Aha moments!

Oprah in Hamilton; a trip above the clouds.

“I’m on edge of Glory and I’m hangin’ on a moment with you.

I’m on the edge of glory and I’m hangin’ on a moment of truth.”

The Lady Gaga b-e-a-t, Edge of Glory, infuses the atmosphere as we enter the coliseum. Women huddle together to take group pictures, giggling and laughing like spirit-soaked devotees. The vibration feeds my veins with adrenaline, and I’m feeling a slight vertigo as we ascend to our seats on the second balcony.

I’ve had a career in the film and television industry for over a decade, so I’ve experienced first-hand, many famous people. I believe I have a certain ability to be grounded and maintain perspective when it comes to celebrity. Still, I found myself hypnotized by the buzz in the building, pumped to see Oprah Winfrey in person, and be inspired perhaps to take away some words of wisdom. And that’s exactly what happened. Inspiration came streaming through, one life example after another, in true Oprah style of “aha” moments.

“Why are you here?” Oprah asks. Shifting in my seat, I observe, that I am one person, among some 15,000 now all in sync. “Aha” moments speak to inspire us all, but they impact each individual in the context of their own life. Oprah wants us to turn up the volume of our life, so loud that we will hear our calling speaking to us, and ignite our passion so to be about the business of doing it.  

The only difference between you and a person of fame, she says, is that more people know her name.  And that her salary makes news headlines regularly. But Oprah has earned every salary as she rose to her position today, having her own network: OWN TV.

She cooks on the weekend. She doesn’t have to. But she wants to, because she enjoys it, along with a little Merlot! So how did a girl from Mississippi, USA journey from there to here, tonight, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada?  It’s rather an awesome thought, don’t you think?

Oprah has paid attention to why she’s here. “We’ve all been called. Your lesson is that you are here.” We all came the same way, (served up with a little humour).  Our job is to hear our calling. That thing, that voice in the quiet of our minds, when we’re not playing the roles that we play.

“I am a whisper on the breath of God. I am a human living within and through divine intelligence.”

When you’re in alignment with your purpose, you begin to notice the threads, which reveal the links in your life. It’s not one thing – it’s everything leading up to this moment. “Find the link that sows together the pattern of your life, and let it reveal the clues to your purpose.”

“Because the privilege of a life-time, is to be who you are. And after all, the fact is, you are here! You are HERE!” she says, as the entire audience surges into cheers. Yes, I am here. Without a doubt, we all have a story that has brought us to where we are today. Over a year ago, I suffered a concussion, resulting in a domino effect of symptoms and life-altering events. Now, I begin each day with gratitude, after more than a year of struggle, resolving, choosing, taking inventory, letting go, and the moment by moment adjusting of my emotional GPS.

“I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.” Life’s trials, Oprah says, are sent to show you who you are. When life seemed surreal and I wasn’t sure how to get through, I can only say that there came a time where I learned to let go, and surrender; on my knees, sitting silent, or lying in any position possible that gave relief.

Oprah has BIG faith; she describes it like a sunrise. “It’s like that moment when we rise above the clouds.” Life’s common threads are what make us human. We all feel it, even famous people; sadness, grief, pain, love, joy. Out of a dark place of separation or loss, low self-esteem, tragedy – we’ve all been there.

“Let our deepest practice be gratitude.”

Riveted by Oprah Winfrey standing on stage, glancing at her familiar face on the big monitor, seated on the second balcony with fellow OWN Ambassadors, I felt grateful. In fact I was feeling entirely blissful, and my spirit was elevated. Was anyone feeling this too? (adjusting in my seat again) Was it vertigo?

I’m on the edge

the edge

the edge

the edge

And suddenly, I felt myself falling, metaphorically, induced by a wave of sweetness, drifting, as if the air became lighter. “These experiences we all have,” Oprah says, Nothing gets unused. The events that happen to you all hold energy – use it. Instead of letting it use you.” Forgive yourself. “Forgiveness – (we all join in), is giving up the hope that the past could be any different.”

My emotional free-fall was accompanied by Oprah’s narration of a beautiful poem, Love After Love, by Derek Walcott:

The time will come,

when, with elation

you will greet yourself arriving

at your own door, in your own mirror

and each will smile at the other’s welcome,

and say, sit here. Eat.

You will love again the stranger who was yourself.

Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart

to itself, to the stranger who has loved you

all your life, whom you ignored

for another, who knows you by heart.

Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,

the photographs, the desperate notes

peel your own image from the mirror.

Sit. Feast on your life.

I hadn’t brought Kleenex. Mock my words, or just believe it when I say: it was a moment. I loved listening to Oprah tell her story, and laugh, cry or sigh as I heard that inner “aha.”

