Do the one thing you think you cannot do. Fail at it. Try again. Do better the second time. The only people who never tumble are those who never mount the high wire. This is your moment. Own it.
Oprah Winfrey
Tomorrow, The Oprah Winfrey Show is ending. I have never felt so sad about a show ending. This show has meant so much to me over the years. Oprah has meant so much to me over the years. As a subscriber to her magazine and an avid watcher of her network, I know her legacy and lessons will continue. But, tomorrow is the ending of a show that gave me daily inspiration to work harder, dream more, and to fear less.
I don't know when I started watching The Oprah Winfrey Show.... but I think it was in middle school. After the soaps, my godmother and I would watch the Oprah Show. While sitting on that stool in my parents' kitchen, I'd watch stories about extraordinary people. Some had life shattering tragedies happen to them... and they were still here to talk about it. Their strength amazed me and reminded me about the power of the human spirit.
That was a lesson I needed in middle school. I had wild curly hair, glasses, and no confidence. Finding a table at lunch was always stressful. I still remember the names kids called me back then. I know I'm not the only one with an experience like this...
But, when I came home, I was comforted by my family and Oprah.
In high school and college, I'd catch up on Oprah over the summers. By that time, I knew I wanted to be a journalist. I loved that each Oprah show taught me something new... I knew my career had to do the same.
The Oprah Show was also a big part of my training regimen for pageants. I'd watch an episode while on the bike or treadmill. Whenever I felt that my goals were too high, she'd remind me to keep focused on my dreams. Thanks to her and the love of my family, I made it to the top rounds of both Miss Teen USA and Miss USA. I remember getting a little teary eyed just before I went out on stage at Miss USA.... because I thought about that middle school girl who used to sit on a stool watching Oprah. If only she could see me then!
Fast forward to now... over the last two and a half years I've been working as a news reporter and anchor in Springfield, MA. There are days where the work fulfills me and I'm on a high. There are others when I want to cry because the job is hard... the weather is cold... and I'm away from everyone I love. Those are the days when I come home to my DVR and Oprah. Her subjects always rejuvenate me. Sometimes they entertain me and whisk me away. Othertimes, they remind me to be thankful. They always teach me to keep going, to keep believing in yourself, and to keep dreaming.
From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU Oprah!!! "What I know for sure" is that you have shaped the lives of so many young women just like me. Your show will be missed.
Respond to this blog and let me know how Oprah has touched your life!
Ok, that was long... on to products I'm obsessed with right now (I promised I'd talk about them and I've been slacking on the blog lately!) Right now, I'm OBSESSED with the Clarasonic Mia. It's changed my life. I learned about it from Maria Menounos's book "The Every Girl's Guide to Life." (I'm also obsessed with that book.) The Clarasonic makes my skin smoother and I haven't had a bad pimple for over a month and a half. I use it for a minute in the morning and a minute at night. AMAZING!
Second product from heaven is CND's SHELLAC! Wow, if you haven't had your nails done in a french shellac yet at the nail salon, you NEED to! It's incredible. I have gone three weeks with a chip free manicure thanks to this new product. Run to the salons and get one right now... thank me later. :)
Ok, that's enough for one night.