By Sorilbran Stone
The announcement this week that Oprah Winfrey will be the principal speaker at Harvard University’s May 30th Commencement Ceremony has set the web abuzz.
But are you really surprised? It’s Oprah, for goodness sake. Over the course of more than 30 years in media, Oprah has amassed huge amounts of wealth (she’s one of the wealthiest people in the world). She spent two decades as the Queen of Daytime Television with her controversial-turned-inspirational talk show. She opened a girl’s school in South Africa. And she owns and runs her own network. That’s our Oprah.
So what do you think she will say? A not-so-quick search of quotes from Oprah will turn up quite a few savvy phrases. After all, she’s been talking to the residents of at least 150 countries almost daily for the better part of the last three decades. Her work with Iyanla Vanzant, Maya Angelou and Dr. Phil aside, any person who can achieve such amazing successes over the course of her lifetime while maintaining a position as one of the world’s most beloved personalities has surely gained the most poignant wisdom along the way. Here are just nine of Oprah’s marvelous truisms:
1. On thoughts: “What I know for sure is this: You are built not to shrink down to less, but to blossom into more. To be more extraordinary. To use every moment to fill yourself up.”
2. On strategy: “Everything you’ve ever done prepares you for all that you can do and be. Once you clarify your purpose for doing something, the way to do it becomes clear.”
3. On relationships: “Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.”
4. On overcoming: “Challenges are gifts that force us to search for a new center of gravity. Don’t fight them. Just find a different way to stand”
Photo credit: Featureflash / Shutterstock.com
5. On gratitude: “When you allow yourself to feel gratitude, in the present moment, in the now – what I promise you is that the spiritual dimension of your life begins to change. It opens up. It expands. And you just grow with it. That is the truth if I ever spoke the truth in my life. If you want to change your state of being, start to be grateful.”
6. On charity: “You can’t really create fundamental change in someone’s life unless you change the way they think about their lives… I realized that the only way to create long-term improvement and empowerment, and literally change the trajectory of somebody’s life, is through education.”
7. On time management: “Before you agree to do anything that might add even the smallest amount of stress to your life, ask yourself: What is my truest intention? Give yourself time to let a yes resound within you. When it’s right, I guarantee that your entire body will feel it.”
8. On resources: “Use what you have to run toward your best – that’s how I now live my life.”
9. On fear and failure: “Do the one thing you think you cannot do. Fail at it. Try again. Do better the second time. The only people who never tumble are those who never mount the high wire. This is your moment. Own it.”
Photo credit: Featureflash / Shutterstock.com
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