Every week, Oprah is setting an intention exclusively for Oprah Daily Insiders, with reflections on topics like letting go, forgiveness, coming into your own, and more.


preview for Oprah Asks, Do You Step Forward When Others Step Back?

Hi, Insiders.

I’m in one of my favorite places to vacation—Portofino. Been here many times, and it’s always such a joy. I remember the first time I saw it, I thought it was a set from a Disney movie.

This week I’m thinking about something that I heard Abraham Verghese say on our sixth podcast for The Covenant of Water. He was telling the story of being a young doctor and having to change the sheets for a patient who had pooped in the bed, and a nurse walked in to change the sheets, and all the other interns and doctors who were in the room stepped back, and he happened to step forward because he knew how to do that, because there’s a certain way that you change poopy sheets.

I was so moved by that story because I thought it was a great metaphor for life, for people who step forward when other people stepped back. Because I was thinking about myself in that room. Would I have stepped forward to change the poopy sheets? Probably not. But witnessing him do it, he said that having his students witness him do it, he thinks left a lasting impression.

The story left a lasting impression on me, too. I’m wondering, in your own life, when have you stepped forward while others stepped backwards? Something to think about this week. Let me know your thoughts and go well. Happy summer vacation.