The Oprah Effect

Just when you thought you could not stand to hear another word about Oprah’s Farewell Season, I would like to share a few final thoughts. I am not Oprah’s biggest fan, but I liked many of her shows, and I think she was a warm, generous, positive influence on all of those whom she touched.

Very often I heard friends and acquaintances ask, “Did YOU see Oprah yesterday?” She hit all the hot buttons; that’s for sure. I could not tell you all of my favorite episodes, but Oprah’s favorite things show was always fun. Just recently I enjoyed Maya Angelou on her 70th birthday and an interview with President and Mrs. Obama.

Personally, I appreciated hearing about and reading many of Oprah’s Book Club selections. I adopted the habit of keeping a “journal of gratitude” from Oprah’s shows with Christiane Northrup, a physician well known for her empowering approach to women’s health and wellness. And the idea to create a “dream board” of what you want to accomplish helped me to plan and visualize all my redecorating projects.

On her final episode, Oprah noted that she had not missed a day in 25 years. Wow! Who among us can say that? She stood alone on the stage and summarized what she had learned and what she hoped to pass along.

• “Find out what you’re supposed to be doing and do it!”
• “What sparks the light in you…in your own way can illuminate the world.”
• “You are responsible for your own life and happiness.”
• “Everybody wants to be heard.”

In addition to being the Queen of Self-Promotion, Oprah has enthusiastically endorsed many others: Dr. Phil, Gayle King, Nate Berkus, Dr. Oz, and Rachel Ray. She has championed the causes of the poor, the uneducated, the abused, the ill, and the disenfranchised. She has given away trips, makeovers, houses, scholarships, and even schools. Because of all of this and more, Oprah has been described as “everybody’s girlfriend.” I call it the Oprah Effect.