“Practicing gratitude has, quite simply, transformed my life. Over the years, whenever anyone looking to make a change has asked me,‘Where do I begin? What can I do?’ my answer is always, ‘Start with gratitude.’ I know for sure that when you focus on goodness, you create more of it, and acknowledging what you have and what you are grateful for completely shifts the way you see the world. It isn’t always easy, but it is often when you feel the least thankful that practicing gratitude can offer much-needed perspective. Try to live in the space of thankfulness every day—and whenever you can’t think of what to be grateful for, just close your eyes and feel your breath. Follow it in and out. And be grateful that you’re still here.” —Oprah
WATCH THE CLASS
On Tuesday, October 11 at 7:00 PM EST Oprah sat down with Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, a Columbia University professor, humanistic psychologist, and host of The Psychology Podcast, for a discussion on the impact of finding meaning and a sense of gratitude, even in life's most difficult circumstances. They were joined by a select group of Oprah Daily Insiders for the conversation, in which Dr. Kaufman unpacked obstacles that often stand in the way of feeling gratitude. Dr. Kaufman also provided effective methods for counteracting these roadblocks.
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YOU’RE INVITED!
Oprah's The Life You Want™ Daily Inspiration Cards
Oprah's The Life You Want™ Love and Happiness Journal
In “The Life You Want” Classes, Oprah answers questions from the chat and from a select group of Oprah Daily Insiders (yes, you could be one of them!) chosen to participate in the conversation. How can you join Oprah on-screen in an upcoming event? Insiders, keep an eye out for an email inviting you to apply before each class.
You can incorporate the lessons from each class into your everyday life with the help of our new limited edition Daily Inspiration Cards and Love and Happiness Journal. Our Daily Inspiration Cards include things like Oprah’s favorite breathing exercises and quotes, so you can begin each day guided by her wisdom. Our Love and Happiness Journal will help you develop an even stronger connection in not only your platonic and familial relationships but arguably the most important one of all, your relationship with yourself.
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BOOKS YOU’LL WANT
Our official “The Life You Want” reading list includes books by experts and guests who joined Oprah in previous classes. This month, Oprah and Dr. Kaufman discussed the importance of finding a sense of meaning and gratitude despite life’s challenges. Continue your journey of growth by picking up a copy of Kaufman’s book Choose Growth: A Workbook for Transcending Trauma, Fear, and Self-Doubt.
In August, Oprah and Arthur Brooks discussed finding happiness and purpose as we grow older. Continue learning about the topic with his book From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life.
In July, Oprah and Nedra Glover Tawwab, MSW, LCSW, discussed her book Set Boundaries, Find Peace: a Guide to Reclaiming Yourself. It provides a comprehensive look at how to stay true to yourself and focus on what is most important to you.
In May, Oprah and Jamie Kern Lima discussed her book, Believe IT: How to Go from Underestimated to Unstoppable, in which she shares how she evolved from humble beginnings to growing IT Cosmetics into a thriving brand. Oprah also referred to The Road Less Traveled, by Dr. M. Scott Peck, which opens with the idea that life is challenging. “We’ve all gone through hard things. Why? Because life is difficult. And when we do, we have to ask ourselves, What was I supposed to learn from that?” Oprah said.
In April, Oprah and Mark Nepo explored themes from his work titled The Book of Awakening. He also discussed how being creative can help boost your authenticity and presence in the moment.
In March, Oprah, Dr. Anita Phillips, and Claudia Rankine explored many of the themes discussed in Rankine’s work Just Us: An American Conversation. In the book, Rankine uses a range of essays, poems, and images to help us connect deeply and converse on topics that are often divisive, including white privilege.
In February, Oprah and Frank Bruni discussed the theme of vulnerability and how it relates to Bruni’s powerful memoir, The Beauty of Dusk: On Vision Lost and Found. Bruni recounts the medical and spiritual odyssey he embarked on following a stroke that left him blind in one eye and threatened to take away his sight entirely.
Back in January, Oprah and Martha Beck took a deeper look at the themes and topics covered in Martha’s book The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self. This suggested reading can help you dig deeper into those themes and better equip you to achieve your goals for this year and beyond.
