I am a creature of habit, and I am most at ease with a routine to follow. For the most part, the concept of ‘change’ terrifies me, and I despise surprises.
… and then I heard the news that Oprah would be parting ways with theOprah Winfrey Show this May.
When I first saw the headline, I did not think much of it. … favorite things, book club, free cars, sappy stories, Oprah’s questionable antics … yeah whatever, right? Wrong.
The more I thought about the conclusion of The Oprah Show, the more I could not stop thinking about it. Us 20-something-ers are in a unique category. Either the longevity of The Oprah Show has coincided with our lives, or we cannot remember a time when The Oprah Show was not on TV.
She is a pop culture icon, and while we have been growing up, she has been gaining popularity. To claim Oprah is larger than life is nearly an understatement. She has nearly 5.9 million followers, she is a billionaire, and she is the only person to make every Time Top 100 list.
Although Oprah has her fair share of critics, I believe you need to give credit where credit is due. Especially with regard to:
Her empire. She has built it herself. Oprah came from absolutely nothing. No nuclear family; no stable home life; no money. While she lives a life of prestige now, she has done a lot of work to get where she is.
Her ability to encourage and inspire people to be better. To do better, to be more empathetic, and to live better. She has also challenged people to hold themselves accountable for their own actions.
Books. Maybe I am a sucker for anyone who claims to be a book lover, but anyone who loves books and promotes literacy is alright with.
Class. While her show is not at the height of it’s popularity, I’d say Oprah is still pretty popular. She is choosing to bow out at the top of her game.
Oprah’s final show aired yesterday. Love her, or hate her, after 25 years, Oprah has moved on. And in a lot of ways, after 25 years we are all moving on, too. Growing up, flying solo, finding our own ways in the world. Change is upon us all. And instead of fearing and fretting, sometimes change is a necessary venture that needs to be embraced.
While change is intimidating and overwhelming at times, just remember we are not alone.
In the late 1970′s there was a 22 year old struggling to make a name for herself in Baltimore. She was fired from the evening news in the spring of 1977; a few years later she moved to Chicago, I wonder whatever happened to her…
Liz is a horrible speller; slow reading bookworm; southpaw; tea lover; avid list maker. Follow her on Twitter: @LizRambles
If you are interested in contributing to the Quarterlife Crisis series feel free to contact me.
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- The Quarterlife Crisis Series: The Other Quarter Life Crisis (Kelly Gurnett)
- The Quarterlife Crisis Series: When Plans Don’t Go According to Plan (Diana Antholis)
- The Quarterlife Crisis Series: Quarter Life Crisis Averted: Setting Boundaries & Figuring Out Who You Are
- The Quarterlife Crisis Series: Patrice S.
- The Quarterlife Crisis Series: Dave Stroup
