There is nothing I can say about Oprah that hasn’t already been said. She is the epitome of an incredible human being and I am so grateful to be alive during her era.
For several years now, my mom and I have made it a ritual to watch her shows together, sharing in our tears, excitement, and life changing lessons. It’s amazing to think of the impact one person has had on not just America, but many countries around the world. She has empowered and inspired countless numbers of people from every corner of the planet.
On her final show she poured out her love letter of gratitude to all of her viewers and shared with us the lessons that mean the most to her. Below are highlights of Oprah’s favorite lessons (yes, I recorded, watched, re-watched, and paused her final show so that I could take notes and soak in these powerful lessons, not just because I believe in them and wanted to share them, but because my goal is to master them.):
– Be yourself. When you are striving for success in your life, be inspired by your role models, but don’t model yourself after them. Be the best version of yourself you can be and you will inspire others to do the same.
– The beauty of Oprah is that she not only had the passion to teach the world a new and better way to live, but she had the openness and willingness to grow and learn from others.
– Be more selfless, serving, and committed to your calling. When you know you have a message to share or a service to give the world, stay committed to it. She never missed a show in 25 years.
– “We are all called, everybody has a calling, and your real job in life is to figure out what that is and get about the business of doing it.” There you will find life success and joy. When you find your calling, “it lights you up and it lets you know you are exactly where you’re supposed to be, doing exactly what you’re supposed to be doing.” Not everyone’s calling is in fame or television. “Live from the heart of yourself. You have to know what lights the sparks in you so that you can, in your own way, illuminate the world…. In every way and everyday you are showing people exactly who you are. You are letting your life speak for you, and when you do that, you will receive in direct proportion to how you give….. Use your life to serve the world.”
– “Nobody but you is responsible for your life.” No matter what your parents or anyone else did to you. “You are responsible for your life….. All life is energy. You are responsible for yourself and the energy you bring to others.” Consider this statement for your home, work places, business, etc., “Please take responsibility for the energy you bring into this space.” That will change the way a lot of people handle themselves in your presence. It makes people accountable for their actions and attitudes. “All life is energy and we are transmitting it at every moment. We are all beaming little signals like radio frequencies and the world is responding in kind.” Newton’s Third Law of Motion – For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. The Golden Rule – Do unto others what you would have them do unto you. “Don’t wait for somebody else to fix you, save you, or complete you. Jerry Maguire was just a movie. No one can complete you…. When you get that you are responsible for your life, you get free.”
– No matter how dysfunctional your family or even your life is, you are not alone. Release the shame of your faults, mistakes, and your past. Somebody somewhere knows your pain. All addictions are the same, whether it’s to alcohol, drugs, food, work, or shopping, etc. The common thread is unworthiness. “People don’t feel worthy enough to own the life they were created for. Even people who believe they deserve to be happy and have nice things don’t feel worthy once they have them. There is a difference between thinking you deserve to be happy and knowing that you are worthy of happiness…. We often block our own blessings because we don’t feel inherently good enough or smart enough or pretty enough or worthy enough.” Oprah learned from many of the guests on her show who excelled or moved forward in life against all odds that, “you are worthy because you are born and because you are here. Your being alive makes worthiness your birthright. You alone are enough.” Remember as you deal with people in your everyday life, “every single person you will ever meet is seeking validation.” When dealing with people, practice treating them with these principles, “I see you, I hear you, and what you say matters to me.”
– When planning to do big things in your life that will reach the world in a big way, surround yourself with people who are “aligned with the vision of service.”
– God’s grace is the main ingredient in Oprah’s extraordinary life. That same grace is available to you if you let it in. “It’s closer than your breath and it’s yours for the asking.” Tune into the presence of God all throughout your life. “Listen to the voice that is bigger than yourself. Be still and know it. It’s always there…. It’s speaking to you and waiting for you to hear it.” In all of the great and big things Oprah has and continues to accomplish, before she moves she says, “I listen to the guidance that is greater than my meager mind. The only time I make mistakes is when I don’t listen…. God is love. God is life. Your life is always speaking to you.” Make sure you pay attention to your life’s whispers because if you don’t they get loud enough to knock you down until you do. “What are the whispers in your life right now?”
– To all the victims of sexual abuse: It is never your fault.
– For all of us that have been deeply touched and forever changed by Oprah’s show, “do for others what you feel the show has done for you. Connect, embrace, liberate and love someone else.” Do this to as many as you can.
– Out of all of the things Oprah has done for others and experienced for herself on the show, the single greatest treasure she takes away from it is gratitude. She expressed her sincere gratitude for so many people allowing her into their lives, receiving her and what she has to give, and for the opportunity to do it all. What an amazing woman.
I know this was long but I felt that her words and lessons were too powerful not to share. May you be as blessed and filled as I am from these treasures.
Here’s to the end of THE most inspirational and life changing show on television and to one incredible human being for heading it all.
Share your thoughts in the comments: Did you see her last show? What did you think of it? What will you miss most about her show? What is your favorite show of hers?
Peace, Love, & Honoring Oprah,
~Alexis~
Amen, Amen, Amen!