Legacy
I’m not an Oprah child by any means. As a kid, I watched her show maybe once every few weeks but was honestly more immersed in dweeby stuff like spelling bees and beanie babies to care about such weighty topics like self-empowerment.
However take one look at Oprah and even the biggest of cynics cannot deny her far-reaching influence. Her fan club borders on cultish- an empire of people hanging to her every word, a vast following of people who credit her for saving lives and empowering a generation of do-gooders. Her big heart envelopes the world. She’s raised a fortune for charity, established a foundation that is used as a marker for philanthropy, and sent over 60,000 children to school. It’s awe-inspiring, to say the least.
(Plus, anyone who can be recognized without a last name leaves a pretty solid impression in and of itself. That’s why if I ever have a child, I’m giving the puppet a one-of-a-kind name.)
As I stand at a turning point in my life, unsure whether to zig or zag, Oprah shines as a guide with all the resounding luminescence of her megastardom. I’m not set on becoming the next Oprah. Nor am I claiming that Oprah has altered the course of my life. But the course of HER life is certainly an example to live by. I’m not necessarily referring to her philanthropic pursuits or her standing as the most influential woman-ahem, PERSON- in the world, though those feats are outstanding. What’s most impressive about Oprah is her very fundamental ability to connect. It’s so simple that it’s magical. Regardless of race, socioeconomic background, or gender, she’s able to reach you, whether it’s by making you cry, leap for joy, or donate money to causes.
Connection is a quality one may or may not be born with, but regardless, I aspire to it. Oprah is a living example of connection manifested. The legacy she leaves is one in a billion. I can only hope to possess a string of Oprah’s web of influence one day. Until then, I’m still framing my future. But the haze is beginning to clear. More than any material success, I want to leave a legacy, however small it may be. To know that I’ve made even just a few lives substantially better is enough of an accomplishment for me to report back to God (and yes, Oprah) about in the afterlife.
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