Journal Entry # 10

At the moment I am currently reading “What I Know For Sure”, a biography by Oprah Winfrey. I personally enjoy this book because of the many ways in which Oprah describes her experiences and stories in a distinct, imaginative manner. These personal recollections tell about Oprah and her upbringing; her conflicts, her intimate life, the many peaks and valleys in the long path to success, and the wisdom gained along the process. These tales also offer an abstract, powerful and intimate glimpse into the heart and mind of one of the world's most extraordinary women. “What I Know For Sure”  provides the reader with somewhat of a guide to becoming one's best self, if you can decipher the lessons offered in the text. This attempt at reaching out and teaching the reader from her own experience is hinted when at the end of every story she proclaims “this is what i know for sure.”, granting a sense of gratification to every lesson and highlighting the knowledge that can be acquired and built upon to lead a more successful and healthier life.

           

What captured my imagination most within the text was how Oprah discussed her plans of ending her television show “The Oprah Winfrey Show” somewhat abruptly after her twentieth season in 2005. Seeing as how she ran her course long enough and was completely content with the many achievements she collected over the years of television and media, the possibility of this happening struck the hearts of many fans and women alike. According to Oprah, it wasn’t until an eight year old boy, unfortunately in the midst of a battle with cancer, reached out to her with a letter discussing the possibility of extending her reign on television another five years. He deemed twenty-five a “nicer” number as opposed to twenty, proclaiming she was his role model and that she still had it in her system to deliver a world of love and aspiration to her hopeful audience. This lit a fire of inspiration under Oprah, as she took this hurting young boys grave wish into consideration and extended her network contract another five years to continue giving back to her fans and people alike, showcasing just how selfless she actually was despite her many fortunes. I find Oprah’s desire to be a gracious and caring human being quite relatable in the sense where even when she feels she’s given enough to the world around her, she humbly continues doing what she does best; Giving.