Oprah Winfrey · 2014 · Essays
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This book gathers short essays from the monthly column Oprah Winfrey wrote for O, The Oprah Magazine over fourteen years, revised and collected in one volume. The column’s name came from a question the film critic Gene Siskel once asked her about what she knew for certain. The pieces are grouped into eight themes: joy, resilience, connection, gratitude, possibility, awe, clarity and power.
Drawing on her difficult childhood, her career and everyday moments, Winfrey reflects on gratitude, self-worth, intention, relationships and listening to her inner voice. The essays are brief and personal, closer to reflections than arguments, and suit reading a few pages at a time. Throughout, she stresses taking responsibility for your own happiness.
Key insights
- Keep a gratitude journal. Writing down a few good things each day trains your attention to notice more of what is going well.
- Pay attention to intention. The reasons behind your actions shape their consequences, so be clear about why you are doing something.
- Treat uncertainty as a signal to pause. When you are unsure or lack enthusiasm, get still before acting rather than pushing ahead.
- Say no when something does not align with your values; wait for a clear, wholehearted yes before committing your time.
- Take responsibility for your own happiness instead of relying on others for validation; past pain can become a source of strength.
Read it if you enjoy short, warm reflections on gratitude and self-worth that can be read a few pages at a time.