TLDR;
Oprah Winfrey shares insights on purpose, intention, and living a fulfilling life. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, spiritual practice, and using one's talents in service to others. Oprah encourages listeners to embrace their unique journey, learn from failures, and trust in a power greater than themselves to achieve their dreams.
- Understanding and expressing oneself authentically is key to fulfillment.
- Intention behind actions determines their impact and consequences.
- Service to others and gratitude are essential components of a meaningful life.
Introduction [0:00]
Evan Carmichael introduces Oprah Winfrey as a source of motivation for living one's best life, emphasizing the importance of self-belief and recognizing one's talents.
The Core of What Matters [0:27]
Oprah discusses the commonality among all people, stating that everyone seeks to fulfill their highest, truest expression as a human being. She highlights that there is no difference between individuals, regardless of their platform or profession, as long as they are offering their gifts to the world. Oprah emphasizes the importance of getting still, asking what the next right move is, and not being overwhelmed by challenges, as life is bigger than any single moment.
Luck is Preparation [2:23]
Oprah shares her perspective on luck, defining it as preparation meeting opportunity, and emphasizes that every experience in life prepares individuals for future moments. She encourages listeners not to be held hostage by their past mistakes, as these experiences are meant to make them better and help them rise. Oprah stresses the importance of having a spiritual practice to nourish oneself and fill one's cup, enabling them to give to others without resentment.
Trust of the People [5:16]
Oprah emphasizes the importance of gaining people's trust and using one's resources to create sustainability within the community. She underscores that the foundation of empowerment, entrepreneurship, and overall well-being lies in knowing oneself and one's origins.
Knowing Where I Come From [7:41]
Oprah describes two items in her home that remind her of her origins: a painting depicting a slave woman on the auction block and a framed list of enslaved African-American people. She explains that these serve as daily reminders of where she comes from and the distance she still has to go, as well as a reminder that she is never alone. Oprah emphasizes the importance of staying in the light and becoming a warrior of the light, especially in times of darkness.
Everything You Ever Try to Do to Me [11:10]
Oprah shares her understanding of the third law of motion, stating that what one puts out into the world is what comes back to them. She explains that her goal has always been to open people's hearts by telling stories that allow them to see themselves in others. Oprah believes that showing the common humanity between people is more powerful than focusing on differences.
The Power Base [14:58]
Oprah discusses the importance of aligning one's personality and gifts with their true purpose in life. She emphasizes the need to work on oneself, fill one's cup, and not be afraid of being full of oneself, as it allows one to have more to offer and give. Oprah explains that the intention behind Masterclass was to connect all stories and experiences, reminding people that they are not alone in their journeys.
The Secret of That Show [17:43]
Oprah reflects on the secret to her show's success, noting that people could see themselves in her, regardless of her financial success. She emphasizes the importance of staying grounded and continuing to do the consciousness work to stay awake. Oprah shares a message to her younger self, advising her to relax and stop being afraid, as everything will be alright.
Highest Expression of Myself [21:19]
Oprah shares that her inspiration comes from a desire to fulfill the highest expression of herself as a human being. She wants to use up every possibility of her humanity and leave the planet knowing she gave her all. Oprah emphasizes that the fundamental key to success is what one believes is true for themselves, not what they want or desire.
Boundaries [24:20]
Oprah discusses the difficulty she had in setting boundaries, especially after becoming wealthy. She learned that people kept asking for things because her intention was to make them think she was a nice person who would always say yes. Oprah shares a story about saying no to Stevie Wonder and realizing that people are often not as concerned about your decisions as you might think.
Master of Your Fate [27:14]
Oprah emphasizes the importance of determining one's own boundaries and making choices based on what feels right. She encourages listeners to turn their wounds into wisdom, viewing failures as redirection. Oprah shares her experience of being taken off the air as an anchorwoman and how it led her to discover her true passion in talk shows.
