What I know for Sure by Oprah Winfrey

What I know for Sure by Oprah Winfrey

 (Book review 4/2015)

When you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance (Maya Angelou). I hope you aren’t so wrapped up in nonessential stuff that you forget to really enjoy yourself – because this moment is about to be over.

Barn’s burnt down / Now I can see the moon. Mizuta Masahide (17^th century Japanese poet).

Looking back through Bradshaw’s window into my life, I was sad that the people closest to me didn’t seem to realize what a sweet-spirited little girl I was. But I also felt strengthened, seeing it for myself.

There is one irrefutable law of universe: We are each responsible for our own life.

What I know for sure is that the only way to endure the quake is to adjust your stance. You can’t avoid the daily tremors. They come with being alive. But I believe these experiences are gifts that force us to step to the right or left in search of a new center of gravity. Don’t fight them. Let them help you adjust your footing. In this moment you’re finding a way to step onto higher ground.

I know for sure that when you remove the fear, the answer you’ve been searching for comes into focus. And as you walk into what you fear, you should know for sure that your deepest struggle can, if you’re willing and open, produce your greatest strength.

One of my greatest lessons has been to fully understand that what looks like a dark patch in the quest for success is the universe pointing you in a new direction. Anything can be a miracle, a blessing, an opportunity if you choose to see it that way.

“I go forth alone, and stand as ten thousand, “ Maya Angelou proclaimed in her poem “Our Grandmothers” When I move through the world, I bring all my history with me-all the people who paved the way for me are part of who I am.

Lack of intimacy is not distance from someone else; it is disregard for yourself. It’s true that we all need the kind of relationships that enrich and sustain us. But it’s also true that you’re looking for someone to heal and complete you.

You have the power to give yourself the love, affection, and intimacy you may not have received as a child.

The key to any relationship is communication. A relationship built on real love feels good. It should bring you joy-not just some of the time but most of the time.

If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is ‘Thank You’, it will be enough-Meister Eckhart. I know for sure: If you make time for a little gratitude every day, you’ll be amazed by the results.

I gave to someone else; in the same way that someone had given to me. And I know for sure that’s what we’re here to do: Keep the giving going.

 “Soar, eat ether, see what has never been seen; depart, be lost, but climb.” –Edna St. Vincent Millay

What I know for sure is this: You are built not to shrink down to less but to blossom into more. To be more splendid. To be more extraordinary. To use every moment to fill yourself up.

My biggest mistakes in life have all stemmed from giving my power to someone else-believing that the love others had to offer was more important that the love I had to give to myself.

 “In the word question, there is a beautiful word-quest. I love that word.” –Elie Wiesel

The older I get, the less tolerance I have for pettiness and superficial pursuits.

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin: “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.

Glinda the good witch- “You’ve always had the power.” You just have to be still to find it. And when you do, you’re on the way to finding the fullest expression of you.

I know for sure that whenever your inner GPS is off-kilter, trouble awaits. Your instincts are your compass.

I try not to waste time-because I don’t want to waste myself.

What would happen if we declared our homes, our relationships, our lives a gossip-free zone? We’d probably be surprised at how much time we’d free up to do the work that’s most significant –building our dreams rather than tearing down others’.

Become the change you want to see. Instead of belittling, uplift. Instead of demolishing, rebuild. Instead of misleading, light the way so that all of us can stand on higher ground.

Give your best in every circumstance so that you have no reason to judge yourself and create guilt and shame. Make a decision and watch your life move forward.

I know for sure that there is no them-there’s only us.

I know for sure that what I think, what I say, what I do-everything will be returned to me. And the same is true for you.

The Diary of a Vagabond (Page 1)

The Diary of a Vagabond

 

My friend came to drop me to the Wankaner station as I was going to Pune. He dropped me to the station and went on to resume his work as it was a regular day. My ticked was confirmed recently into RAC (sharing single seat with the other person). I had taken with me the book by Oprah Winfrey “What I Know For Sure” for passing my time in train. I started reading the book after having a brief look at the fellow passengers. The TC(ticket checker) came gazed at me and went I didn’t bother to show him the ticket without his asking as the previous TC had already checked my ticket. The lady sitting in the opposite seat told me that the TC saw my book and went but I didn’t heed much to her and continued my reading. 

Nevertheless I was assured of it when the TC returned and told me that he too has read this book and it’s a great book thus started our conservation where he skimmed through the book and sang songs like “Zindagi kaisi yeh paheli hai” from Anand and other melodious old songs, I also joined the tunes and sang the songs along with him. He skimmed rapidly through the book and got the gist of the book. I was happy by his thirst for knowledge and his passion to read different books which the passengers were carrying. He told me about himself that he was a singer and also sang in the church choir group. He was fascinated by the old songs. He believed in the policy of enjoying the present and connecting with people. There was a shoe polish boy nearby who told me that the TC gave him ten rupees which no TC ever gave him for his services. The TC added that the person needed this money for his evening dose of hooch. 

After skimming the full book he offered me a coffee which I accepted so on the next station we went for coffee and then I asked him his name, it was Riju Micheal. I also took his photo and his contacts. His age was above 40 but looked like under 30 I think this was because of his joyful nature and the skill to connect with people. He showed me other passenger and told me that he too had some other book which also he had skimmed and lastly he told me that it was a wonderful day as he could meet me and I also reciprocated. I asked him about my seat so he said it was difficult to convert to full one as the train was full. At night I was sharing my seat with a fat guy so it was not at all comfortable but I can sleep sitting so I slept while he wriggled and at last opted to sleep in the space between two seats and left the full seat for myself. Really what a day it was.