What I Learned at Oprah’s Live the Life You Want Tour

Written By: Kim - Sep• 28•14

When a good friend approached me this past spring about going to the Oprah’s Live the Life You Want Tour, the timing wasn’t exactly great. I had just started my consulting business the same month and every dollar mattered. But, I decided that it was too good of an opportunity to turn down.

2014-09-26 18.09.16The weekend was really about self-development, be it personal or professional. While we were not in the most glamorous location, here’s what I learned in Newark, NJ.

  • People love Oprah, especially women. Brave men came along with their significant other or partner. Hats off to you men for sharing this experience with someone in your life who matters to you.
  • The lack of basic self esteem is astounding in people. I don’t mean someone who criticizes their feet or hair, but deep-seeded feelings of despondency, whether they are successful or not. Oprah brought a woman up on stage who had four children and a master’s degree (she looked so young) and she was beating herself up because she wasn’t using her master’s degree in her job.
  • Women really do support other women, despite all of the negative headlines. When this woman was on stage, Oprah pointed out that she had accomplished quit a feat: she had four young children and had completed her master’s degree. As she continued to cry (Oprah really is the best therapist) someone in our section yelled out as it became quiet, “We believe.” We believe in you. What support.
  • People make a difference in this world, even with the small resources they have available. One of this tour’s sponsors was Toyota. On this tour, their foundation hands out grants to deserving organizations during the day that is called a Toyota Standing Ovation. On our stop, the Camden Sophisticated Sisters received not only $25,000 from Toyota, but a $25,000 match from a woman in the audience. I realize that all causes are worthy, but this particular story was riveting. A 15 year-old single mother, challenged by her grandfather, kept this organization going after the funding dried up. Thirty years and three more children of her own, the CSS students have a 100% high school graduation completion record in a city that has a 50% drop out rate. Making a difference in so many lives – one at a time. Wonderful.
  • You have to own your destiny. Look, you can’t control who your parents are or where you came from, but you can control where you are going. You are the only one who can decide what is best for you; what your quest is; where you belong. It may not always fit into a nice idea that other people have and you will encounter plenty of naysayers. Screw them. You get on your quest and follow your dream. And, quite frankly, the naysayers may have to be cut out of your life if they can’t support you. Remove the negative language from your life and replace it with phrases like: I’m on my way, I can do anything, I know my life has meaning, I listen to my heart, I am taking steps to be healthier. You get the idea.

2014-09-27 09.08.57So, if I am going to share this small amount of feedback about this tremendous experience, then I should share my new vision that I created this weekend. Yeah, Oprah gave us homework.

My New Vision

  1. I am becoming a financially-secure business owner.
  2. I will be more present during family moments.
  3. I will speak gently to myself and others, removing negativity so that those words do not get left in my couch cushion (per a story Oprah told about Maya Angelou).
  4. I have a mission to make sure that my family knows how much they matter to me and how beautiful my life is because of them.
  5. I’m on my way to traveling more with my family so that we all can experience what the world has to offer.

Let me know if you create a new vision so that I can find out if there is any way that I can support you (other than cheering you on)!

What I Want in a New Pope

Written By: Kim - Mar• 11•13

The Catholic Church’s cardinals are in conclave. Starting tomorrow, they will begin voting on a new pope. Here’s are three things I want our new pope to seriously consider.

Swiss Guards protect the Vatican and the pope. ©Mike Howard

Swiss Guards protect the Vatican and the pope. ©Mike Howard

1. A true role and voice for women. I understand the Catholic church’s long history of men running the show. But, there are no women in positions of power at the Vatican. There, I said it out loud. My local church still stands and lightening has not struck me (yet). It’s about time that the men who run the Catholic church let the women who comprise a large portion their flock have a direct voice to the pope. There is something inane about a group of celibate, single men telling women how to do things. I am not suggesting that the church drastically change it’s stance on issues overnight. I am simply suggesting that women have a direct voice to the church’s CEO: the pope. When you surround yourself with people just like you, you have limited perspective. I don’t care how holy you are. I am simply asking that you expand your horizons.

2. A voice for abuse victims. Some of you created it. Many of you overlooked it. The church condemned it but only after news agencies caught wind of it. Do not let this happen again. Ever. VIRTUS training is only a starting point. Stop protecting your own and turn them in to the local police. Defrock them once they are found guilty. It’s really pretty simple.

3. Look ahead instead of becoming steeped in tradition. As with any CEO, the board of directors, shareholders and employees expect you to be able to see around corners. Tradition is nice for ceremonies, but that’s about it. Look ahead a decade or two and decide where the Catholic church needs to go.