Oprah on the importance of nurture

Oprah at the Stanford Business School

In a recent interview to the students of Stanford Business School, Oprah offered several insights closely aligned with the theme of this blog. With disarming candor she discussed topics ranging from her beginnings to the meaning of life. The central theme of her interview however is the importance of constantly pausing to listen to one's inner voice. The first step to anything is really about finding yourself ( there is no doing in the world without being). This is hard work, and must be lifelong process (pay attention to your life, I work on being awake).  

What stands out in the interview is her belief in the greater purpose of every human being. She for instance was born out a single causal sexual encounter between her parents, but knew that she would not be defined by that.

Always find the connection to your self and to that which is larger than yourself.
 
Your calling goes beyond your job, there is a definite role of destiny.

You can change the world only if you know yourself.

 While one must strive to find one's calling, it's not always easy. A good place to start is to know what you don't want to do. It was after a series of misfit odd jobs that she found her true calling as a talk show host. She clarified that within her role as a talk show host, her real purpose is to raise the level of people's consciousness.   

How does one know when they have found the right career for themselves?

When the personality comes to serve the energy of your soul, that is authentic empowerment.

When your personality is aligned with your purpose..and nobody can touch you. You wake up every day raring to go.

The highest truest expression of yourself  is what everyone is looking for.


She stresses on the importance of nurture - of taking care of yourself. She mentions that one of the questions she asks when hiring top executives is about their spiritual practice (non-religious), because she wants to know how they keep themselves centered amidst their busy lives. 

 It is important to lead a genuine inner life.

Fill yourself up first, only then can you offer. Be full of yourself. Honor yourself. and what which is greatere than youself. Only through that can you offer yourself, your full expression of yourself. Nurture yourself. Quieten your inner voice that you are not good enough. Your being here is such a miraculous thing, and your real job is to honor that. I am the lucky one who got to be here.

One important insight she offered for leaders is to pay attention to their followers needs.

Every person in the world shares one common desire - the need for validation. Did you hear me? Did you see me?

(She gained this insight because every guest in her show from a confident Bill Clinton to a murderer, always asks the same question at the end of the interview: "how did it go'?)

Yet another piece of advice is her take on mistakes and failures.

There are no mistakes. There is a supreme destiny. Your job is to listen to that, and be that. There are no wrong pathys. Failure is just one thing trying to lead you in that path. The losses are there to wake you up. You are not going to be defined by one mistake, one incident. Just ask what is the next right move


Listen to this engaging and insightful talk here.

 Picture credit