Black Excellence Month: Day 11

Oprah Winfrey
Actress  Producer  Talk Show Host  Philanthropist
1954 -

"What I know is that if you do work that you love, and the work fulfills you, the rest will come."

-Oprah

---

Recommended Watching:

• The Color Purple
• Lee Daniels' The Butler
• Beloved
• Princess and the Frog
• Oprah: Where Are They Now?
• Oprah's Lifeclass
• Super Soul Sunday
• Oprah's Next Chapter
• Oprah on Believing in Yourself
• Oprah on Taking Responsibility for Your Own Life
• How To Know When You've Found Your Purpose in Life
• Inspiring Words from Oprah Winfrey
• Learning How to Trust Your Instincts 
• The Powerful Lesson Maya Angelou Taught Oprah
• Harvard Commencement Speech 2013
• Spelman Commencement Address 2012
• Oprah's Gratitude Journal
• A Conversation with Oprah
• Medal of Freedom

---

Recommended Reading:

• Oprah: Make the Connection by Oprah Winfrey
• Oprah Winfrey and American Greatness
• O, The Oprah Magazine
• Oprah's Kids' Reading List
• Oprah's Book Club

“I’ve come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that’s as unique as a fingerprint – and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.” 

-Oprah Winfrey

Words of Wisdom

In Oprah's magazine, there was a wonderful piece called "Dr. Phil's Words to Live By." It was great. I found it really inspiring and motivating. They're meant to inspire you everyday. I'll list my favorites below and what they mean to me. This article was in Oprah's "O" magazine from January 2014, Volume 15, Number 1.

• Everybody has a personal truth. Your personal truth is what's true for you. You're responsible for yours and yours only. It's what you believe about yourself. It's your life goals. and your life path. It's unique to you and that's what your focus should be on--your truth.
•  Happiness isn't one size fits all.  Remember that what makes one person happy may not make you happy. Just because it's right for you doesn't mean it's right for them and that's no one's fault. You can't expect someone's source of happiness to bring you happiness as well. Everyone is different and what's best for them is different. What I think is most important about this is that means that you can't, or shouldn't, judge someone for what makes them happy. Be supportive and remember that this thing that's making them happy could also be keeping them alive.
• The universe rewards action. If want to something, work to make it happen! Work. Work Work if you want to see results. If you have a goal you want to reach, make plans to get there.