Inspiration of the Week: Becoming Bigger Than Yourself - Oprah's Farewell Show

"I can't believe this is happening!!" I kept repeating as I sat in the United Center on Tuesday night for Oprah's Farewell Show. The night was a roller coaster of emotions from uncontrollable laughter to being moved to tears. When Oprah walked onto the stage, you can feel her presence. Her confidence shined as bright as a star, yet was completely humble and absolutely grateful for the crowd of thousands in that arena. I know she's just a person... like you... and me.... but it was as if I was in the presence of someone bigger than herself.

One morning in December of 2010, after coffee with my friend Courtney, we decided to try something new. We took a walk to The Buddhist Temple of Chicago in the Uptown neighborhood. Uncertain as to what we were getting ourselves into. We went with the flow. We took seats in the middle of the room and flipped through the pages of the handbooks that we were given. Little did I know, my life would be changed before I walked out of that place.

In the middle of the service, they gathered the children to recite a passage and discuss a Buddhist lesson. "We are a chain of love that wraps around the planet. It is our mission to be the brightest link in that chain so that others around you can shine just as bright." Ever have one of those "Ah-ha!" moments? That was mine.

I couldn't help but think of that Buddhist passage while I basked in the presence of Oprah. The millions of people that she has impacted becuase she stayed true to herself. Maya Angelou recited a poem about Oprah that night. She proclaimed Oprah's unwavering generosity, her rise above the mainstream, becoming the influence that God intended.

She is the blinding light in the chain that allows others to shine just as bright.

Just for today, I encourage you to be a bright link. Be true to yourself without fear of rejection. Rise above the mainstream. Become bigger than yourself. Watch that light spill into the hearts of the thousands around you.

Shine



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