Oprah's Life You Want Notes +Takeaways

Oprah and her posse took over Atlanta (aka Olanta) last weekend for the Life You Want Weekend.  I’m still all in my feeling after attending Oprah’s Life You Want Weekend.  I just want to hug everybody, well not everybody but you know the feeling.   With work and mommy duties, I wasn't able to attend the kickoff events that Friday.  I got my butt up super early Saturday morning to make my way to hang with Oprah for the day.   I’m not going to go into crazy details about the event other than it was AMAZING.  But I do want to share my some of my “Aha!”  moments with you.  

Oprah hit the stage very chill. She was wearing jeans and a sweater with some flat sandals. Even though we were in a packed out arena, she made you feel like you were in a small group. She moved around the stage and the floor talking to guests and checking out what they were writing in the workbooks they handed out.  Oprah brought her trailblazer team with her to Atlanta. The team included Deepak Chopra, Elizabeth Gilbert, Rob Bell and Iyanla Vanzant.

Deepak Chopra, who specializes in mind-body medicine, had us do a meditation exercise and talked about happy people.

· Happiness is the goal of all other goals
· Happy people see opportunities where others see problems
· Happy people have purpose and meaning in their life.
· Happy people know that that fastest way to make you happy is to make someone else happy.
· We can express happiness by listening, caring, gratitude and being accepting. 

This sounds crazy, but when you realize that other people can't make you happy, you are on your way to be happy.  Yes, Peyton makes me happy, but that's because I like to see her happy, which makes me feel happy.  Get it?!

My tweet on the big screen! 

Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of Eat Pray Love, may have resonated with me the most. She spoke about a hero’s journey. She shared her story about her journey to getting the to the life she wanted. 

 
· The journey is not easy.
· Instead of beginning the journey, we stay put until it’s even more scarier to stay put.
· Once you cross the threshold, you can’t go back
· You will have your “belly of the whale” moments.
· Keep fighting, don’t stop!
· Even if you can’t start your journey today, you can plan it.
· Become the hero in your own journey.

Elizabeth’s portion may have resonated with me the most. It’s scary to think about leaving a job, a relationship or situation that is bringing you down. We have to be our own hero and take the journey. Most of us ladies have kids, bills, and family to think about so we stay put. What good are you doing anybody if you are not happy and on the verge of a breakdown? If you can’t start the journey now plan. Start saving, networking, selling stuff, downsizing, working a 2nd job, what ever you have to do to plan your journey. You may have to stay up late and get up early, but it will be worth it!

Then, sister girl Iyanla Vanzant hit the stage. Sometimes Iyanla can be a little to in your face for me but she always keeps it one hundred! Iyanla had a powerful message about getting the life you want.

· Tell the truth about yourself to yourself (BOOM!)
· The life you want is on the other side of the labor pains it takes to birth it.
· Life doesn't play tricks on you, your mind does.
· Never underestimate the ruthlessness of your ego.
· Do not give negative thoughts any time.
· You don’t forgive because you want to prove to yourself that you were right.

Whew….that was deep! Before I moved to Atlanta, I was blaming everyone else for my situations and why I wasn't moving in the direction I wanted to go. All my thoughts were negative. All of them! I figured I was always going to be broke, overweight and in horrible relationships. Like Elizabeth Gilbert said in her presentation, it got so bad that it was almost scarier to stay. God had another plan for me. I had to get my mind right.  Then I ended up in Atlanta. *Praise Break *

In addition to the powerful speakers, Oprah came out to do some workbook exercises with us. The first exercise was to close your eyes. Pictures someone you love and write down what you wish for them. I filled the box up with all the wonderful things that I want for Peyton. Oprah told us to look at the list after we were done and that what we wanted for our beloved was what we really wanted for ourselves. So true!

The second exercise was how you see you life. We made a pie chart breaking up different areas of our lives. Family, friends, work, hobbies, spirituality, finances, health and more could make up the circle. Once we completed the circle, you would rate each section with a smiley face, so-so face and a sad face. It was great to visualize the areas you want to work on and what you would like to see in circle. You guys should try it at home.

The last exercise was about choosing your language. I never though about how powerful word can be. I realize now that most of the stuff that we say negative about ourselves is what we made up. No one ever told me I was fat, ugly, lazy, I didn't matter, no one cared or would never be anything. We tell ourselves these lies. We have to change what we say. Iyanla said even walking around saying “I’m a single mom…” is a negative. Why do we make that sound so negative, like something is wrong with you because you are a raising your child without their father? You sound like you have been defeated. Not to say it’s easy to raise a child alone but you are on a new journey now and you can't let that hold you back. Try to phrase it differently… “My child’s father is unavailable, how can I help you”. Just think of a different way to say it because you are more than a single mom.

I know I said I would be brief but there is just so much goodness from Oprah's Life You Want Weekend.  We can all have the life want.  Follow your passions, make a plan and eliminate the negative thoughts.  If you don't know what your passion is, the trailblazers suggested following your curiosities.  Oprah's trailblazers also suggested to focus on one area at a time so you don't get overwhelmed.  One of my many goals is to improve my relationship with God, so that is was I'm going to focus on right now.  If Oprah is headed to a city near you I suggest you grab a ticket!  Even if you have to get nose bleed seats, it's so worth it.  Search the hashtag #LifeYouWantTour and follow @LifeYouWantTour for ticket giveaways.  Click HERE for more info on the Life You Want Tour.  Are you living the life you want?  You can do it!