I never really watched Oprah. Yes, I caught part of a show here and there over the last twenty five years. Of course I heard many stories about her different shows - the things that interested most of my friends. A friend's sister's "something borrowed" for her wedding was a pair of Oprah's earrings. I don't think I've ever met the sister, but I loved the story of Oprah's generosity and the fact that she loaned them out. How cool is that? I've never really watched, but there was something I've always liked about her.
I have a knack for discovering that I like shows after they've been on for years and are about to be cancelled. Naturally when I found out that Oprah was going off the air, I considered watching - but I never did. However, when OWN started, I tuned in - interested in knowing what it would be all about. The first show I fell in love with was "Ask Oprah's Allstars". It was only on for a month at the beginning of the year. It's premise was to help you get off to a great year. Dr. Oz, Dr. Phil and Suze Orman giving advice on everything. I love Suze Orman!!! I'd only watched as much Dr. Phil as I had Oprah (but I like him) and I didn't know a thing about Dr. Oz. I now love them all - but even more, I love them together. They linked their specialties to each other and the advice they gave was priceless. I loved it so much that after watching, I didn't delete them. I saved them so I could take notes later.
The second show I fell in love with was "Oprah's Masters Class". This show took different celebrities and had them give their story, their take on life. Oprah's tag line for the show was something like, "They're masters of their lives". People like Diane Sawyer, Maya Angelou, Condoleezza Rice, Simon Cowell and Jay-Z. Such a variety. Every episode had so much depth. I have pages of notes from this series as well. I'm already looking forward to season two.
I stumbled onto a few of the "Behind the Scenes of Season 25" and was very intrigued with the way it all worked, but again, only watched bits here and there. I did manage to tivo the very last episode of Oprah. And although it was on who knows how long ago, I just watched it last night. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me sad that I missed even one of her shows, let alone twenty five years worth, but mostly it inspired me. I can't tell you everything that touched me (I just watched it yesterday, I haven't had a chance to re-watch to take notes yet), but I loved the way she challenged her viewers to find themselves. To follow their passion. To find their audience - no matter how big or small. Maybe that's why it touched me so much. I've been on that mission for a few years now, but it's only been recently that I've been able to articulate it. It's only been because of the difficulty that I've experienced recently that I've even gone looking for myself - understanding that I was lost in the first place.
Realizing that I wanted to reach out through my writing just felt like a "want", but it may be that I'm just trying to find my audience. It gave me chills to think of how many lives Oprah has touched. And although I have no delusion that I could go that far, I am inspired to touch lives. I've said it before - if I can help someone - make them feel better, help them to reach an a-ha moment, inspire or encourage them or even just bring a smile to their face, then I'm happy.
I know that those of you who know me think I just like the praise (and I do), but when it comes to my writing, its not the praise that touches my heart. It's the fact that something I said helped someone else. And I am so thankful to be able to know the difference.
I don't know that Oprah is ever going to read my blog, but on the off chance that it happens...
I would like to thank you Oprah! I missed the last twenty five years, but I will have my eyes open for the next twenty five. I'll be watching OWN, hoping to stumble onto more of that inspiration that you've given me just this year alone. Thank you for being able to see the talent that can touch people's lives and thank you for your wisdom, encouragement, compassion and inspiration. You have a new fan - because now, you've touched my life. Thank you!
No comments:
Post a Comment