Iyanla often shared new words and phrases with The Oprah Show audience, which Oprah called "a glossary for the soul." On October 8, 1998, Iyanla shared a passage from Neale Donald Walsch's book Conversations with God: "Whenever you declare to be something, everything unlike it will show up," Iyanla said. "So the minute you declare yourself to be healed or at peace—whatever it is—everything unlike it is gonna show up to test. So remember: "If you don't have a test, you won't have a testimony."

Also, instead of saying "by myself," Iyanla suggested viewers say "with myself."