for the Department Vice President,
the Senior Executive Vice President, and the President of the
Company. I felt no anxiety, just a desire to show who I am,
what I have learned, and what I can do. After my presentation,
on his way out, the President stopped by my desk to shake my
hand, and compliment me!
Thank you,
Dr. Gilda. Without your experience, strength and teaching, I
could not have projected your concept of my power image on these
very influential people.Larry Crilley
Dear Dr. Gilda,
Thank
you for everything!! You have truly been a LIFE SAVER. No one
knows just how much. I think that without you, I would still
be in the doldrums somewhere, LOST.
I
speak to all my friends about your book, “Don’t
Bet on the Prince!” God Speed to you.Cathy Charles
Dear Dr. Gilda,
I
wanted to take this time out to personally thank you for providing
insight into my misguided parenting. You helped me see
the dangers of self-indulgence, and of living my life vicariously
through my children. I learned the need to let go. I know now
that some things need to be experienced by my children themselves. Gregory Baxter
Dear Dr. Gilda,
I
learned a lot about myself from Self Assessment #4, “Ask
for What I Need and Want” in your book, “Don’t
Bet on the Prince!” I compare myself to the person I was
10 years ago, 5 years ago, 2 years ago and today. How I’ve
changed!
Ten years ago, I wouldn’t even have considered
asking for what I needed or wanted. Five years ago, I would
have asked what people other than myself needed or wanted. Two
years ago, I would have avoided the question all together because
I would have been embarrassed for needing or wanting anything.
But today, I have found my voice. A bit quiet at first, but
I‘m getting the hang of it. My voice has become quite
pronounced, and now I notice there are people who want to listen,
and people who can’t help but listen. I have surprised
myself with my progress.
Thank
you for everything. You really touched my life in ways that
I will never forget and will always be grateful for. I can see
the growth and personal achievements in every one of us in the
class. We will each walk away a richer person. You have given
us all a truly special gift, and again, I thank you. You are
really a beautiful person.
Forever your student, Nora Durling
Dear Dr. Gilda,
I
want to say thank you for a great learning experience. I feel
that I have grown so much in the little time we had together.
I don't like saying goodbye’s, so I ran out of class last
night, as soon as it was over.
In my whole 28 years of living on this earth, I have never met anyone like you, so loving, giving, sharing, and kind. I'm
sure that you are blessed, but I know that there are so many
more blessings out there for you, because of the work you are
doing, and it all comes from your heart.
Who would have thought that I would have the famous Dr. Gilda
for one of my professors at Mercy College? It’s not like
it's NYU or some other big name college!
I wanted to say thank you for what you have done for me. Your
class and your book, “Don’t Bet on the Prince!,”
will help me be a better person, and I will continue to work
on me. I just can't say thank you enough.
I will be keeping in touch. May God continue to shower you with
His blessings. Aisha Shinaul
Dear Dr. Gilda,
I
felt like I needed an oxygen mask as I started to write Self-Assessment
#1, “My Story” from your book, “Don’t
Bet on the Prince!” Why was it necessary for me to go
through so much heartache for so many years? When I had opportunities
to change, I backed away, making excuses all the time. Why was
it necessary to have everybody's support in order to make positive
changes in my own life?
Since last
Wednesday, I haven’t put your book down. It is the last
thing I read before I close my eyes at night. What I am learning
is that I and only I must decide what is best for me. In
doing these Self-Assessments, I realized that I lost so much
of myself. I had the opportunity to exercise my rights many
times, but never wanted to rock the boat, always feeling that
others knew what was better for me. Also, I learned that
I never had positive goals. I let people and things around me
set a "cap" on what I needed. What a terrible thing
to allow others to dominate me! I wondered how I could have
ignored the constant lessons that kept coming up in different
forms during my life. But your last words to me today were,
"When the student is ready, the teacher appears."
Thank you very much for being my teacher. You appeared at the
beginning of my new journey. I shared this with my children.
My daughter is busy reading your book, “Teen Talk
with Dr. Gilda” and has read 100+ pages since I gave it
to her.
I am getting better every
day. I realize, Dr. Gilda, how overwhelmed I had been for so
long. I take it minute by minute. Once again, I thank
you for all the best you've wished for me. God has richly
blessed you. Stay healthy and well.
Sincerely,Annie Samson
Dear Dr. Gilda,
You are the reason I keep pressing
on. You are an inspiration, and your books encourage me to
know that no matter what the obstacle, as long as I have faith
and confidence in myself, I will eventually come out the victor.
If I had a different professor during
this time, I would have dropped out of school. But you make
it your personal business to keep us going. That is the reason
I kept coming to class: it was like the therapy I needed,
you know? It was my get-away...
