Me and Oprah Winfrey

As the Oprah Winfrey show fades to black, I thought I'd share this poem I wrote about a year after college when I was living in London (1997).
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Me and Oprah Winfrey

Ever since Princess Diana and Mother Theresa passed from hope into glory it's been just me and Oprah Winfrey out here saving the world. Oprah said to me, "Let's fight for the rights of impoverished children." And we did. Oprah said, "Let's encourage the spread of volunteerism." And we did. Oprah said, "Let's celebrate wonderful people the world over." And, of course, we did. When I turned in the sand to see the footprints behind, I noticed that when Jesus wasn't carrying me, Oprah was.

Today, I am grateful for these five:

1) I am grateful for the opportunity to love God.
2) I am grateful for the privilege of loving others.
3) I am grateful for the joy of loving myself.
4) I am grateful for the responsibility of loving the earth.
5) I am grateful for the love that has been given me.

I keep this gratitude journal everyday, just like Oprah said to. And each month I drive to the bookstore to buy the latest release from Oprah's book club. It isn't so much that I worship Oprah, as that I worship with Oprah.

These five lessons, I pass on:

1) If you give generously, you will be blessed generously.
2) If you love yourself, you will be beautiful.
3) If you invest in children, you will bear much fruit.
4) If you sacrifice happiness, you will discover wisdom.
5) If you love your neighbor as yourself, you will experience God.
pass it on, pass it on, pass it on…

I could never be the Princess of Wales and I could never be the Saint of India. I could never be a talk show host. Oprah is the talk show host, I am the audience. The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come! Take the free gift of the water of life." Oprah and I say, "Drink only what you need, and save a little water for the ones who come after."

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