I saw Oprah live for the first time in my life this week in Toronto. Bucket list anyone? People (mostly women) were lined up for blocks and blocks. Parking lots around the venue were full. The radio was talking about the traffic jams caused by the event. Once I got into the building, I joined the throngs of women all excited and chatting and taking pictures of signs and the other people. I felt goosebumps from the energy in the room. I was there 2 hours before the start time and I almost couldn’t find a seat–even though I walked to the very end of the cavernous room. 8500 avid fans were there, waiting for their first glimpse of Oprah.
Similar to most people, I consider Oprah to be one of my biggest teachers. I’ve learned about authors, concepts, movements and personal stories of triumph and tragedy from her. I owe meeting my hero Wayne Dyer and my Rwandan sister through Women for Women International to Oprah.
The day of the event was no different. I saw and listened to great teachers I’d never heard about before. A large and charismatic man named Bishop T.D. Jakes stood up and wowed the audience. He said to the woman who couldn’t get over the death of her husband, “people are like scaffolding, when the building is complete they go away”. I was so touched by that. So many of my relationships have so much more meaning when I look at it that way.
As a small business growth coach, I teach everything I learn on a daily and hourly basis almost immediately. I am privileged to have a life where I can transfer these learnings to others as part of my actual job.
Make every day a learning day. Every memory something that has lessons and every interaction will have that much more meaning for you and for your clients.
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