“As far back as I can recall, my prayer has been the same: ‘Use me. Show me how to take who I am, who I want to be, and what I can do, and use it for a purpose greater than myself.’ I truly believe that the reason for my success and everything I have is because I let myself be fueled by what my contribution to the world could be. When you shift your focus from success to service, your work will instantly have more meaning. A grand gesture is not the only way to be of service. I’m talking about committing, every day, to a heartfelt, compassionate approach to life. Ask yourself: How will I use my gifts and talents in service to myself, my family, my community, and the world? And then start living from that intention. Shift your whole life’s paradigm to service, and you will reap success.” —Oprah
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On Tuesday, September 13, Oprah Daily’s editor at large, Gayle King, sat down with Chef Chris Williams, the co-owner and cofounder of Lucille’s, a Houston restaurant created in tribute to his great-grandmother Lucille B. Smith.
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Oprah, Van Jones, and Rebecca Welsh had an eye-opening discussion on how seemingly simple acts of service can have a huge impact not only within the communities you are serving but also for your own emotional well-being. They gave advice on how to get started giving back (it’s the top question they each get), including suggesting everyday acts anyone can do, how to weave service into the fabric of family life, and more.
Jones is an attorney, an author, and a political commentator widely known for his CNN show, The Van Jones Show. Welsh is the founder of The HALO Foundation, which provides shelter and educational opportunities such as scholarships to homeless youth. They were joined by a select group of Oprah Daily Insiders in their discussion.
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YOU’RE INVITED!
Oprah's The Life You Want™ Daily Inspiration Cards
Oprah's The Life You Want™ Love and Happiness Journal
Oprah's The Life You Want™ Love and Happiness Journal
In “The Life You Want” Classes, Oprah answers questions from the chat and from a select group of Oprah Daily Insiders (yes, you could be one of them!) chosen to participate in the conversation. How can you join Oprah on-screen in an upcoming event? Insiders, keep an eye out for an email inviting you to apply before each class.
You can incorporate the lessons from each class into your everyday life with the help of our new limited edition Daily Inspiration Cards and Love and Happiness Journal. Our Daily Inspiration Cards include things like Oprah’s favorite breathing exercises and quotes, so you can begin each day guided by her wisdom. Our Love and Happiness Journal will help you develop an even stronger connection in not only your platonic and familial relationships but arguably the most important one of all, your relationship with yourself.
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Admission to each “The Life You Want” Class—and all Oprah Daily live events—is free for Oprah Daily Insiders. Not a member yet? Join below!
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BOOKS YOU’LL WANT
Dive deeper into “The Life You Want” Classes by shopping our reading list. During our August class, Oprah and Brooks discussed finding happiness and purpose as we grow older. You'll want to pick up a copy of his book From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life.
In July, Oprah and Nedra Glover Tawwab discussed her book Set Boundaries, Find Peace: a Guide to Reclaiming Yourself. It provides a comprehensive look at how to stay true to yourself and focus on what is most important to you.
In May, Oprah and Jamie Kern Lima discussed her book, Believe IT: How to Go from Underestimated to Unstoppable, in which she shares how she evolved from humble beginnings to growing IT Cosmetics into a thriving brand. Oprah also referred to The Road Less Traveled, by M. Scott Peck, which opens with the idea that life is challenging. “We’ve all gone through hard things. Why? Because life is difficult. And when we do, we have to ask ourselves, What was I supposed to learn from that?” Oprah said.
In April, Oprah and Mark Nepo explored themes from his work titled The Book of Awakening. He also discussed how being creative can help boost your authenticity and presence in the moment.
In March, Oprah, Dr. Anita Phillips, and Claudia Rankine explored many of the themes discussed in Rankine’s work Just Us: An American Conversation. In the book, Rankine uses a range of essays, poems, and images to help us connect deeply and converse on topics that are often divisive, including white privilege.
