Soul Stories

Master Class with Morgan Freeman was a refreshing look at declaring who you are. Morgan Freeman was born poor and like so many people he believed in a power greater than himself. His story of how he manifested his dreams into reality is inspiring. Master Class on OWN has become my favorite new show. The inspiring words of others is truly motivating. You can catch some of his interview here: http://www.oprah.com/own-master-class/First-Look-Oprahs-Master-Class-with-Morgan-Freeman

“With providence as your guide and with determination to just keep moving your life will unfold as it should.” Morgan Freeman

He  mentioned this poem that hung on his boat on Master Class and when I read it I had to share. It is beautiful.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.

I was excited to see Oprah sit down with the cast of Roots 35 years later. How fitting, that it aired on Martin Luther King JR.’s Birthday. Do you remember watching the miniseries Roots. I remember sitting watching and even though I was only 12 at the time I remember thinking this was hard to watch. It was just as hard last night watching OWN and revisiting the whipping scene. As a child I did comprehend that this was real. This was someone’s story. It was where Alex Haley’s family came from, or should I say came through.

Watching this last night I had a hard time sleeping thinking of how our history is so heartbreaking. The stories from the past are often hard to read and when placed in movies they are often harder to watch. I can’t help but wonder why? Why was there slavery? Why did our ancestors not know that all people are equal? Why did this world have to suffer racism? Why there are still racists people living amongst us? Although I ask the questions I truly have no answers.

Growing up in a small town in Nova Scotia I know there were many racial issues. However in my childhood I was oblivious to them. I guess because my skin is white I truly had no idea how others were being treated. I have never used the N word. I believe I learned that from watching Roots. I saw that that word was just as cruel of a word ever spoken. To this day I do not allow that word to be spoken in my home.

Watching Oprah last night talk about The Middle Passage I cringed. I did not remember that from Roots. This morning I read all that I could on it. How tragic, barbaric, and completely numbing that thousand of Africa’s people were shipping via the Atlantic to be used as slaves in what they called The New World. It is estimated that more than two million people died during this passage, Two Million African people. Slaves were fed one meal a day with water, but if food was scarce, slaveholders would get priority over the slaves many ships kept the shackles on throughout the 6 month travel across the Atlantic.

Watching OWN is always educational and thought provoking. I hope that those of you who read this will take a moment and think about the history of Slavery. Take a moment and remember those who made it across the Atlantic as well as those who perished on the journey. Looking back is never easy however maybe there is a lesson we can all learn. Maybe the next time you think a racial thought you will remember Roots.

Oprah’s BACK! As she ended her 25 year daytime show I was saddened. Then she announced that she was creating OWN. The idea of OWN is mindful television. Television that will help us all stop and think and the tools and resources to help us live better, be better. Television that will show us life through the eyes of another. maybe through their journey we can learn from their mistakes so we do not have to repeat them. through the eyes of another we can also learn from their successes and how we too can become successful in our own lives. I love the concept.

To be honest, as I flicked through the channels last night I am not impressed at my options. The reality TV is just crazy. Last night I watched a few minutes of The Batchelor. Are you kidding me? Is that how women act? I don’t think so. If it is, I’m embarrassed. One of the other channels was Fear Factor. I don’t think so. I admit I dis watch the X Factor and I do like American Idol. The difference in those shows is that they are giving people the opportunity to live their dreams.

So more about OWN. As you likely know OWN has been struggling in the ratings department. Rosie has been a success, Oprah’s Life Class was also a huge success and January 1 st Oprah started Oprah’s Next Chapter. It had viewership of 1.1 million. The goal I heard Oprah say on Life Class was 1.2 million viewers for OWN. So as predicted people tune in when Oprah herself is on more than the other shows. The reality is Oprah cannot be on 24 hours a day. She is one person trying to make a difference in this world by sharing her life with us all. We need to get more people watching OWN. As time moves on I know we will see a brighter bigger lineup on OWN. Rome wasn’t built in a day. So as a huge supporter of Oprah I will be blogging and tweeting in hopes of helping her reach her goal. I believe we all need mindful television. I believe we could all learn a thing or two from Oprah.

I have joined forces with some pretty amazing people to help grow OWN. Some I met in Australia with Oprah, some I have met through their blogs and of course twitter. All have been touched in some way by Oprah. One of the friends of Oprah has a blog here. Please follow. She has great things to say. Her name is Lia and you can follow her blog @ OWNViewers. You can also follow her on Twitter. https://twitter.com/#!/OWNViewers  As I always say, everyone has a story. I like Lia’s story.  

So if you are not sure what is on OWN and what time. You can go to http://ownca.oprah.com/Home.aspx and find out what is on and when. It really is simple. Help us grow OWN one viewer at a time. It is television worth watching, truthfully.  If you missed Oprah’s Next Chapter last week. You really should check out the clips on www.Oprah.com. Steven Tyler was amazing. January 8-2012 Is Joel Osteen he is a spiritual leader. I’m looking forward to that.

As I say goodbye to 2011 and hello to 2012 I decided that I would update my blog. It seems fitting as it is a New Year. All of my previous comments have been about my trip to Australia with Oprah and Friends. I thought it was time I shared more. WARNING: there will be Oprah content. That’s just the way it is.

2011 was an awesome year. I am however looking forward to all that awaits me in 2012. I am sure you have heard that the world is suppose to end on December 21, 2012. Apparently it is based on ancient Myan prediction. No disrespect to the Myan’s but I am not buying into that. If your at interested please read this article on the National Geographic site. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/11/091106-2012-end-of-world-myths.html As for me, I am just going to keep on keeping on. Living life and blocking out the clutter.

I find it quite overwhelming the number of things I want to accomplish in the new year. I wonder why I do that. Make a list at the beginning of the year and try to get it all done in record time. I wonder why my brain doesn’t realize I could make this list on any day in any month. First things first, my vision board needs updating. I love a vision board. I love removing the things I have accomplished. All the blessing I have received and all of the things I have learned. I am a true believer in vision boards. In 2009 I had a vision board with me having tea with Oprah. Well we all know what happened there. So it is true that what you put out there is what you get back. So If your dreaming of something you want in your life, have faith to know you will receive it. You just have to believe.

Wishing you all a New Year filled with many blessings. Start your vision boards today……