Staying Strong: 365 Days a Year by Demi Lovato

From the Book: A Letter from Demi Lovato

Dear Reader,

I have been through all kinds of experiences in my life, and I have faced struggles ranging from addiction to depression, all the while on a search for self-discovery and happiness. There are always going to be highs and lows, heartbreaks and victories, and everything in between. So sometimes the smallest few words can make all the difference; they can comfort and they can inspire.

Each day I meditate and pray by getting in touch with the higher power within me. No matter how old you are, where you come from, your race or religion, it is vital to have a higher power–something bigger than yourself that you can turn to for comfort. For me, it's God, but for you, it can be anything you believe in, the universe, karma, etc. Though some days can be a struggle, it's important to have something that will motivate, inspire, and help us stay positive and keep moving forward.

This book is a collection of my own words, quotes that inspire me, as well as lessons, meditations, reflections, and daily goals. They have helped me tremendously, and it's a special and personal gift that I want to share with all of you.

Wherever you are in life, please read these and know that I'm always there for you. Stay strong, be brave, love hard and true, and you will have nothing to lose.

All my love,

Demi

An Introduction from Katie Couric

I first met Demi over breakfast at the London Hotel in the summer of 2012. Her career was on fire. She had a huge hit in “Skyscraper,” “Give Your Heart a Break” was climbing the charts (it would eventually hit #1), and she was months away from being named a judge on The X Factor alongside Simon Cowell and Britney Spears.

For a girl who had just turned 20 and made her name as a Disney teen queen, she seemed wise beyond her years. But she encountered more than a few bumps on her road to success. Demi shared her personal struggles with me, including her battles with anorexia and bulimia, bullying, self-harm and bipolar disorder, and how these challenges almost derailed her career.

As a mother of two daughters, I was so grateful that Demi was using her painful experiences to talk frankly to girls and let them know that fame doesn't necessarily shield you from insecurity and self-doubt. By pulling back the glossy curtain of celebrity and exposing her all-too-human side, I know Demi made countless young women with some of those same problems feel much less alone.

Not long after our first meeting, I welcomed Demi to the set of my daytime talk show. No surprise, she was charismatic and generous. Her willingness to speak so openly in a public forum inspired me to share my own experience with an eating disorder in my twenties, something that I had never spoken about before. Demi's honesty made me feel safe to be honest about my own past.

Demi has a unique relationship with her fans. They love her and she loves them right back. She's taught us all that we need to give our hearts a break at the low moments, and take the time to enjoy the view from the skyscraper when we hit our highs.

Whether you're 16, or, in my case, 56, you'll learn something from Demi's journey and life advice, and end up loving her even more.