Picture from Stanford 2008 Commencement video.
Feelings, failure and finding happiness…that was the topic of Oprah Winfrey’s 2008 Commencement Address at Stanford. Not surprisingly, the talk was both entertaining and inspiring…I heartily recommend either watching the video or reading the transcript. The speech resonated with me because she makes the Cheerful Monk motto come to life:
Stay curious and open to life. No matter what happens, keep learning and growing. Find what you love to do and find a way to share it with others.
Feelings As Our Inner GPS
Oprah first talked about feelings…our inner guidance system, our GPS. She told how when she first started out in broadcasting she tried to emulate Barbara Walters, but it didn’t feel right. It wasn’t until she was fired as co-anchor of the 6 o’clock news and placed on a talk show that her mission in life clicked…she felt at home…this was what she was meant to do.
What do we do when we don’t know what our mission is? …”get still, get very still, until you do know what to do.” That’s not intuitive advice for someone raised in our fast-paced, action-oriented society, but it’s powerful and effective. It reminds me of my favorite time-management book: How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life by Alan Lakein. It was written 25 years ago and its basic advice still rings true: keep asking yourself, “What’s the best use of my time right now?” If that question doesn’t connect you with your inner drive, then you need to figure out what you really care about in life. You need to connect with your passion. I agree with Oprah and Lakein, goals are fine, but only when we’re tuned into our inner motivation. Once we’ve done that, we don’t have to force ourself to work. As Oprah puts it, “So…forget about the fast lane. If you really want to fly, just harness your power to your passion. Honor your calling. Everybody has one. Trust your heart and success will come to you.”
Dealing With Failure, Finding Happiness
The other two points she talked about, dealing with failure and finding happiness, involve learning from your mistakes and using your gifts to give service to others. Again, she uses examples from her own life…the problems encountered pursuing her dream of teaching girls to be leaders…as well as from the lives of Jane and Leland Stanford. Stanford’s official name is Leland Stanford Junior University. Jane and Leland Stanford founded the university in memory of their only child, who died of typhoid at the age of 15. They didn’t let their grief cut them off from life. Instead they used it as motivation to reach out and help others. And that, for Oprah, is the secret of dealing with setbacks, disappointments and grief…and it’s the secret of happiness: “Don’t live for yourself alone….To be happy, you have to give something back.”
I clearly agree with Oprah. I believe what she’s saying is age-old wisdom, well-tested by time. I also believe it never hurts to hear it again. And I believe it’s especially powerful when we not only hear the words but hear the stories of people, famous and not-so-famous, who have lived those principles.
What about you? What stories do you have to share? Please tell us in the comments section.
Very inspiring speech. Thanks for highlighting it.
Shamelle
Jean ~
I enjoyed this article. I will always remember these words, “Don’t live for yourself alone….To be happy, you have to give something back.”
You’re the best Jean…
Shamelle and Shilpan,
🙂 I’m glad you liked it, too.
Shilpan,
I really appreciate your encouragement. It means a lot to me.
Hi Jean, thank you the link back to my site.
I am pretty much in agreement with having the need to tune in to inner Self. When we set goals that are not in alignment, our actions become mis-guided and we may well end up feeling as if something is still missing.
Thanks for sharing this great piece of article,
Evelyn
Evelyn,
🙂 Thank you for coming by.
This is so true, I think we can go off path when we are not following what we know and feel is right for us.
I was so inspired by this speech of Oprahs’ too. I would have loved to hear that at 18:)
I just found your blog by a comment you left at Patricia’s
I have added you as a friend in PDP
Suzie,
🙂 Thanks for coming by and commenting.
Do you think the grads will follow her advice? I know when I graduated I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do, but I did know I was looking for something that I could immerse myself in. One reason I married my husband was he enjoyed what he was doing. I knew I wanted that for myself, and that I couldn’t marry someone who didn’t value that, too. I kept looking until I found it.
Suzie,
PS Thanks for adding me as a friend.
Jean,
I loved the list! And I intend to share it! It’s so well put!
Quite inspirational and solid advice… all of it! Getting in line with your passion that’s just perfect.
G
Diane,
I’m glad you liked it. It sounds as if you don’t have a problem aligning with your passions. 🙂
oprah has inspired whole generations of people hasn’t she?
but your motto is an inspiration as well.
alas, and i’m not complaining here… not sure how i feel about it… but i have no passion for a particular thing.
i do for animals. and i help them as much as i can, both actively and monetarily, but as to a true passion that pulls me to action… i just don’t. i am so content.
actually i’m so content, i don’t even feel i’m in a rut! though maybe i am. a rut of contentment! lol.
i think perhaps i’m finally floating. there were years of struggle constantly… loss and struggle. it’s like now, i’m resting on a little green leaf enjoying the parade.