“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.”
―
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
“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
“Follow your instincts. That's where true wisdom manifests itself.”
―
Oprah Winfrey
“You get to know who you really are in a crisis.”
―
Oprah Winfrey
“The big secret in life is there is no secret. Whatever your goal. You can get there if you're willing to work.”
―
Oprah Winfrey
“We can't become what we need to be by remaining what we are.”
―
Oprah Winfrey
“Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could have been any different, it's accepting the past for what it was, and using this moment and this time to help yourself move forward.”
―
Oprah Winfrey
“Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it. ”
―
Oprah Winfrey
“Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could have been any different.”
―
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
“The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.”
―
Oprah Winfrey
“You aren't your past, you are probability of your future.”
―
Oprah Winfrey
“Challenges are gifts that force us to search for a new center of gravity. Don't fight them. Just find a new way to stand.”
―
Oprah Winfrey