Hill Harper is an actor, New York Times best-selling author, motivational speaker and political activist. He is also a cancer survivor, having been diagnosed with thyroid cancer last summer. His most recent endeavor is his latest book, called The Wealth Cure and he is touring the country to discuss his prognosis, wealth, success and living your best life. Hill broke away from an extremely hectic schedule to discuss his book and the lessons he hopes people will take from it. –christa e. jackson
Tell me about your book The Wealth Cure and your diagnosis with thyroid cancer?
I was reading a book about money and finance, and I was down in Atlanta shooting the film For Colored Girls. I woke up one morning and I really couldn’t swallow. I knew I didn’t have strep throat or anything like that, so I went to some outstanding physicians that you have in Atlanta, and they helped diagnosis the fact that I have thyroid cancer and recommended surgery to have my thyroid removed. Thank God, that we discovered it very early and it had not spread to other parts of my body at that point. I believe and hope that the doctors were correct and that I’m fine. It made me definitely think and reevaluate [taking] a break. In my new book, the Wealth Cure I am talking about what wealth really is, and how we have gotten it wrong.
I see that your book is a recollection of stories from family and friends, so what did you learn that you didn’t know?
I learned that most of us have been taught that money is a result, and we should chase it and go after it. Rather than what money really is, and that’s a tool or a resource that we need to use to build the life we want. If we approach money from the standpoint of a paper chase, then we will always be chasing it. If we use money as a resource or a tool, then we can use that effectively to make a difference in our lives.
What do you hope people will get from your appearance and your book?
I hope that they are able to get the opportunity to look at themselves in the mirror and say, How have I been using money?” Basically, asking themselves the question, “Am I using money, or is money using me?” I want them to ask, how can they live a better, more fulfilled life. I want them to feel like this book will be the best investment they ever made. I want people to invest in themselves with this book.
Hill Harper will be appearing at Barnes & Nobles in Buckhead on Wednesday, August 24, 2011 at 7:00PM.
