Celebrating Oprah’s Ah-Ha Moment to Practice the Art of Life Balance
First, I’m celebrating my new line of life balance products inspired by Oprah’s Best Life Series (coming soon to CreateaBalance.com).
Second, I’m celebrating Oprah’s choice to practice the art of life balance. Did you know that Oprah lost her sense of self in 2008 and has a strong desire to create a balance in 2009? On her 1/5/09 Best Life kickoff show she talked about life taking over, getting overwhelmed, and needing to create a balance in her life. She mentioned so many elements of practicing the art of life balance that we are already talking about on CreateaBalance.com (that will be another post).
For me, one key take away from the show was that money does not buy balance.
I highly recommend watching the 1/5/09 Oprah show if you have access to it. Otherwise, be sure to watch the 3 minute video where she tells the world she is hungry for balance. Minutes 1:15 – 2:19 were my favorite part of this Oprah clip (see the quote below)…
“When you see me gain weight, it is not about I’m pigging out, it is always about my life is out of balance.
Anyone who struggles with a weight issue – it is about what you’re really hungry for, it’s not about the food. It’s about using food, abusing food.
There was a time when I was so exhausted…Too much work. Not enough play. Not enough time to come down. Not enough time to really relax.
So it’s about balance, it’s about balance.
So when I ask myself what am I hungry for, I am hungry for balance. I am hungry for balance.
I’m hungry to do something other than work.”
~ Oprah
If you are an Oprah fan be sure to check out her Best Life Series and register to participate in her live online webcast events!
Celebrating New and Returning Members of this Community
As you know, every Friday I introduce and celebrate new members of the Create a Balance community. Please take a moment to welcome this week’s new members…..
- Welcome Arswino at Best Inspirational Quotes 4 U.
- Welcome Lisa at Travelin’ Local.
- Welcome back Nathalie at Billionaire Woman.
- Welcome Sara at SaraHealy.com.
- Welcome Bettina at BettinaSchwarz.RedBubble.com.
- Welcome Meg at Diet Help.
- Welcome Patrick McDowell at Healthy Life Journal.
- Welcome back Mindful Mimi at Mindful Mimi.
- Welcome Heather.
Celebrating My Gratitude Attitude
Here are my gratitude journal entries for the week.
- For watching Oprah’s Best Life kickoff show on 1/5 where she stressed the importance of creating a balance.
- For Tess sharing the amazing Transcending: Words on Women and Strength video with me.
- Spending last Saturday with my five year old son at the Chicagoland Lego Discovery Center.
- That my husband offered to clean the carpets during my son’s stomach flu extravaganza.
- That I am employed and appreciate my job.
- Making freshly squeezed organic lemonade and carrot juice with my children.
- Being able to afford to buy healthy food for my family.
As always, I welcome you to reflect on your week,
see the goodness in your life, and share what you
are grateful for in the comments section.
This is Your Moment to Celebrate!
Share your attitude of gratitude! Let us know how you are celebrating your life this week.
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[…] My regular Celebrate Your Life Friday series will continue next […]
My father wished to establish contact with some of his old friends with who he had lost contact. I had to go to great lengths and expense to locate them and put them in touch with him. That I was able to, was directly due to my extensive net work of friends and contacts. I am grateful that there are so many people in my life that I was able to seek their help and they readily helped me achieve my goal. The joy of my father was payment enough for my own efforts.
Incidentally, my latest post talks about a related matter. What a coincidence!
rummusers last blog post..Connections.
Hi Stacey. This is exciting! You’re starting 2009 off with a bang. Congrats on this upcoming launch. My curiosity is killing me.
Today I’m grateful for the rain. It’s washing the snow away.
Davinas last blog post..This Ebook Asks, “Will It Change You?”
I’m looking forward to what you have coming, too! Very exciting!
I’m grateful for willing and helpful people. We’re coordinating a big basketball tournament coming up in February, and it’s going to take many hands to make it happen. So far, the response from everyone has been extremely supportive! And for that, I’m very grateful!
Hi Stacey: I did see recently that Oprah had gained a lot of weight. It makes sense that it was due to her life getting out of balance. Best of luck with your new line of products!
Good luck with the new product line! I am having a lot of fun creating mine…great creative expression.
I’m always thankful for my health, friends and family – these all provide the foundation I need to succeed and feel balanced in my life. And on this snowy Sunday morning I’m thankful for the wood stove to keep us warm, and the breakfast my husband is making in the kitchen.
I saw the Oprah episode on spirituality – it really spoke to me – I didn’t have a chance to catch the other episodes.
If I were Oprah, I’d close down my main show and maybe do a part-time radio or internet gig.
Obviously she has enough money she could take time off and relax, yet still help so many people which has always been her focus. Sounds like she needs to do less, rather than more.
Jannies last blog post..Notes to self
Rummuser – What a wonderful story! The beauty of connections is priceless.
Davina – We received over a foot of snow this weekend, which provided a nice opportunity for me to work on my first line of products.
Lance – Yes, it is very exciting to be putting my desire into something physical. FYI – I love Think and Grow Rich!
Marelisa – There seems to be a direct correlation between weight gain and being out of balance. When we are out of balance it is hard to find time to work out and prepare healthy meals.
Stacey Shipman – I’m looking forward to seeing your new product line and sharing in your joy. Heath is yet another must for balance!
Jannie – I think she should take time off from her busy schedule, start a blog, and join our online community. She would just love us!
Hello Stacey,
This is our first visit to your site and we are excited to be here! Creating a life of balance is truly imperitive to Living your Best Life!! Congratulations on the launch of your new product line! We look forward to hearing about its Success!!
Today, we’re grateful for family and family gatherings. Every Sunday we start the day off at Grandma’s for breakfast, then dinner at the In-laws. It’s always a day filled with much Joy, Love and Laughter!