When I write a book about my life,
I would like to dedicate it to you, and quote a few of your
Gilda Grams, and refer people to you, and recommend they read
your books. I'm serious. You are a great inspiration to me!
Patricia Wakhu-Parker
Dear Dr. Gilda,
Please nurture your great sense of
humor and vivacity. Your vivacious character and bubbly personality
are able to illuminate any measure of darkness. What impresses
me most is that these traits are so genuine. I deeply appreciate
your concern for all of us. Though many times I fail to take
your advice, it's not because I don't want to, but because
of circumstances beyond my current control. I know I need
to slow down. Maybe you need to tell me how you are able to
keep such a tight schedule yourself, and still maintain such
a high energy level. Let me in on the secret, Dr. Gilda!
You are precious! Keep sweet, and
we all love you. Thanks for keeping it REAL!
Love ya,
Pauline E. Whyte
Dear Dr. Gilda,
I wanted to update you, or more specifically,
thank you. Because of you, and the advice you give in your
classes, I have now been promoted! I got the news yesterday
from my boss. I will be receiving additional responsibilities,
and will now have 5 people reporting to me. I'm a bit nervous
about that, but I look forward to the challenge. The clincher
was when the VP pulled me into someone's office to congratulate
me personally.
Because you taught me to speak up
and to go for what I want, I sold my abilities and was included
in upper management meetings. My organizational skills and
take-charge attitude were a few reasons mentioned about why
I was given this promotion. I am wiser, and soon to be richer—thanks
to you.
Thank you for everything.
Jodi Hauptman
Dear Dr. Gilda,
I want to say that you were right.
My mom finally got divorced, and it took her some time, but
she DID get over it. My mother is my best friend, and all
your insightful words made her realize that there is life
after marriage. She has worked hard on making herself happy,
and now she is surrounded by positive energy and no longer
gives everything to everybody from the core, thanks to your
book, “Don’t Bet on the Prince!” !!!!!!
Thank you for your kind words and advice. IT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.
I thought about you frequently during
my surgeries. While recuperating, I often read your words
of wisdom in
"In Touch" Magazine. During the holidays, all I could think
about was my sweet grandmother who passed away. Then I thought
about you and your mother. I have become much stronger as
a result of your class. I make sure that my happiness and
well-being are first on my list of priorities. Again, thank
you!Jasmin Carrasquillo
Dear Dr. Gilda,
You
have truly helped me see who I am and the woman I want to be.
I never expected to learn so much from a Business course.
You are truly a special and gifted person. You have a
unique way of allowing people to be honest with you, and I will
never forget what I have learned from you. Thank you so much,
Dr. Gilda.
xoxo Taryn Leung
Dear Dr. Gilda,
I’m
glad you included your students when you e-mailed the transcript
of your appearance on NBC’s TODAY SHOW. It’s great
to see a professor extend herself beyond the boundaries of the
classroom.
You taught us to be on
our guard because people wear masks. I don’t see you wearing
a mask. It’s a rare and wonderful quality to see
in someone. You’ve touched me more than you can imagine.
And I am constantly repeating your Gilda-Gram, "Praise
and blame are both the same." Thank you for being someone
to emulate. James Rogan
Dear Dr. Gilda,
I
had the pleasure of being your student for The Psychology of
Communication at the Manhattan campus. I am sure that you do
not remember me, but I could never forget you. You have an overpowering
ability to touch the lives of others. Your class offered an
experience that was meaningful and unforgettable. Thank you! Keneisha Platt-Mckie
Dear Dr. Gilda,
Thank
you for my Instant Advice. WOW, you saw things that
I could not and did not, and yet you do not even know my girlfriend!
But you were so on target! I can't thank you enough.Allan Wright
Dear Dr. Gilda,
I'm
thrilled to receive an answer so quickly from you about potentially coaching me. Thank you! You say I should be "a killer at
work and a kitten at love." Yikes! Can't I just be Cinderella?
No, I suppose not. Been there, done that anyway. Guess we will
just ride this wave. Thank you again. I will be in touch. What
a great service you provide!!Maggie Stephanson
Dear Dr. Gilda,
I
hope you continue to teach graduate courses at Con Edison in
the future. We had a blast in your course, especially during
our Henny Penny reenactments of the roles of leadership and
followership. Those skits we did were hysterical. You have that
special way of bringing to light our "inner thoughts," which
then makes us reflect more deeply on who we really are as people.
Best of all, you made the class FUN.
THANK YOU for being you!Wayne Westervelt
Dear Dr. Gilda,
Thank
you very much for your reply to my Instant Advice.