Intentional Television [29:52]
Oprah recounts instances where she felt she was contributing to negative energy on television, such as a show about mistresses and wives and an interview with the KKK. She then decided to only do intentional television, focusing on shows with a clear intention for the outcome. Oprah emphasizes the importance of cause and effect being determined by one's intention.
Warrior of the Light [34:05]
Oprah reflects on missing her audience and emphasizes the importance of staying in the light, especially in times of darkness. She teaches that there is no life without cultivating a spiritual life, as individuals are spiritual beings having a human experience. Oprah stresses the importance of gratitude, kindness, empathy, inspiration, joy, and reverence for life.
Truest Highest Vision [36:07]
Oprah explains that what drives her to keep working hard is the desire to live out the truest, highest expression of herself as a human being. She emphasizes that there is always a next level and that one should continue to use their value as a human being. Oprah encourages listeners to create the highest, grandest vision possible for their lives because they become what they believe.
Power Greater Than Myself [39:29]
Oprah shares that the secret to her success is understanding that there is a power greater than herself that rules her life. She emphasizes the importance of connecting to the source, whether it's called God, nature, or the force, and allowing that energy to be connected to the greater force. Oprah recounts early career experiences where she tried to emulate Barbara Walters, but learned to be a better Oprah than a better Barbara.
Believe Them the First Time [42:23]
Oprah advises listeners to believe people when they show you who they are the first time. She encourages living life from a point of view of truth to survive everything. Oprah leads a breathing exercise, encouraging listeners to feel the vibration and pulse of their personal energy and to appreciate the gift of another chance to do and be better.
Skilled, Vigilant, Fantastic [47:27]
Oprah advises listeners to become so skilled, vigilant, and fantastic at what they do that their talent cannot be dismissed. She emphasizes the importance of not comparing oneself to others and fulfilling the highest, truest expression of oneself as a human being. Oprah stresses that individuals are responsible for their own lives and should not wait for someone else to save or fix them.
Tara Trent [49:37]
Oprah shares the story of Tara Trent, her favorite guest of all time, who overcame immense obstacles to achieve her dreams of getting a college degree, a master's degree, and a doctorate. Oprah explains that Tara Trent represents everything she tried to say in every show in 25 years, summing up the message that viewers should keep trying and not give up. She emphasizes that the universe speaks to us always, first in whispers, and that it's important to pay attention to those whispers.
Spiritual Teacher [55:17]
Oprah explains that she can now accept the fact that she can offer her gatherings of information and wisdom and call herself a spiritual teacher. She emphasizes that every person who ever came on her show had something meaningful and valuable to say. Oprah stresses that one's number one job is to become more of themselves and to grow themselves into the best of themselves.
Make Yourself Whole [56:57]
Oprah emphasizes that it is one's job to make themselves whole, not perfect, and to fill themselves until their cup runneth over. She shares that she came from very modest circumstances and doesn't have a problem with the word "poor." Oprah expresses frustration with young people who think success is supposed to happen quickly and don't understand the process involved.
Jesus at Dinner [59:42]
Oprah shares that if she could have any dream dinner companions, dead or alive, she would like Jesus to come to dinner and explain if the churches and people and everything that has happened in his name is what he wanted. She also shares that if she weren't Oprah, she would definitely be teaching in a classroom because it brings her the greatest joy. Oprah shares a story about teaching an eighth-grade class and helping them understand Maya Angelou's quote, "I come as one, but I stand as 10,000."
Always Just Myself [1:01:41]
Oprah shares that she figured out how to be herself completely on television and has made a fortune really being herself. She emphasizes that she is never not the person that people see. Oprah explains that life has dreamed a dream for each individual, and their number one job is to figure out what that dream is and align themselves with it.
Building From Scratch [1:03:58]
Oprah discusses the challenges of starting her own network after leaving the Oprah show. She emphasizes the importance of trusting the vision, building the right team, and practicing what she had preached for years about going inside and staying with the vision. Oprah shares that she started to notice that everyone she had on the show would ask her, "Was that okay?" at the end of the show, and she realized that what people are really saying is, "Did you hear me? Did what I say mean anything to you?"
