Finally, the moment came for me to see a woman, an influencer, a light to the world who is doing what God has called her to do. Oprah Winfrey allows her faith to truly guide her into who she is and has gotten about her business of walking in her purpose.
When I stepped into the arena for Oprah's 2020 Vision: Life In Focus tour, there was an immediate energy that met me. It flowed stronger with every step closer to the stage. Every single person in that space was on one accord. We were all in a very grand moment, yet anticipating something grander in the next. Over 12,000 people of all ages, all races and all backgrounds were dancing, singing, jumping and screaming like mature teenagers. I thought, only Oprah could create this type of togetherness. When the energy hit me, I had no choice but to fall right in line with the teen (or want-to-be teen) on either side of me.
Video of me entering the arena
When Oprah graced the stage the energy electrified and I could feel my heart race a little. Captivation set in and all eyes were glued to her. Then, she spoke. "Helloooooo Atlanta" and down memory lane we went. It wasn't long before everyone was embraced with the warmest sense of welcome.
Oprah's first responsibility was to ensure we truly understood her intentions for this nationwide tour. It’s 2020! It is time to have your vision in focus and to live up to all the dreams you’ve made for yourself. To do this, you must be well. By your own definition of wellness, Oprah's desire is for you to be well in your mind, body and spirit. "Wellness for me" Oprah says, "is simply all things in balance. We long for a life without constraint, free from conflict, fear, or judgement --where our health, relationships, career, and finances coexist in perfect flow with our spiritual center. This is the highest form of well-being".
Video clip of Oprah's first moments on stage
Oprah didn't waste time, she immediately started sprinkling our spirits with thought provoking What I Know For Sure moments in the form of short stories from personal life lessons. Here are some statements that resonated with me:
1. I don't do anything I don't want to do.
2. Stress is wanting the moment to be something that it is not. Just accept the moment and move on.
3. Have radical acceptance of who you are.
4. Line up your personality to serve your soul.
5. You do not get what you want in life, you get what you intend. Intention drives everything.
6. People can only do what they have the capacity to do. Why are you expecting more?
7. I've earned the right to be just as I am.
8. Most of us are still hurting about what we didn't get growing up. You are grown. Give it to yourself.
Honestly, I felt like Oprah was talking directly to me. So, when she introduced Tamela Mann to perform my favorite gospel song, "Take Me To The King", I just knew she had planned the Atlanta tour with me in mind. I was special. When Tamela started to sing, it was as if everyone had left the building except Oprah, Tamala and I. The moment was special.
Video of Tamela celebrating Oprah's upcoming birthday
The song ended and everyone else re-entered the room (in my mind). I looked around to catch glimpses of faces. Next to me, my girlfriend displayed smiles bursting through tears. It was at that moment when I realized I wasn't so special after all. Most people would have special moments like this throughout the day.
Us having fun and talking about our initial experience
Next, it was time to get to work on ourselves. Among other things in our bags, we had a workbook filled with tools, like questionnaires and a commitment contract needed to help us get on the road to being well. Oprah transformed into the teacher she'd plan to be before she answered her calling. Ms. Winfrey walked around the arena asking questions, reading from our workbooks and choosing people to read off their answers. At one point, she pointed to one of her students and said, "What did you write down?" The student honestly replied, "Oprah, I didn't write any yet, please don't be mad at me." Immediately, the arena was filled with laughter. Then Ms. Winfrey yelled, "Detention!". It was a comedic moment.
After our workbook session, we moved on to wellness in the mind with Jesse Isreal's The Big Quiet. The Big Quiet is a mass meditation movement that gathers thousands of people for large-scale moments of quiet, connection and unplugged performances . If I had not been there, I would not have believed that over 12,000 people could quiet a room soft enough to hear a pen drop. The atmosphere was calmed enough to "feel the skin of my feet against my shoes" and to "acknowledge the breath flowing through my nostrils". The Big Quiet, reiterated the importance of meditation and centering yourself with the gift of stillness in the busy world around us. We deserve it!
Here is a video clip defining The Big Quiet
After lunch, there was a little free time for us to have some fun. The teenagers came out again. Here is a funny clip of a lady (on the big screen) getting her dance on.
Julianne Hough, the Emmy Award winning choreographer and creator of KINRGY, a dance based fitness program was up next. Oprah said it was time for us to move around those sandwiches and salads we'd just eaten up. We spent a good amount of time moving our bodies to a dance workout. We accepted the fact that movement is a must. Just embrace it.
Oprah often says education can truly set you free. In 2011, she was celebrated for giving over 64,000 young adults a chance at their dreams by paying for their education. The only thing she asked of those students was to pay it forward. Many of the students who received scholarships were "Morehouse Men" from Morehouse College, a private, historically black men's college located in Atlanta, Georgia. Take a look at this emotional celebratory clip back in 2011 and learn how many of the Morehouse Men are paying it forward.
Oprah learned during this Atlanta tour, that one of the Morehouse Men was part of the KINRGY team. So, she surprised him by inviting him up on stage. Hear this heartfelt thank you in the next clip.
One of Oprah's Morehouse Men surprised on stage
Mr. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was up next. The interview opened with Oprah thanking him for being there, especially after his father had passed only a few days before. It meant a lot to her that he was fully present for the interview. This opened the conversation to the importance of family and some of his biggest life-learned lessons. Through intimate stories he shared many life-changing moments.
Here is the link to the entire interview with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
Mr. Johnson wrapped the interview with a surprise birthday gift for Oprah. He gave her the very first bottle of Tequila made from his company Seven Bucks Productions. His Teremana Tequila brand is not sold on the market yet, but is set to hit the market in the first quarter of 2020. Oprah responded by doing what she always does. In the last few minutes of the interview, she gave the love right back by toasting to celebrate The Rock's father's life. Between each performance, Oprah continued serve up wisdom just for us. Here are a few more nuggets to ponder:
1. Only you can be in control of your wellness.
2. The moment you pick up your cell in the morning, you are controlled by what is on it. Set some boundaries for when you are and when you are not going to respond.
3. Take some time to clarify what your heart, not your head, truly desires.
4. If you are always surrounded by mess, look no further than the mess you give.
5. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
As the day came to an end, Oprah got deeply personal about her last moments with her mother. She talked about the lack of love received from her mother and the lack of a mother-daughter relationship. Through much prayer, she was able to finally find peace and gratitude. In those last days, her mom was actually able to see her, for the first time, for more than just a money bank. Before her mother left this earth, Oprah was able to be a daughter for one moment by finding the perfect way to comfort her mother. This gave her mother the peace and permission she needed to go home --Oprah found peace. Even though her mother never wanted Oprah as a child, Oprah reached even deeper to find gratitude in knowing that her mother didn't give her away. It was quiet in the arena, but this time it wasn't because of The Big Quiet. Oprah paused to hold back the tears. I couldn't help but shout out loud, "We love you, Oprah". Somehow, I wanted her to know this personally from me. After gathering herself, Oprah was careful to teach us that you can find peace and gratitude in anything. Don't dwell on what you don't have. "You are adults." she says, "Give yourself what you did not get growing up.
This is how Oprah wrapped the event on stage
I am so thankful to have attended this life-changing event on wellness in the mind, body and spirit. Oprah's 2020 Vision: Life In Focus tour was everything that matters to me.
It was love.
It was inspiration.
It was empowerment.
It was wisdom.
It was purpose.
Mostly, it was well.
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