“During difficult times I often turn to a gospel song called “Stand.” In it, songwriter Donnie McClurkin sings, “What do you do when you’ve done all you can, and it seems like it’s never enough? What do you give when you’ve given your all, and it seems like you can’t make it through?” The answer lies in McClurkin’s simple refrain: “You just stand.” That’s where strength comes from—our ability to face resistance and walk through it. It’s not that people who persevere don’t ever feel doubt, fear, and exhaustion. They do. But in the toughest moments, we can have faith that if we take just one step more than we feel we’re capable of, if we draw on the incredible resolve every human being possesses, we’ll learn some of the most profound lessons life has to offer. What I know for sure is that there is no strength without challenge, adversity, resistance, and often pain. The problems that make you want to throw up your hands and holler “Mercy!” will build your tenacity, courage, discipline, and determination.”
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Oprah Winfrey
“There is no greater gift you can give or receive than to honor your calling. It’s why you were born. And how you become most truly alive.”
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Oprah Winfrey
“Make a decision and watch your life move forward.”
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Oprah Winfrey
“No matter what challenge you may be facing, you must remember that while the canvas of your life is painted with daily experiences, behaviors, reactions, and emotions, you’re the one controlling the brush. If I had known this at 21, I could have saved myself a lot of heartache and self-doubt. It would have been a revelation to understand that we are all the artists of our own lives—and that we can use as many colors and brushstrokes as we like.”
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Oprah Winfrey
“What I know for sure: There is no need to struggle with your body when you can make a loving and grateful peace with it.”
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Oprah Winfrey
“Real courage is being afraid but doing it anyway.”
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Oprah Winfrey
“Everyone wants to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.”
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Oprah Winfrey
“We go through life discovering the truth about who we are and determining who has earned the right to share the space within our heart. And now I simply want to share what I've been given. I want to continue to encourage as many people as I can to open their hearts to life, because if I know anything for sure, it's that opening my heart is what has brought memory greatest success and joy.”
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Oprah Winfrey
“Self-esteem comes from being able to define the world in your own terms and refusing to abide by the judgments of others.”
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Oprah Winfrey
“I still have my feet on the ground, I just wear better shoes.”
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Oprah Winfrey
“Start embracing the life that is calling you and use your life to serve the world.”
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Oprah Winfrey
“Your calling isn’t something that somebody can tell you about. It’s what you feel. It is the thing that gives you juice. The thing that you are supposed to do. And nobody can tell you what that is. You know it inside yourself.”
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Oprah Winfrey
“Only make decisions that support your self-image, self-esteem, and self-worth.”
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Oprah Winfrey
“My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.”
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Oprah Winfrey
