“Books were my pass to personal freedom. I learned to read at age three, and there discovered was a whole world to conquer that went beyond our farm in Mississippi.”
―
Oprah Winfrey
“For sure we live in a youth-obsessed culture that is constantly trying to tell us that if we’re not young and glowing and “hot,” we don’t matter. But I refuse to buy into such a distorted view of reality. And I would never lie about or deny my age. To do so is to contribute to a sickness pervading our society—the sickness of wanting to be what you’re not. I know for sure that only by owning who and what you are can you step into the fullness of life. I feel sorry for anyone who buys into the myth that you can be what you once were. The way to your best life isn’t denial. It’s owning every moment and staking a claim to the here and now. You’re not the same woman you were a decade ago; if you’re lucky, you’re not the same woman you were last year. The whole point of aging, as I see it, is change. If we let them, our experiences can keep teaching us about ourselves. I celebrate that. Honor it. Hold it in reverence. And I’m grateful for every age I’m blessed to become.”
―
Oprah Winfrey
“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.”
―
Oprah Winfrey
“I know for sure that what we dwell on is who we become.”
―
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.”
―
Oprah Winfrey
“My primary and most essential goal in life is to remain connected to the world of spirit. Everything else will take care of itself—this I know for sure. And my number-one spiritual practice is trying to live in the present moment … to resist projecting into the future, or lamenting past mistakes … to feel the real power of now. That, my friends, is the secret to a joyful life.”
―
Oprah Winfrey
“Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity.”
―
Oprah Winfrey
“You face the biggest challenge of all: to have the courage to seek your big dream regardless of what anyone says. You are the only person alive who can see your big picture and even you can't see it all.”
―
Oprah Winfrey
“At different times in our journeys, if we’re paying attention, we get to sing the song we’re meant to sing in the perfect key of life.”
―
Oprah Winfrey
“You become what you believe. And to believe that you are created by the power that's greater than yourself means anything is possible.”
―
Oprah Winfrey
“Everything happens for a reason, even when we are not wise enough to see it. When there is no struggle, there is no strength.”
―
Oprah Winfrey
“When people show you who they are ... believe them!”
―
Oprah Winfrey