When you come to know this, you realize that
even though the canvas of your life is painted with daily experiences,
behaviors, reactions, and emotions, you’re the one controlling the brush.
even though the canvas of your life is painted with daily experiences,
behaviors, reactions, and emotions, you’re the one controlling the brush.
Wow. Have you ever
looked at an old picture and been instantly transported back in time — to the
point where you can feel the fabric of the shirt you were wearing, and smell
the room you were standing in?
looked at an old picture and been instantly transported back in time — to the
point where you can feel the fabric of the shirt you were wearing, and smell
the room you were standing in?
That’s what this photo [above] does for me.
I was 21 years old. I had bought the entire outfit off a mannequin at Cain-Sloan
in Nashville. (Never was a bargain shopper. To this day, going through racks of
clothes looking for a find makes me anxious.) The skirt cost $40. I’d never
spent that much on a single item of clothing.
I was 21 years old. I had bought the entire outfit off a mannequin at Cain-Sloan
in Nashville. (Never was a bargain shopper. To this day, going through racks of
clothes looking for a find makes me anxious.) The skirt cost $40. I’d never
spent that much on a single item of clothing.
But I was willing to do it for my first major celebrity
interview: Jesse
Jackson. He was speaking at a local high school, telling students,
“Down with dope, up with hope!” and I had been assigned to cover him. My news
director didn’t think the event was worth our time, but I’d insisted (okay,
pleaded), assuring him I could come back with a piece worthy of the 6 o’clock
news. And I did.
interview: Jesse
Jackson. He was speaking at a local high school, telling students,
“Down with dope, up with hope!” and I had been assigned to cover him. My news
director didn’t think the event was worth our time, but I’d insisted (okay,
pleaded), assuring him I could come back with a piece worthy of the 6 o’clock
news. And I did.
I had a fondness for telling other people’s stories, extracting
the truth of their experience into a digestible nugget that could inform,
inspire, or benefit someone else. Still, I was uncertain about what to say or
how to say it. The truth is, I was just moving on instinct.
the truth of their experience into a digestible nugget that could inform,
inspire, or benefit someone else. Still, I was uncertain about what to say or
how to say it. The truth is, I was just moving on instinct.
If I knew then what I know now, I would never have wasted even a
single minute doubting my path. It may be human nature to question and doubt,
but the older I get, the less I worry about anything. I can see life unfolding
in divine order. And even in times of the greatest turmoil, I can stop, get
still, and see with utter clarity: This, too, shall pass.
single minute doubting my path. It may be human nature to question and doubt,
but the older I get, the less I worry about anything. I can see life unfolding
in divine order. And even in times of the greatest turmoil, I can stop, get
still, and see with utter clarity: This, too, shall pass.
Because everything always does. Until finally we do.
No matter what you’re struggling through — no matter the pain or
anguish — you can go inside behind your mind and observe it happening to you.
Whatever it is, it isn’t you. You are the observer.
anguish — you can go inside behind your mind and observe it happening to you.
Whatever it is, it isn’t you. You are the observer.
When you come to know this, you realize that even though the
canvas of your life is painted with daily experiences, behaviors, reactions,
and emotions, you’re the one controlling the brush.
canvas of your life is painted with daily experiences, behaviors, reactions,
and emotions, you’re the one controlling the brush.
What a wonder! It would have been nice to know this at 21. I
could have saved myself a lot of heartache and self-doubt. But to fully
understand, at any age, that you are the artist of your own life — and can use
as many colors and textures as possible (and erase when necessary!)… now,
that’s a revelation.
could have saved myself a lot of heartache and self-doubt. But to fully
understand, at any age, that you are the artist of your own life — and can use
as many colors and textures as possible (and erase when necessary!)… now,
that’s a revelation.
Oprah Winfrey is
Chairman and CEO of Oprah Winfrey Network. This piece was first published in
Oprah Magazine.
Chairman and CEO of Oprah Winfrey Network. This piece was first published in
Oprah Magazine.
