The last part of my book review, The Wisdom on Sundays by Oprah Winfrey, comes from her sections on Broken Open, Fulfillment, and Love and Connection.
Broken Open is about when challenges arise that you break open, analyze the situation and make changes to overcome whatever obstacles you are facing.
“In order to be who you are you must be willing to let go of who you think you are.” – Michael Singer
When challenges arise ask empowering questions. Michael Bernard Beckwith says “Start asking empowering questions like What is my purpose? What is my gift to share? What am I trying to emerge in my life? Not just questions How am I going to pay my rent? How can I stop the pain? What’s wrong? Who’s to blame? Why me? Those are disempowering questions…So it is about the question, the sincerity of the question, and then the ability and willingness to really listen, to really be available…Once you ask with sincerity, the Universe will answer. That’s the way it operates. And out way is love, kindness, compassion and service.”
Iyanla Vanzant states that there are four primal fears.
- The fear of losing someone’s love or having your love rejected.
- The fear of being powerless or helpless (unsafe).
- The fear of losing control.
- The fear of not being seen as valuable, worthy, necessary.
“Anger is really the manifestation of one of the fears. We stay in anger because it gives us control, because we are afraid to go into the hurt. Because right beneath the hurt is love…Drop into the hurt.”
Fulfillment is living a life that makes you feel alive, complete and fills your heart with joy. Below are some of the inspirational quotes from this section.
“The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but on service…Making that shift from self to service will bring an immeasurable amount of fulfillment to your job, your relationships, and the vision you have of your own best life.” – Oprah Winfrey
“I believe you are not given a dream unless you have the capacity to fulfill it. You won’t be allowed to have it.” – Jack Canfield
“The reason for which we are created is to grow every day to more resemble, reflect, and reveal the character of the one who created us.” – Pastor Wintley Phipps
Shawn Achor states “Intelligence counts for only 25 percent of our job success….75 percent is how we process the world. It’s our optimism. Like the belief that our behavior really matters.”
Love and Connection gives insight to how we can connect better. Harvard brain scientist Dr. Taylor experienced a terrible stroke and said “There are two types of people in the world. “Those who bring energy, and those who drain it away.” Which one are you?
“Please take responsibility for the energy you bring into this space.” – Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor
I believe three of the most important words anyone can say are not I love you, but I hear you.” – Oprah Winfrey
“…Only 10 percent of our long-term happiness are based upon the external world. Ninety percent of our long-term happiness is how the brain processes the world we find ourselves in.” – Shawn Achor
Oprah ends her book with this last quote which I love.
“Why are you here? That’s the ultimate question that you get with every action, thought, and feeling. There is a calling on your life. What will be your answer?” – Oprah Winfrey
I look at this quote as a new beginning because when you can answer this question “Why are you here?” and you follow that answer, then you will live the life that you came here to live!