Shop "The Life You Want Class" Reading List
From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life
The Book of Awakening: Having the Life You Want by Being Present to the Life You Have (20th Anniversary Edition)
Just Us: An American Conversation
GET A “LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE” MUG
Feel inspired with every sip! Keep your favorite beverages hot or cold in a beautiful travel mug that comes with an extra serving of empowerment from Oprah Daily. Oprah chose these four Corkcicle drinkware styles as the perfect vessels to remind you to “Live Your Best Life Every Day” whenever you enjoy your daily cup of coffee, favorite herbal tea, or any other drink your heart desires.
PAST “THE LIFE YOU WANT” EVENTS
Service
Oprah was joined by Van Jones, CNN correspondent, and Rebecca Welsh, The HALO Foundation founder, for a thought-provoking conversation that urged guests to reimagine what being of service to others looks like. Their illuminating discussion helped viewers realize that even seemingly simple acts of service can have a huge impact, not only for the people being served but also for yourself.
Renewal
Oprah was joined by Arthur Brooks, a bestselling author, social scientist, Harvard professor, and happiness correspondent for The Atlantic. Brooks is the author of From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life, which reveals how the second half of your life can be a stage of exciting growth and power. They had a moving conversation on themes prioritizing meaningful relationships in all forms, discovering your purpose, and the importance of love.
Forgiveness
Oprah was joined by Nedra Glover Tawwab, therapist and author of Set Boundaries, Find Peace: a Guide to Reclaiming Yourself, which is a New York Times bestseller. They engaged in an enlightening conversation on understanding forgiveness, learning how to remove oneself from toxic cycles of forgiveness, and how parents can lay the groundwork for educating their children on these skills.
Compassion and Empathy
Oprah was joined by Jeff Weiner, the executive chairman of LinkedIn, who shared how to practice empathy and compassion in life and career, what sets these two emotions apart, and his work with The Compassion Project. Oprah Daily Insiders joined their discussion and asked questions using examples from their personal lives.
Resilience
Oprah was joined by Jamie Kern Lima, the founder of IT Cosmetics and author of Believe IT: How to Go from Underestimated to Unstoppable, who shared insights on staying resilient in the face of rejection while chasing your dreams, and how "no" shouldn't throw you off course if you're living authentically. Oprah Daily Insiders joined their conversation and shared some of their individual experiences.
Being Fully Present
Oprah was joined by Mark Nepo, who discussed how living in the moment can bring you peace, as well as how creativity can help you live a more authentic life. A group of Oprah Daily Insiders joined their conversation and opened up about their experiences living as their true selves, their foundational stories, and more.
The Value of Connection
Oprah was joined by Dr. Anita Phillips and Claudia Rankine, who discussed how to open your heart space and build stronger bonds. A group of Oprah Daily Insiders joined their enlightening conversation, in which they shared details from their personal experiences.
The Importance of Vulnerability
Oprah was joined by Frank Bruni to discuss vulnerability and other themes covered in The Beauty of Dusk: On Vision Lost and Found. Oprah Daily Insiders joined their conversation, where they shared about what happens when you truly make yourself vulnerable and the power this emotion holds in our relationships.
The Power of Integrity
Oprah was joined by Martha Beck and surprise guest Maria Shriver in our second “The Life You Want” class. A group of Oprah Daily Insiders joined the powerful conversation, in which they and viewers were guided through exercises to help understand what it means to live a life that honors your true self.
Getting Started
For our first “The Life You Want” class, Oprah was joined by Oprah Daily Insiders as they charted a course for the series and the year ahead while working toward intentions together.
Vision Boarding
Gayle King, Adam Glassman, and Gabby Bernstein were joined by special guest Drew Barrymore and Oprah Daily Insiders as they created vision boards for 2022.
Cailey Griffin (She/Her) is the Editorial Assistant to Oprah Daily’s General Manager. In addition to assisting the GM, she also writes for Oprah Daily. She holds a Master of Science degree in journalism from Columbia University. She has interned at 60 Minutes, NBC News, and her work has appeared in Foreign Policy magazine. Outside of Oprah Daily, she can be found running around Harlem or listening to the Wicked soundtrack on repeat.
