Ode to O

Ode to O....


Yes, I am a HUGE, somewhat fanatical, Oprah fan....o.k. super fan.  I love her show, her authenticity, her vulernability, her intention and purpose to use her life in this world and from her platform.   I have been in the audience 3 times:   2008 - "Middlesex" topic and book show,  2009 "women vs. men" Dr. Oz show, and 2010 Ellen Degeneres show.     On the Dr. Oz episode we ended up being on the women's side of the stage, and I was able to find myself on t.v. for a brief moment.   Truly, each time I shared the experience with people I adore and it was just a huge thrill!

That is me circa 2008 with the in the green dress ( I wore this dress because it is fab, but also because it is Oprah's favorite color, and I know how that sounds).....

 I am with girlfriends at the Oprah show BACKSTAGE.  Yes, that's right.   

And we met Dr. Oz (but I can't find that photo!)  This is from the Dr. Oz taping when we were on stage.   

We are sure we were chosen to be on stage because we were so colorful!

My love for all things O began when I was this 12 year old awkward girl on the verge of adolescence and all the confusion that brings.  After school I would catch episodes.  I can't even begin to recall all the episodes I have watched over the years, but since the invention of the beloved DVR I haven't missed an episode in 3 years.  From my suburban living room I do remember watching Oprah often felt like an eye opening experience on many days....I learned about controversial issues like race, abortion, homosexuality;  the holocaust, poverty, homelessness, eating disorders, addiction, marital problems to makeovers.    Back then I didn't have a lot of opinions, but they were developing, forming who I am today.  Honestly, back then I didn't know much about anything outside of my safe, middle-class, white suburban world.  That is the truth and I craved that insight.


It is also the truth that I was curious.  I wanted to learn and know more, to understand myself and how I will relate to the world.   I asked myself "Who am I, and what is my purpose in the world"? The high school, college years, & marriage came along and Oprah remained a constant in my life.  I was still asking the question, "who am I, what is my purpose".   At this time I watched Oprah because I respected her view on the world.  I loved what she was offering and teaching me everyday.  I really did want to live my best life.   I worked as a social worker, grad school came along, moves and motherhood.  All the while O remained.  Sure it was entertainment.  But it was much more than a show to me.  It was opening my mind, my heart, helping me understand myself and place in the world.  Even now I am amazed that a t.v. show could do this.   How powerful it can be.   But as I reflect on it, watching O was more than a just a t.v. show to me.  As I watched the show over the years, I saw it evolve too.  The topics became more insightful and purposeful, just as I was.  I had grown and matured along with it.   The intention of the show was in line with the intention I was developing for me life.


So, as the Oprah show comes to an end I feel a sense of loss for what has been a constant source of inspiration in my life for so many years.  I will miss that daily dose.  But "what I know for sure" is that in all those hours of watching Oprah, listening, taking in the topics and information, I have at the same time taken bits and pieces of it into the core of who I am....and in that is the gratitude.

Alas, I will still listen to my Oprah XM channel continually, receive my O magazine and watch shows on the OWN network....but it is good-by to my Oprah show days.   sniff, sniff

So, go ahead embrace the end of the Oprah show....and take these words with you-

Sharing some of my favorite divine Oprah quotes.... 
(I don't know all of these by heart.  google helped me.)


“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.”


“What God intended for you goes far beyond anything you can imagine.”


"All pain is the same...."    (so true)


"When you know better you do better"   (have used this one with my kids already)

"As you become more clear about who you really are, you'll be better able to decide what is best for you - the first time around."    (isn't that the truth?)   "Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough".  "Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother".     (couldn't agree more.) "Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure".  all quotes -Oprah Winfrey