What Do I Have to Offer [1:07:15]
Oprah emphasizes that everyone has a different talent and that people get messed up because they are looking at everyone else's talent and wishing they had some of their talent. She encourages listeners to focus on what they have to offer, how they can be used in service, and to switch the paradigm to service in order to make any job more fulfilling. Oprah shares that there is not a thing that happens to her that she doesn't look at as a teaching-learning experience.
Reading is the Strongest Signal for Success [1:08:49]
Oprah emphasizes that reading is the strongest signal for success in the future. She explains that when you are a great reader, you can articulate and speak and command the English language in ways that other people cannot. Oprah discusses the power of manifestation and meditation, explaining that meditation syncs you up with the source and allows you to tap into the power that created you.
Personal Intention [1:11:35]
Oprah shares that it is her intention to fulfill the dream of the creator and to live to the highest calling. She encourages listeners to ask the creator what their dream is for them and to lean into the dream that the universe has for them. Oprah explains that when you are synced up with life, life just gives to you.
No Regrets [1:12:39]
Oprah shares that she has no regrets about ending her show after 25 years. She explains that she didn't want to be punch-drunk in the ring still trying to come up with what is the next thing. Oprah emphasizes the importance of knowing your own value and not comparing yourself to other people.
You Alone Are Enough [1:13:38]
Oprah shares that Maya Angelou used to say to her, "Baby, you need to know that you alone are enough." She explains that every single day, she would have a pre-show meeting and have the producers state to her, "What is your intention?" Oprah emphasizes the importance of using the platform of television as a platform of service.
Bigger Dream Waiting For You [1:15:14]
Oprah emphasizes that there is a bigger dream waiting for each individual to step into it. She explains that life is big and huge, and people spend so much time wanting to be in somebody else's life. Oprah encourages listeners to lean into the dream that's already been created and waiting for them.
The Color Purple [1:22:37]
Oprah shares the story of how she got the part in The Color Purple. She explains that she read the book and loved it, and then she started praying to God to help her find a way to get into the movie. Oprah recounts how Quincy Jones saw her on AM Chicago and thought he had found Sophia.
Moonong [1:25:31]
Oprah shares that she got a call from Ruben Cannon, who said he was calling about a movie called Moonong. She explains that she had not been praying for Moonong, she had been praying for The Color Purple. Oprah recounts how she auditioned for The Color Purple and then didn't hear anything for three months.
The Fat Has Finally Caught Up With Me [1:27:14]
Oprah shares that she called Ruben Cannon, who told her that real actresses had auditioned for the part. She explains that she hung up the phone and started crying, thinking that God had played a trick on her. Oprah recounts how she decided that this was because the fat had finally caught up with her and that she must get rid of the fat in two weeks.
I Surrender All [1:29:04]
Oprah shares that she started praying on the track at the fat farm, asking God to help her to let it go. She explains that she kept hearing this noise and realized it was her thighs rubbing together. Oprah recounts how she sang "I Surrender All" and cried and prayed some more until she could reach the point where she could bless the other actress.
You're Hired [1:31:41]
Oprah shares that the instant she laid that thing down, a woman came running out of the cafeteria screaming that Steven Spielberg was on the telephone for her. She explains that Spielberg said he'd like to see her in his office in California tomorrow and that if she lost a pound, she could lose the part. Oprah recounts how she packed her bags and stopped at the Dairy Queen, and the next day she was in Steven Spielberg's office, and he said, "You're hired."
Every Life You Touch [1:34:30]
Oprah shares that Maya Angelou told her that her legacy is every life she touches. She emphasizes that it will take more than one person alone to solve the world's problems, but asks who will you be if you don't care enough to try. Oprah encourages listeners to pick a problem and do something about it because to somebody who's hurting, something is everything.