We soar to these places above the clouds, and appreciate the moments of glory, all the more in knowing that we gained strength through our struggles and persevered. What’s your story? Why are you here?

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First Look: Roma Downey on The Bible‘s Success: “God Beats Zombies”

Since its premiere in March 2013, 100 million people—including Oprah—have watched The Bible, a miniseries produced by the husband-and-wife team of Mark Burnett and Roma Downey. What does the success of this series say about our culture? Watch as Roma shares what she believes viewers are yearning for. Plus, Mark and Roma discuss the show’s primetime rival, AMC’s The Walking Dead.

Tune in to Oprah’s Next Chapter on Sunday, April 14, at 9/8c.

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Iyanla teaches us how to grow beyond guilt so that we may experience true freedom in our lives. Watch today as Amy has her A Ha moments. We are grateful she got another chance.

You can watch “Super Soul Sunday” live on the web today. Go to Oprah.com or log into Facebook and watch it stream. If your in the United States tune into OWN TV.

Remember to log into Twitter and tweet with us and the OWN Ambassadors while watching #SuperSoulSunday. Most Sunday’s you can find Oprah and her Team tweeting as well. Send Oprah a tweet and tell her what you think of #SuperSoulSunday. Please use the Hashtag #SuperSoulSunday.

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First Look: Tyler Perry’s Two-Night, Two Series Premiere Spectacular!

Deep in the heart of Atlanta, shrouded in secrecy, cameras are rolling on two brand new television shows. But now, YOU get the very first sneak peek at what Tyler Perry has been working on and bringing to OWN this May!

So, mark your calendars! Watch the first look above, then tune in to OWN on May 28th and 29th for a special two night, two series premiere spectacular.

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Find OWN Canada in your are here: Channel Finder

You can also catch up with Jane Fonda on her blog. Jane Fonda  

First Look: Meet Jane Fonda’s “Lost” Daughter, Mary Williams

At 14, Mary Williams moved from the poverty-stricken streets of East Oakland, California, to Jane Fonda’s hacienda in Santa Monica, California, becoming the adopted daughter many people didn’t know the actress had. Now, Mary is sharing her story in her memoir, The Lost Daughter. Watch as Jane and Mary sit down with Oprah to discuss their relationship.

Watch Oprah’s interview with Jane Fonda on Sunday, April 7, at 9/8c.

If you just loved Jane Fonda’s old workout videos you can watch and do a workout with Jane here. Enjoy!

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Most Sundays you can find Oprah tweeting along with us while watching Super Soul Sunday. So join in the conversation and follow @CDNOWNViewers and @Oprah and the #OWNAmbassadors for our twitter party.

Here is a preview of “Dreaming Big”.

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” Oprah

This is what happened when we learned to Dream Big!

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Madea Meets Sofia: The Search for OWN

Oprah and Tyler Perry are coming together on OWN—but Madea can’t seem to find the channel. Watch to see what happens when this no-nonsense granny comes across Sofia from The Color Purple on a dirt road.

Find OWN on your cable provider!

Tune in May 28 and 29 for Tyler Perry’s two-night premiere.

Learn more about Tyler Perry on OWN

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Attention Canadian Oprah fans! If you have not already heard the news, Oprah Winfrey is planning another trip to Canada and she is hoping for warmer weather this time!

If you live in Hamilton, Ottawa, Montreal or Saskatoon you are in for a treat. Oprah is planning to speak in Ottawa, Ontario at the Scotiabank Place Wednesday, April 10th 2013, at the Bell Centre in Montreal Thursday, April 11th 2013 , in Hamilton, Ontario at Copps Coliseum on Saturday,April 13, and at Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on April 14, 2013. Christian Darbyshire and Andy McCreath of tinePublic Inc. will be producing the event.

Canadians, get ready to be inspired and experience many “a-ha moments” as Oprah shares stories about her life from the beginning to now! Can’t afford the price of a ticket? Be sure to enter some of these contests and win a chance to attend this life changing, inspirational evening with Oprah! Good luck!

http://ownca.oprah.com/Contests.aspx

http://montreal.virginradio.ca/Contests/Register.aspx?ContestID=169385

http://www.chumfm.com/Contests/Contests/Meet-Oprah-in-person

http://www.k-litefm.com/Contests/Register.aspx?ContestID=171624

http://www.sleepcountry.ca/oinhamilton

http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/more/2.826/win-an-evening-with-oprah-winfrey-presented-by-td-bank

Canadian OWN Viewers will be in attendance and will tweet live from the event! Be sure to follow us at @CDNOWNViewers for all of the latest Oprah news! We want to hear from you…will you be attending this once in a lifetime event?

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