I was looking forward to today's rerun. I had seen the show, but it originally ran a year ago and I didn't remember it well. Today's episode was all about women in their 30s. Hey, I said to myself, I'm a woman firmly set in my 30s. This show will be right up my alley.
Well, kinda. Sorta. The gals didn't really reflect any of my personal struggles, but it was nice to see women my own age speaking about their place in the world at this age. I was surprised not to hear anything about women trying to find firm footing in their career of choice. This tends to be where much of my thought and work is focused these days and where many of my similarly-aged girlfriends are also expending energy. I think the producers made some nice choices for guests, but also went the obvious path.
I was a bit distraught to hear one woman (who decided to write her obituary in order to get comfortable in her choice to become a SAHM) say to Oprah, "I'm going to update it when I get home, because my dream of 20 years was to meet you!" YOWZA PEOPLE! Let's aim a little higher than meeting a celebrity in order to fulfill a major life goal. Come on folks, it's a big world out there with lots of dreams toward which to strive. Next time Oprah's producer's are choosing women to symbolize my demographic, I'd like to be represented by someone with slightly higher aspirations.
I did watch "After the Show" online and think I've (perhaps) gained a little insight into why Oprah seems so reserved and removed when she's had weight-loss success stories on the show this year. In the online video, taped in January 2007, a slimmed-down Oprah said, "I've been every size...That's why I'm Every Woman...Now that I've eliminated weight as an issue in my life, I am clear and free to do the work that I was meant to do...That is my truly biggest regret of my life. That I spent all that time fat." It must be hard to hear yourself so certain and absolute that you've conquered your biggest challenge in life, only to be struggling again 18 months later.
Note to self: Life changes day by day, moment by moment, so I should never allow myself to think I have all the answers.
Friday, July 4, 2008
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8 comments:
This is so lame. I mean c'mon why is it such a big deal to "loose weight". I mean if the people around us accept us for who we are. Why can't we accept ourselves for who we are. As people we should have much higher standards than trying to "look good". Unless it's for the right reasons I don't think loosing weight is a good goal. Maybe if all those Oprah viewers got off the couch instead of watching the show they'd see some improvement. So, yeah I'm overweight according to all that BMI bs but you know what I'm still sexy and I know it. Our downfall is our inability to see beauty in "imperfection".
Hey Anonymous - Rock on! Let's set this to music and create a new anthem of self-acceptance. Seriously. I love your line about being sexy and knowing it. That will be my mantra for the day. xoLO
Has it never occurred to Oprah that she could "eliminate weight as an issue in her life" just by not giving a shit about it anymore?
Wendy, Hi! I'm honored you've commented. You blog is terrific and I'm a big fan.
In response to your comment, I have some doubts she'd be able to do this. The weight issue is so deeply entrenched as part of her persona. I don't know if she can let it go and I don't know if her audience would allow it either. Plus, her whole infrastructure (Bob Greene, The Best Life Challenge and Dr. Oz, for instance) is set up to focus on weight. I think she'd have to overhaul so much of her life/career to separate from the weight issue. She's trapped herself in a spotlight, I think.
Thanks for writing! Best, LO
Oh yeah, I totally agree, and my comment was pretty much a hypothetical question.
Hi Living Oprah,
On the "reaching my goal" concept, I think this is indicative of the contradictions so often found in things Oprah Winfrey says. If she said she had met her goal, then what happened to the times she said to "live in the moment", "know that things can change," etc. The girl doesn't take her own advice. Anyone who has lost even ten pounds knows it might come back. All it takes is a few stressful months.
Hi Living Oprah,
On the "reaching my goal" concept, I think this is indicative of the contradictions so often found in things Oprah Winfrey says. If she said she had met her goal, then what happened to the times she said to "live in the moment", "know that things can change," etc. The girl doesn't take her own advice. Anyone who has lost even ten pounds knows it might come back. All it takes is a few stressful months.
hey uppity woman, that is SUCH a great point...you know what, i might try to remove the term "reached my goal" out of my vocab all together. it's completely contradictory to living moment by moment by insinuating there is an arbitrary "ending" - girl, you're smart! xoLO
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