Oprah Winfrey (b. 1954)

Quotes

• I've come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that's as unique as a fingerprint - and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.

• The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but significance - and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning.

• The whole point of being alive is to evolve into the complete person you were intended to be.

• I believe the choice to be excellent begins with aligning your thoughts and words with the intention to require more from yourself.

• Every time you state what you want or believe, you're the first to hear it. It's a message to both you and others about what you think is possible. Don't put a ceiling on yourself.

• I believe that one of life's greatest risks is never daring to risk.

• Do the one thing you think you cannot do. Fail at it. Try again. Do better the second time. The only people who never tumble are those who never mount the high wire. This is your moment. Own it.

• Getting my lifelong weight struggle under control has come from a process of treating myself as well as I treat others in every way.

• Forgiveness is letting go of the hope that the past can be changed.

• There's no easy way out. If there were, I would have bought it. And believe me, it would be one of my favorite things!

• I think that when you invite people to your home, you invite them to yourself.

• Everyone in the world is constantly fighting an internal battle. A battle between what the brain knows is right and what the heart knows it wants.

• Often we don't even realize who we're meant to be because we're so busy trying to live out someone else's ideas. But other people and their opinions hold no power in defining our destiny.

• The world has so many lessons to teach you. I consider the world, our earth, to be like a school, and our life, the classrooms. Sometimes on our planet life school, the lessons often come dressed up as detours and road blocks and sometimes as full blown crises. And the secret I've learned to getting ahead is being open to the lessons.

• Walk through life eager and open to self-improvement and that which is going to best help you evolve, because that's really why were here: to evolve as human beings.

• You really haven't changed, you've just become more of yourself. That is really what were all trying to do: become more of ourselves.

• Inner wisdom is more important than wealth. The more you spend it, the more you gain.

• When you're doing the work you're meant to do, it feels right and every day is a bonus, regardless of what you're getting paid.

• Feelings are really your GPS system for life. When your supposed to do something, or not supposed to do something, your emotional guidance system lets you know.

• Check your ego at the door and check your gut instead. Every right decision I have ever made has come from my gut. Every wrong decision I've made was the result of me not listening to the greater voice of myself