the amateur

Oprah.

Maybe that's not so unexpected to some people, but I've never even seen an episode of Oprah. But a while ago, someone linked to the transcript of her final speech, and some of what she said has stayed with me.

"Nobody but you is responsible for your life. It doesn't matter what your mama did; it doesn't matter what your daddy didn't do. You are responsible for your life."
-my friend Sarah always says: "No one will get you out of bed in the morning but you." Oprah would be proud.

"There is a difference, you know, between thinking you deserve to be happy and knowing you are worthy of happiness."

"What I got was we often block our own blessings because we don't feel inherently good enough or smart enough or pretty enough or worthy enough...the show has taught me you're worthy because you are born and because you are here. Your being here, your being alive makes worthiness your birthright. You alone are enough."
-I once read that creating a mantra and repeating it to yourself throughout the day, every day, changes your outlook. Mine was 'I am enough.' I think maybe I should bring it back. 



"I've talked to nearly 30,000 people on this show, and all 30,000 had one thing in common: They all wanted validation. If I could reach through this television and sit on your sofa or sit on a stool in your kitchen right now, I would tell you that every single person you will ever meet shares that common desire. They want to know: 'Do you see me? Do you hear me? Does what I say mean anything to you?'"
-Sarah again. When we talk about relationships, we agree that we want a witness to our life. I think that's just another way of saying what Oprah is saying. We want someone to be with us in the small moments to validate our existence. Like the phrase from The Help: You are kind, you are smart, you are important. 

"What I've gleaned from this show: Whispers are always messages, and if you don't hear the message, the message turns into a problem. And if you don't handle the problem, the problem turns into a crisis. And if you don't handle the crisis, disaster. Your life is speaking to you. What is it saying?"
-Love love love. The still small voice...