Duke University- Oprah Gives Tips for Lifetime Success

May 26, 2009 by Katie Skow
Filed under Featured Goddess

Lucky graduates! The Duke University Class of 2009 landed Oprah Winfrey as their commencement speaker. Here are some highlights from the speech:

If you can find a way to give back … you will be a huge success because for sure, one of the things I’ve learned is that the best way to enhance your own life is to contribute to somebody else’s.

My greatest lessons have come from my work…I look at life everyday as an experience ‘How can I grow from this?’ …25 years later I’m still learning.

At some point something in life is going to eat you inside…but graduates, I want you to know if you can summon the courage…and remember what good are you to anyone if you’re miserable, I know for sure you’ll be a huge success. Remember…you are responsible for your happiness…you are responsible to the energy you bring to everything.

If you can see the possibility of change in your life, of seeing what you can become and not just what you are, you will be a huge success.

You never know what kindness you offer today to someone how that might live with them forever. If you can be generous enough to say kind, affirming words to those who may long to hear them, you will be a huge success.

It’s great to have a nice home. It’s great to have nice homes! It’s great to have a nice home that just escaped the fire in Santa Barbara.

It’s great to have a private jet. Anyone that tells you that having your own private jet isn’t great is lying to you.

You really haven’t completed the circle of success unless you have helped someone else move to higher ground…I spend my life thinking of how I can help someone else move to higher ground.

Each of us has to stand in our own shoes. The real question is: How will you stand in your own shoes? Every experience will give you the chance to make that choice.

Trust your gut to help you stand proudly in your own shoes as you help others stand in theirs and I know you will be a huge success.