Why Oprah Can't Do It

Oprah Winfrey is rich.
Oprah Winfrey has unlimited resources.
Oprah Winfrey is educated and intelligent.
Oprah Winfrey is passionate and driven.
So why is Oprah Winfrey overweight?

We live in a world with ever increasing waistlines.  Food has never been more easily accessible.  Work has never been more sedentary.  Debt has never been so common.  Stress has never been so prevalent.  And amid the cornucopia of advertisements about weight loss, people find themselves feeling confused, deflated, and helpless.  As we look around for heroes, we are left seeing the most capable people fail at losing weight.  So why is Oprah Winfrey overweight?

This is not an attack on Oprah Winfrey.  Oprah is an American Icon.  She is the perfect combination of love and power; she has touched and helped millions of people, while transcending social limitations of her race and sex.  With that said, I would like to see Oprah be a success story with her weight loss and health.

Please don't think I am being shallow.  Of course, being skinny is not "the most important" thing in life.  I am only bringing up the burning reality of weight gain in this country.  We have the answers--so we claim--with a fitness and weight loss industry that boast over $60 billion dollars a year in profits.  Clearly spending the money doesn't equate to losing the weight. So what is the answer?

Oprah Winfrey I am reaching my hand out to you.  I believe the answer to a healthier country can only be found in conversation and support.  We need to talk honestly about this obesity epidemic in America.  And no one is better at being heard than you.  Lets start this conversation and never stop.

No flashy Photoshopped images necessary.  No I lost 100 pounds in 6 weeks claims!
Just good ole' fashioned, front porch a sittin', in our rocking chairs talk.

It is never too late.  But it is increasingly nearing impossible.

Worship You

We worship everything.  

We worship things, materials.  

We worship other people.

We worship prophets and gods.

But

we don't worship ourselves.

If I could concretely believe in anything in my life it is me.  I am the most sacred temple, the most robust vehicle; I am a creator of life; I am organic; And I am here, now.

The center of the universe has been pushed from the Earth into the Unknown, and we've been left  wondering what deserves our most reverent attention.  I am here to say that the center of the Universe is YOU.  And you shouldn't feel guilty for making your most sacred thing yourself.   

I am not taking away from religion or spirituality; nor am I attacking materialism or hedonism as being excitable approaches to living. But it is you that takes you to church, you who works 10 hours a day for a pay check, and you who heals others with care and love.

Growing up in a church environment I was taught to fight the impulsive cravings of my body.  I was told not to wear shorts, cut-off sleeves, say certain words, told how to pray, what to say, I was controlled and convinced to look into the eyes of the preacher for the words of God.  Essentially, my focus was awaiting the next order, the next instruction against my body.  And as I lost grip of my body I also lost grip of my potential, and my freedom.

There is an underlining fear of freedom that exist in all of us.  A small lapse of trust that hesitates our actions and gives second guess to our convictions.  Combine this with low self-esteem and you become frozen and immovable.  And you become a sheep eager to join the numbers of a herd.

Don't be a sheep, always looking over your shoulder for a wolf.  Don't spend your time solely worshiping with the collective.

Worship yourself.  Worship your freedom.  Worship your potential.  
And most importantly, 
Worship your health.