In February, Oprah and Frank Bruni discussed the theme of vulnerability and how it relates to Bruni’s powerful memoir, The Beauty of Dusk: On Vision Lost and Found. Bruni recounts the medical and spiritual odyssey he embarked on following a stroke that left him blind in one eye and threatened to take away his sight entirely.
Back in January, Oprah and Martha Beck took a deeper look at the themes and topics covered in Martha’s book The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self. This suggested reading can help you dig deeper into those themes and better equip you to achieve your goals for this year and beyond.
Shop "The Life You Want Class" Reading List
From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life
The Book of Awakening: Having the Life You Want by Being Present to the Life You Have (20th Anniversary Edition)
The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self
Get Our “Live Your Best Life” Drinkware
Feel inspired with every sip! Keep your favorite beverages hot or cold in a beautiful travel mug that comes with an extra serving of empowerment from Oprah Daily. Oprah chose these four Corkcicle drinkware styles as the perfect vessels to remind you to “Live Your Best Life Every Day” whenever you enjoy your daily cup of coffee, favorite herbal tea, or any other drink your heart desires.
PAST “THE LIFE YOU WANT” EVENTS
Renewal
Oprah was joined by Arthur Brooks, a bestselling author, social scientist, Harvard professor, and happiness correspondent for The Atlantic. Brooks is the author of From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life, which reveals how the second half of your life can be a stage of exciting growth and power. They had a moving conversation on themes prioritizing meaningful relationships in all forms, discovering your purpose, and the importance of love.
Forgiveness
Oprah was joined by Nedra Glover Tawwab, therapist and author of Set Boundaries, Find Peace: a Guide to Reclaiming Yourself, which is a New York Times bestseller. They engaged in an enlightening conversation on understanding forgiveness, learning how to remove oneself from toxic cycles of forgiveness, and how parents can lay the groundwork for educating their children on these skills.
Compassion and Empathy
Oprah was joined by Jeff Weiner, the executive chairman of LinkedIn, who shared how to practice empathy and compassion in life and career, what sets these two emotions apart, and his work with The Compassion Project. Oprah Daily Insiders joined their discussion and asked questions using examples from their personal lives.
Resilience
Oprah was joined by Jamie Kern Lima, the founder of IT Cosmetics and author of Believe IT: How to Go from Underestimated to Unstoppable, who shared insights on staying resilient in the face of rejection while chasing your dreams, and how "no" shouldn't throw you off course if you're living authentically. Oprah Daily Insiders joined their conversation, and shared some of their individual experiences.
Being Fully Present
Oprah was joined by Mark Nepo, who discussed how living in the moment can bring you peace, as well as how creativity can help you live a more authentic life. A group of Oprah Daily Insiders joined their thought-provoking conversation and opened up about their experiences living as their true selves, their foundational stories, and more.
The Value of Connection
Oprah was joined by Dr. Anita Phillips and Claudia Rankine, who discussed how to open your heart space and build stronger bonds. A group of Oprah Daily Insiders joined their enlightening conversation, in which they shared details from their personal experiences.
The Importance of Vulnerability
Oprah was joined by Frank Bruni to discuss vulnerability and other themes covered in The Beauty of Dusk: On Vision Lost and Found. Oprah Daily Insiders joined their conversation, where they shared about what happens when you truly make yourself vulnerable and the power this emotion holds in our relationships.
The Power of Integrity
Oprah was joined by Martha Beck and surprise guest Maria Shriver in our second “The Life You Want” class. A group of Oprah Daily Insiders joined the powerful conversation, in which they and viewers were guided through exercises to help understand what it means to live a life that honors your true self.
Getting Started
For our first “The Life You Want” Class, Oprah was joined by Oprah Daily Insiders as they charted a course for the series and the year ahead while working toward intentions together.
Vision Boarding
Gayle King, Adam Glassman, and Gabby Bernstein were joined by special guest Drew Barrymore and Oprah Daily Insiders as they created vision boards for 2022.
