“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” -Jeremiah 29:11

Whether we realize it or not, the plans and callings on our lives are often revealed to us in our youth. For some, its revelations occur with a vibrant appearance so that it’s noticeably apparent. For others, it’s revealed subtly over time between glimmers and glimpses of moments associated with events and pivotal people. 

Overall, these connective associations provide knowledge, wisdom, and lessons wrapped into narratives to build upon our efforts in reaching our predestined paths. Through countless moments recounted in The Meaning of Mariah Carey, Carey miraculously highlights how your destiny can reveal how the forces of the spirit world challenge and test you. If you’re willing to have faith and go to war against each intangible battle that has the power to manifest itself around your life and your unique design, then you stand to accomplish all of life’s goals. What Carey displays throughout the book is that despite her many highs and valley level lows, she maintained not only the faith but also sought to free herself of the anchors that consistently tried to tether her to the ground. 

Based on accounts from Mariah herself, by age 12, she’d already lived the equivalent of at least five different lives. As early as the preface, Carey notes why she adopted the mantra of only celebrating anniversaries and life’s most memorable moments by living in the moment. Although simple, this is a concept that many people fail to practice. We’re either stuck in the past or presently awaiting an un-promised future. 

Carey admittedly states her positioning in choosing not to focus on dates has been cast off as diva-style behavior. However, Carey received spiritual wisdom that many will struggle to find most of their lives in her youth. This spiritual wisdom would serve as the backdrop to her storied career and life by allowing her to navigate her unchartered career and focus on beginning to heal from the tumultuous moments of her youth. 

There are several moments in The Meaning of Mariah Carey that will tug at your emotions. Recounting the years of rejection from her family and people around her, the brighter spots in Carey’s life served as emotional support and ointments to keep her ever-present in her journey. Whether by narrative design or not, Carey’s narratives in Meaning consistently flow through patterns of prophetic procedures, particularly prominent to the greatness that she was predestined.

Carey meticulously crafts her successes from acknowledging her powerful and unique talent through the mouth of a babe at age 6. Then throughout her life, she preludes to glimpses of grandeur between her mother’s visions for better and the adopted familial connection with those that spoke positivity in her between reality and her dreams. Still conscious of the era she grew up in America as a biracial person, she also successfully allows the reader to walk into her world and navigate the many nuances surrounding racism and, ultimately, self-acceptance. 

One of the more prominent standouts in Meaning is her references to her practicing faith. She designates that she credits her faith in God for bringing her thus far. As she continues her journey up to the present, she tells all without holding back many details. Though some parts of the book provide alternate identities to protect the privacy of specific individuals, she expertly shares her words and feelings so that you know she’s indeed become comfortable with who she is. 

Regarding an autobiographical account, Meaning is the perfect example of how it should be done. Her story is endearing and inspirational in that she appeared to compartmentalize each pain systemically and triumph for reference. And by weaving the song lyrics and tunes throughout her emancipatory story, it further draws the reader in for more.

Since the release of her book, Carey has received several additional accolades and acclaim for her music and career. She has even earned another number one hit single, bringing her total to 19 number one’s throughout her career. Carey has even expressed the collaborative works with Lee Daniels on producing a movie series about her childhood based on her stories and experiences from Meaning. Ultimately, The Meaning of Mariah Carey is a captivating must-read as it showcases and celebrates the fact that Carey triumphantly discovered the meanings of her path and dared to share her story with the world.