Many Blessings….
Roxanne and Hugo
~ Believe AChieve ~
Believe Achieve – Hugo and Roxannes last blog post..BELIEVE ACHIEVE – Positive Thought and Affirmation
Over the last year, I’ve had similar problems finding balance between work and play. I declared my word for 2009 to be “Outside” of which finding my balance between what I have to do outside, meaning work and other outside influences, and what I do on the inside, meaning relaxation and rest.
My new site, Travelin’ Local is a major part of that. Photography is my way of relaxation…………………:)
LisaNewtons last blog post..Just another morning in Westwood
Hi Stacey and thanks for welcoming me back. I don’t get to watch Oprah very often here in Europe as it’s usually on weeks later and in the afternoon. But I have a subscription to the magazine. I did see her show with Dr Oz on how to be a healthier you and the checklist and the foods etc. And I can say that healthier food has been on my mind a lot. I work part time still and usually just have a sandwich and some chocolate at lunch. Not healthy. We usually have a healthyish dinner but could do better. Today (and a few days ago) I had raw vegetables for dinner (carrots, cucumber, cauliflower, celeri etc) with some soja sprouts and hummus. Yummie! I am having some oero’s with my after dinner tea though, but so what 🙂
I am grateful for having an evening alone at home (kids at parents and husband on business).
I am grateful to drive to work and have this amazing view every morning when the sun comes up over the hills – it’s differently pretty every day and in every weather.
I am grateful for green tea with jasmine flowers – just love the stuff and it’s good for you.
I am grateful for warm clothes (at -15 deg C that’s what you need)
I agree, it’s all about balance. If one side of your life isn’t balanced, the whole building topples.
Have a great week.
Mimi
Mindful Mimis last blog post..Take the power to make your life happy.
Oprah has been so inspiring with all of her new shows! I have always loved her and now love her even more with her brutal honesty. It’s the year for ME!
Annettes last blog post..Weigh In……..Thank you body!
I’m so glad that you are going to be featuring more about Oprah here on your site. I don’t watch much TV and have not been following her shows. So it will definitely be helpful for me if you are able to point out those recordings that should not be missed.
Evelyn Lims last blog post..Ideas For Soul Growth In 2009
Hi Stacey – this all sounds very interesting! Like Evelyn, I know very little about Oprah – if it wasn’t for blogging, I wouldn’t even know she was into enlightened healing (to make up my own word for whatever it is). It does sound like she needs to find “work” that nourishes her more!
Robins last blog post..5-Year Plan For This Blog
I am celebrating YOU(fellow blogosphere adventurers) this week. I love this post! Thank you!
Mark Salinass last blog post..Your Journey
Hi Stacey. I seldom watch Oprah Show and I didn’t know that she had a problem of life balance until you shared to us. I’ll watch the video.
I absolutely agree with your point : money does not buy balance.
Money can not also buy happiness, because happiness is in mind.
Thanks for sharing, Stacey.
Arswinos last blog post..Achievement of Goals
Hugo and Roxanne – Welcome to CreateaBalance.com! You are very fortunate to live close to family and have weekly gatherings filled with love.
Lisa – I love the concept of balancing the outside with the inside. And I love your blog because it makes me realize all of the hidden treasures that are just outside of my own front door.
Mimi – We are glad to have you back! I truly feel better when I am eating healthier food. And junk food makes me feel ill. Yet, I still crave the junk food. Thanks for sharing your delicious sounding evening alone. I hope it was very relaxing.
Annette – I have not been watching Oprah lately, but I am hooked on her Best Life series. It’s all about balance.
Evelyn – Thanks for the feedback. I will continue to share Oprah inspired information on this blog.
Robin – I think work has consumed Oprah and she now realizes she needs to create a balance.
Mark – Thanks! I am a blogosphere adventurer, hear me roar!
Arswino – So many people think money brings balance and happiness. Balance and happiness are choices, regardless of the balance in our bank account.
I used to watch Oprah years ago when she first started her talk show, since she had a series of inspiring episodes. Then when it becomes a bit “too commercial” I stop! I’m glad you brought up some of her good qualities to convince me to watch again..
BC Doans last blog post..A Collection of Arthritis Articles
BC – I stopped watching too, but her new series is amazing. My goal is to start highlighting some of her team’s new wisdom on CreateaBalance.com.
Thanks for the welcome to the ‘Create a Balance’ community. Its nice to be here.
I love your gratitude log, its so important to take the time everyday to remember all the good stuff that you have going on!
Megs last blog post..Sugar Free Challenge: Day 15
Meg – It’s great to have you here. Keeping a gratitude journal is truly keeping me grounded during these unsure economic times.
Balance, what a wonderful word. I’m trying very hard to balance my life. At age 77, I decided it was time to give back. You see, my husband had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 1993, and in 2000, they changed the diagnosis. We were blessed, we felt the death sentence had been lifted for both of us. Because we were strongly advised to keep his diagnosis a secret, I started a journal.
After I was sure that Alzheimer’s wasn’t going to appear, I showed my husband the journal. he said, “Publish it, it’s our love story, it might help someone else.
So, Behind The Mask, came out last February, and since then I have started an Adopt A Caregiver program.
Now, I’m writing, speaking, blogging every night, knitting, and trying to inspire every to Adopt A Caregiver.
Yes, my life is balanced. Thank you.
Keep love and kisses in your life. Helene
Hi Stacy!
Congrats on all your new work on your site here!
I don’t watch Oprah anymore but I do love her. I stopped watching TV for quite some time and read and did other things.
She was always inspirational and fun. So I signed up and maybe I’ll watch again. Thanks for the opportunity to sign up here!