You are very insightful. Your astute advice has helped me end
my relationship. We have decided to meet and talk as you suggested,
and now the end appears to be taking care of itself. I appreciate
your insight.Paul Cummings
Hello Dr. Gilda,
Wow, there is actually someone to
answer these things, and it was very fast. Thank you for reading
my “story,” and for responding
with such valid points. This is a great service, and I'll
be registering for another round in the future!
Mel Rosenberg
Hi Dr. Gilda,
Well I did it! I got a new job as Business Manager in the company I was targeting. I will be working on special events and development. I just wanted to let you know that I used your techniques, and kept thinking of everything we learned in your class prior to my interview. You certainly had something to do with this, and I "thank you!" Hope all is well, and have fun in L.A.
Claudia Suraci
Dear Dr. Gilda,
I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the advice you have given me during the course of my college study because it finally paid off.
I had been working for a certain company and dealing with a lot of depressing issues, which I believe would have caused me to lose my mind totally by now.But thanks to your book, "Don't Bet On The Prince!," and the classes I have taken with you, I was able to handle the situation and maintain my sanity.
Last year, this company's recruiter contacted me and asked if I would consider a position with their company.During this time, I had a job I was recognized at and was doing well at. But she sold the company to me with a decent salary.
My training at the company wasn't exactly top of the line. I went through two weeks of taking notes and reading a lot of literature. Afterwards, I was told to head to my location.
Once there, things were not the way I had anticipated. There was a complete lack of structure and follow-up. After a while, I became worried and frustrated because I was not close to my performance expectations.When I brought this the attention of my District Manager, she assured me that I should not worry about it because it was holiday season, which was the toughest time to train someone, and when it slowed down, I would be trained. Holiday season came and went and I received no training. My manager quit and I was the only manager in the building.Now the challenge became unbearable. I got a new acting manager who was not supportive and very critical. In addition, it was rumored that the building would be closing in three months. Therefore, no one really cared.
I was going home every night feeling depressed and inadequate. I had a meeting with my District Manager and broke down. Never had I held a position where I did not perform well above average, and this was weighing me down a whole lot, I hated waking up in the morning to go to work, and something had to give.
I decided to re-read your book, "Don't Bet On The Prince!" and go over the notes I had taken during your class.This started to open my eyes. I realized that I am the only one who knows my capabilities and limits, and I shouldn't let the situation break me down. I realized I had settled instead of fighting and putting myself first. I decided to do for me.
My first move was to start looking for another job. It only took a week before I was hired somewhere else. This alone started to bring my confidence level back up because I realized that I was good at what I did and that I just needed a reminder. I continued reading your book and made it a point to totally disassociate myself from all the drama.
It was your book that got me to snap out of it, and leave that unhealthy environment. It helped me take back what was mine: my pride, my integrity and my work ethic. I regained my confidence and remembered that the sky is my limit.
I am now back to where I used to be. My current District Manager and immediate manager already see my potential and are nurturing me towards success by working with me to understand the full nature of the business. I love going to work, too. Thank you, Dr. Gilda :-)
Much love,Patricia Wakhu Parker
Dear Dr. Gilda,
Your book, "Don't Bet on the Prince!," was a bargain, and it will be the only textbook I will ever look at after the class is over! I took your advice and networked my way right into a new job! I will be leaving my company after 20 years, and starting a new job next month! I look at it as an easy payoff for my health and happiness. I wouldn't have had the nerve to do it without the encouragement I received from you and from what I learned in your class. Thank you again for the boost of confidence.
Lauren Shields
Dear Dr. Gilda,
In my busy schedule, I don't think I have ever had the time to say, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for being you-as my professor, my mentor, and my coach.
I believe that God puts people exactly where they need to be. With that, he put you in my life, You are an amazing and positive person that knew I needed you.
Thank you.Denise Mendoza
Dear Dr. Gilda,
I enjoyed "Don't Bet on the Prince!" very much. I have been telling all my friends (married or otherwise) that they must read it. I saw myself in that book 4 years ago when I got divorced, and I see how much I have grown since then. But more importantly, I also see how much more growing I have to do. As I have been getting emotionally healthier, some people have not liked the fact that I am no longer their "doormat." I have read many, many, many relationship books, but yours is one I will be passing on to my daughter when she is a little older.
I dated a man 2 years ago, and became overly needy with him.He broke it off, but returned months later.While we were apart, I became the new and improved me, and things are going much better. I started back to school (I decided I needed to take care of me because I couldn't depend on a man to do it), and I am working 2 jobs and taking care of my kids. He sees me when I have time, not on his whim, as it used to be. He knows I have a life, and he thinks it is wonderful, and is very supportive of it.
