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Marianne Williamson Talks To Oprah!:Super Soul Sunday On OWN
Today at 11 AM, Oprah will be sitting down today at with Marianne Williamson, a spiritual activist and author. We all are very familiar with Marianne’s poem (below) which is an excerpt from her book, “A Return To Love”. I first heard this passage when it was quoted by Keke Palmer in the movie “Akeelah and the Bee”. I did not know who wrote it; all I knew was that I was captivated by the meaning. KeKe’s recitation of these powerful words was uplifting and inspiring. I wanted to learn them too!
And then again this “quote” would pop up again and again on social networks (with the author credited) and in movies but I still would not really think to learn more about the author until now. I had just assumed that she was a black woman and had no idea that the poem was a passage from a book she had written. Such a powerful passage from an obviously very wise and self aware woman. I would like to learn more about her so I’m definitely tuning in- let me know if you do too! 
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
So that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us, it is in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.
- Marianne Williamson.
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Wednesday Wisdom: Viola Davis On Low Self Esteem + Appreciating Life|Oprah’s Oscar Special
I came across this segment of Oprah’s Oscar Special featuring Viola Davis on Tumblr and am extremely glad I did. I connected with and felt moved by everything Viola had to say- she is just so beautifully genuine. Viola once struggled with low self esteem-such that anyone at any point could come into her life and take away what confidence she had. I’m sure alot of young women can relate- whether you have gone through it in the past or are still trying to gain your confidence .Through the passing of her father, Viola realized how short life is -that one should appreciate every moment they have. The reality of losing her father changed her whole point of view. Viola shared some very essential lessons that she’s learned through her experiences. I could especially relate to these revelations and this very raw interview brought me to tears. This wonderful woman is definitely on my list of people to meet-so inspiring.
Here they are:
- You don’t have time to stay up all night worrying about what someone who doesn’t love you has to say about you.
- You serve such a great purpose in this world to the people who do love you and in whose life you make a difference!
- Stop devaluing the people in your life who care for you while worrying about those who don’t!
- Just like India Arie says in her song “Little Things” (video here), The little things are really what matters most. Notice & appreciate what you do have.
-Kay
(Source: forbrowngirls)
Freida Pinto’s Aha! Moment: Freida Pinto Talks About India’s ‘Fair Skin’ Obsession
“I’m from a culturally rich and diverse nation, India. We speak many languages and have unimaginable variety in our traditional cuisine. People in the north look completely different from those in the south—sometimes it’s hard to believe we all come from the same country. But there is one disturbing notion prevalent throughout India: that light skin is more attractive than dark. And as someone who has what Indians call a dusky complexion, I used to think there might be truth to that. When you doubt one thing about yourself, you start thinking there’s also something wrong with your hair, your body, your clothes, your accent—everything.A few years ago, my modeling agency asked me to audition for skin-lightening commercials. I knew those products were wrong, so I’d show up with a burden in my heart, thinking, “I can’t believe I’m doing this.” Those commercials sent out a message that if your skin is lighter, you are more acceptable to society. The strangest part was that the people creating these negative images were some of the most attractive dark-skinned people I have seen. They always rejected me for the ads, and I’m glad they did.
Before my first movie, Slumdog Millionaire, I hadn’t traveled outside Southeast Asia. But while promoting the film, I went on a world tour and interacted with people of many different ethnicities. One day I was checking in at my Los Angeles hotel and a woman who was as pale as pale can be said to me, “I’d love to have your skin color. It’s so beautiful!” I thought, “What? Where I come from people want to be your color, lady.” I wish all Indian girls could have heard her say that.
Then something just clicked. I thought, “I’m going to stop thinking my complexion or accent isn’t good enough.” Then and there I decided to be happy with what I have.
In my travels, I’ve seen that self-doubt is not just an Indian problem. All people—African, European, American—worry about being different. But I’ve learned that the traits we’d rush to get rid of are the very ones that others desire. People always covet what they don’t have. That’s why we should look at ourselves every now and then and say, “I’m proud of myself. I like the way I’m made.”
- From the September 2010 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine
Read more: http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Freida-Pintos-Aha-Moment#ixzz1wzb3v770
(Source: forbrowngirls)
Wednesday Wisdom: If you were to write a letter to your younger self, what would you say? Here’s mine :)
Reading these two letters written by Oprah & Phylicia Rashad (<link)to their younger selves inspired me soo much and brought me to tears. I could especially relate to these two words of advice in particular:
- A lesson you will have to learn again and again: to see yourself with your own eyes, to love yourself from your own heart. -Oprah
- What’s in front of you is a whole world of experiences beyond your imagination. Put yourself, and your growth and development, first.- Phylicia
(Source: forbrowngirls)
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Oprah & India Arie
Love these women!
« Forget about the fast lane. If you really want to fly, just harness your power to your passion. »
The top 20 things our Brown Beauty of the Week, Oprah Winfrey, knows for sure!
1. What you put out comes back all the time, no matter what. (This is my creed.)
2. You define your own life. Don’t let other people write your script.
3. Whatever someone did to you in the past has no power over the present. Only you give it power.
4. When people show you who they are, believe them the first time. (A lesson from Maya Angelou.)
5. Worrying is wasted time. Use the same energy for doing something about whatever worries you.
6. What you believe has more power than what you dream or wish or hope for. You become what you believe.
7. If the only prayer you ever say is thank you, that will be enough. (From the German theologian and humanist Meister Eckhart.)
8. The happiness you feel is in direct proportion to the love you give.
9. Failure is a signpost to turn you in another direction.
10. If you make a choice that goes against what everyone else thinks, the world will not fall apart.
11. Trust your instincts. Intuition doesn’t lie.
12. Love yourself and then learn to extend that love to others in every encounter.
13. Let passion drive your profession.
14. Find a way to get paid for doing what you love. Then every paycheck will be a bonus.
15. Love doesn’t hurt. It feels really good.
16. Every day brings a chance to start over.
17. Being a mother is the hardest job on earth. Women everywhere must declare it so.
18. Doubt means don’t. Don’t move. Don’t answer. Don’t rush forward.
19. When you don’t know what to do, get still. The answer will come.
20. ”Trouble don’t last always.” (A line from a Negro spiritual, which calls to mind another favorite: This, too, shall pass.)
*my Mom shared this with me a few years ago before I started college. very helpful & reminds you you have a purpose, you can be what you want to be and to keep moving forward
-oprah.com http://www.oprah.com/spirit/The-Top-20-Things-Oprah-Knows-for-Sure
(Source: forbrowngirls)
“Rapper/songwriter/producer Shaun Boothe brings stories to life in his critically acclaimed biography series. From rags to riches, Boothe shows how Oprah has become one of the most powerful and influential women in the world. The video is entertaining, educational, and enlightening. It’s Hip Hop in 3D! ”-via TeenDiariesOnline.com http://www.teendiariesonline.com/blog/?p=23001
(Source: forbrowngirls)
