What Oprah had from her very first exposure to us–in the Phil Donahue/ Sarah Jessie Raphael days–was a ravishing hunger. She was driven to find answers for her questions. I imagine there were times she was uncomfortable with being at the helm of our ship. Maybe afraid even. She is human after all. And she had the courage to persevere straight through the fear in persuit of her next truth. Which would lead to her next truth, and her next. Figuring truth out with each breakthrough. And we watched her wisdom grow, and we watched it change her, enrich her and we watched her reach higher with every insight she collected along the way. She interviewed Zen Masters and Writers of great novels, and ordinary people along the way. She surrounded herself with people from whom she could learn and she invited us along on her journey. She began this journey with her-private-story, and in following her journey to enlightenment, we began to find our journey and our truth and our voice…and we discovered we were hungry for authenticity and Oprah validated us. She gave us permission to make mistakes- big ones- and still value ourselves. To trust our intuition and develop our power and say “No” and mean it and “yes” and mean it. She taught us to speak our truth about abuse and the violence of our childhood without allowing the shame. She taught us we do not have to be victims of our history, we can get help and do our work -She asked us to understand we can survive and even thrive if we find a great friend or a good therapist and do the necessary work. -We began to place the blame and shame on the perpetrators and take back our life and reclaim our voices and learn to make better choices. Oprah brought all of this to center-stage for all to see, and she invited us to witness it…and we all in varying degrees became wiser for it! She is a spectacular role-model. I have been with her every step of the way–never wavering in my admiration. Oprah inspires us and challenges us to be our best self. So when she gave her speech upon receiving the Cecil B DeMille Humanitarian award at Hollywoods Golden Globes, she spoke to every single person listening directly to their hearts. she was nothing less than perfect. Time is up. We will not be dismissed ar disrespected. Whether we’re talking sexism, racism, violence, verbal abuse, sexual abuseor or any kind of disrespect! We. Will. Not. tolerare.anymore! NO MORE. WE WILL TELL. WE WILL CALL IT OUT.
I love Oprah , she inspires me to be my best! The World is better because she is here..
I do not want her to run for President.. We are being greedy and I cannot bare to watch that destruction.