What I've learned from Oprah...thus far

Oprah Winfrey taped her last talk show yesterday. That 4 o'clock spot on television is now void. There won't be any more Oprah's favorite things episodes. You won't be able to get a ticket to see her show. Our source of daily inspiration and wisdom is now gone. Although we all know that Oprah is in the process of moving on to bigger and better...and I do mean BETTER things, we must not forget all she has taught us in her 25 years on our televisions.

What I've learned from Oprah...thus far?
Hardwork. Oprah has come from meager means to get to the caliber of success that she is currently at. She didn't do it because she felt like she needed to. She didn't do it because it was handed to her. She didn't even do it because it was necessarily the right the thing to do. Oprah got to where she is today through hardwork, determination, and faith.

Self. As we all travel on this journey called life, it is not surprising that we go through trials where we lose ourselves, change our sense of ourselves, or better ourselves. Through everything Oprah has done, it has been through her sense of self. She stated in her episode of Masterclass that she felt terrible when she tried to pretend to be someone else. She didn't feel like herself. In that same episode she stated, "I can be a better Oprah than a pretend 'Phil Donahue'," which translates in my mind to "you will always do a better job of being yourself than trying to be someone else.

Love and passion. Even if you are that 0.0000001% of people who don't like or admire Oprah, you have to accept one thing about her...She does what she does for the love of it. For the love of the people she meets, the lives she touches, that passion she feels to fulfill her purpose in life.

Purpose and inspiration. I wasn't a regular watcher of the Oprah show, but I am a regular admirer of hers. It's definitely true what people say, "when you are living in your purpose, the universe will conspire in your favor." It's true and all you have to do is have faith in that belief. Oprah found her calling through a series of trials and had faith in accomplishing it. But once her purpose became evident and she used the platform she had to inspire others, the universe brought her everything she has now and will get beyond today.

Others. The more you give, the more you receive. "To whom much is given, much is required." I don't know another celebrity or personally another person who has given as much as Oprah. Not just the materialistic things like cars, trips, clothes, etc. I'm talking about the wisdom, knowledge, love, compassion, motivation, and advice that she's given us over 25 years. The selfless act of putting others before yourself is one of the greatest sacrifices you can make. In Oprah fashion, she has given of herself so that we may benefit from what she has to offer us.

Knowledge. I watch my peers and influencers and wonder why many of them have this trait of hoarding knowledge. It's one thing to protect your ideas and identity, but to hoard knowledge because you don't feel like people are worthy enough to have it is down right terrible. Knowledge is acquired to share it with someone else. When we go through life as teachers and students, acquiring knowledge to share it to acquire it again, we will find that we live a more purposeful and fulfilling life. Oprah has taught us a lot about humility, self, and compassion. She has taught us that knowledge truly is power.Thank you Oprah for inspiring and teaching us for 25 years. We look forward to the next 25.

These are the things that Oprah has taught me. Through the years, as we followed her life and trials, Oprah has been like the Confucius of our time. She has taught me that although there is a burden that comes with finding your passion and purpose, once you've recognized it and lived it...nothing is impossible.

"Understand that the right to choose your own path is a sacred privilege. Use it. Dwell in possibility."         -Oprah Winfrey

The Unemployed Entrepreneur