As The Oprah Winfrey Show came to a close yesterday, I felt a chapter of my life end, but thanks to the lessons that she has taught me and millions of others over the past twenty five years, I know that this ending is actually a launching point - a place of inspiration that will cradle each of our forward steps. As I stood in front of the TV watching the credits roll on the final show, I looked down at my baby boy holding on to my leg and realized that Oprah - one of the soundtracks of my life - will not be something my son will hear throughout his life. I realized that I wanted to write down the lessons I have learned from Oprah so that I can make sure to pass them down to my baby so he can grow up with his own Oprah soundtrack too. If you watched the finale show, you'll recognize many of these pearls of wisdom from Oprah's speech. Here they are:
1. Live your best life.
2. Focus on gratitude.
3. You are the only one responsible for your life.
4. You are beautiful - own it!
5. Find your calling - no matter how big or small.
6. Strive for the feeling of knowing you are exactly where you are supposed to be every single day.
7. Acknowledge the presence of God in your life. Listen to the whispers.
8. Validate others: Let them know you see them and hear them and that what they say matters to you.
9. Be yourself and it will help others be themselves too.
10. Never stop growing, learning, and listening to others.
11. Find what sparks the light in you so you can illuminate the world.
12. Serve the world.
13. Take responsibility for the energy you bring into a space.
14. You are worthy of happiness simply because you were born.
15. Treat others as you want to be treated. Forgive.
16. You are enough.
17. Connect. Embrace. Liberate. Love somebody.
18. Savor education.
19. Celebrate life and feel joy.
20. Never let go of hope.