While we were apart, I almost married a very dear friend.He is sweet, but he definitely pulled me down.He would "joke" with me about how I was too old to go back to school, and "joke" with me about putting on 5 pounds. My current guy is very supportive of everything I do, and we are taking it slowly this time. He totally respects the new and improved me, and hopefully I will continue to improve every day. Thank you for writing "Don't Bet on the Prince!"
Delores Searight
Dear Dr. Gilda,
Over the past month of being in what I call "The Gilda Class," I have been forced to reach within myself. I will always take with me all that I've learned. I hope that you continue to be you because you are the best. You open eyes when they are closed, minds when they wander, hearts when they are hardened, and encouragement when it is needed.
You have motivated me to look at the inner person I thought I was, and to reflect with deeper introspection. I realized that I am more than an African American woman, a mother, a student, a nurse, a daughter. I am a child of God. A strong and powerful woman that has determined that she is going to succeed at all she puts her mind to. I am going to achieve each goal I place before myself. I will always look at the glass as half full rather than half empty, and I will realize with determination that I can complete all I desire. Life has many directions to travel, and they are not obstacles, but rather, diversions for the moment. I have accepted the things I cannot change, and I have redirected myself to focus on the things I can enhance and improve. I am ME!!!! and this is my personal journey. Thank you, Dr. Gilda.
Andrea Llewellyn
Dear Dr. Gilda,
Thank you for writing "Don't Bet on the Prince!," and for putting many things into perspective for me. I am now able to approach matters from many different angles, and to exercise greater insight when discussing subjects of interest. You have not only taught me new ways to envision things, but you have also reinforced my position on issues on which I have substantial knowledge.
"You will never be loved if you can't risk being disliked" is just one of the many Gilda-Grams you impart to the world on a daily basis. Another of my favorites is "Intimacy depends more on our willingness to trust than on our skill at sex." This last Gilda-Gram is a truth I was told when I was becoming a young lady. Although the words were different, the message is exactly the same. It is reading it 40 years later that the clarity in the message finally shows through! And my confidence in relationships has been reinforced by the last Gilda-Gram in the book: "If he's mine, I can't lose him. If he's not, I don't want him." That is the absolute best
The world will now have to contend with a new force . . . ME!!! I won't ever again bet on any prince! I will always bet on me!!!
Thank you, Dr. Gilda,
Deborah Harris
Dear Dr. Gilda,
In order for me to talk about my breakthroughs and appreciation, I must first go back to where I was mentally and emotionally a few weeks ago. Being alone, although by choice, I still desired companionship and love. Although I know the how's and why's of where I am today, I never took the time to evaluate or assess myself. Yes, I removed myself from an abusive marriage, something I continued to think was the norm, and something I continued to make excuses for. I have learned to love myself so much that I would never return to such a situation.
One discussion we had online reminded me of myself so much, I started to cry. The writer mentioned self-value, self-belief, and self-image. Learning to build these values was a distant goal for me, and it seemed so unattainable. I look back today, and say, "How could I have gone so long without these important values, which are key to survival?!"
Now that I am here, I will maintain my self-esteem, my desires and needs, my importance, my future, and I will stay out of "victim mode." I know what I had in the past, and only I can be accountable for what I will get in the future, the power of internal control. I have the power to create my destiny. Learning to promote myself without vulnerability, learning to project a Power Image, and learning to have balance are the beginning of a new world for me. I learned to ask myself, "What am I projecting?" I am a strong, empowered, and confident woman, and it's time to project these images and bring them to life. A few weeks ago, I would never have thought there were so many levels to extend my excellence. Today, thanks to you and your well-written book, "Don't Bet on the Prince!," I am able to take me, myself, and I to the next level. This has truly been life changing! I have thoroughly enjoyed you!
Be Blessed,
Sharon Rivers
Dear Dr. Gilda:
I want to thank you for sharing stories from the developing stages of your life as it made me feel at ease to also share. This class turned out to be a very rewarding one for me. Reading your book, "Don't Bet on the Prince!" has reinforced many of our shared views and truths about living life without feeling guilty for not pleasing others. When I do decide to give of myself it will definitely be from the overflow.
Your self-assessments helped me tremendously to know myself better, and to make changes necessary to live a balanced life. I feel men should also read your book, as it not intended "for women only." It is a valuable resource to always have on hand. I have finished it, and have passed it on to my daughter, who is 30 years old, in an abusive relationship, and is in dire need of reading it. I know she will benefit from it, and she will begin to bet on herself. Thank you so much for making this class educational, fun and, overall, a wonderful experience. I know my daughter will also thank you. Take care, God Bless and please do write another.
Sincerely,
Rose Diaz