I am at my retreat center in the Berkshires, surrounded by people looking to better themselves physically, mentally and spiritually. They are here to learn how to more effectively serve others and how to be better citizens of our planet. While there are various programs happening here concurrently, the atmosphere is filled with commonality of purpose.
I see parallels between this lovely place and Oprah's mission, yet there is a huge disparity between the two. Both organizations (yes, I am referring to the business called "Oprah Winfrey") have service at their core, both are built upon the philosophy of their founders, both require brand recognition and satisfaction to thrive, and both rely on serving their public.
This center is quite popular and clearly makes money, as is evidenced by the huge new facilities it's building, its organic and delicious food, and its rather large staff. Yet there is no looming personality we're all meant to idolize. In fact, you could easily walk by without seeing the framed photo of the man (Swami Kripalu) upon whose teaching this place was founded. Of course, the fact that the good Swami has passed away plays a large role in the absence of his personality. Yet, while he was alive, he deflected attention away from himself. His legacy is a community of students and teachers and staff who are respectful of his memory without deifying him, self-aware, and independent, yet generous and compassionate. And did I mention the food?!
On the other hand, I feel as if Oprah's gigantic persona clouds her mission. With her face, name or logo on every product, she becomes the focal point rather than the service she's offering. In accepting this as "normal" and in following her guidance for living our "best lives" I have to wonder what legacy we're helping her create. And what is the trickledown effect of her ego? Are we being taught to be generous and compassionate only as long as our names and faces are attached to our deeds?
As promised, I have come up with the second item in this week's series, HOW OPRAH AND I ARE ALIKE: My love of inspirational quotes. I'm not joking and I do recognize I am opening myself up to ridicule here. I have even shed a tear or two over "Nobody puts Baby in the corner." Of course, I'd never be so bold as Oprah to actually create my own idioms and print them on merchandise for others to cherish, yet I am a collector. Here's one I pass on my way to my room here at the retreat center:
"The best way to find yourself is in the service of others." - Mahatma Gandhi
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
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9 comments:
I'm so badly in need of a retreat where someone else cooks for me in beautiful, tranquil surroundings, where my cell phone has no signal!
Re: Oprah's persona overshadowing her message of giving. I believe a lot of Oprah acolytes believe that if they follow Oprah's way of living your best life, they will become as wealthy as Oprah. I can't think of any other reason for the success of "The Secret". I'm sure a lot of people have also been introduced to a life of philanthropy on whatever level they can afford, too, but the "maybe I'll be rich like Oprah someday" dream infects many.
Lo,
I read in Tuesday, July 22, Chicago Tribune that TiVo and Amazon.com are teaming up and introducing a feature that allows tv viewers to order products being promoted on talk shows. I guess this means that as you are watching Oprah and she suggests that you purchase an item, the viewer can use the remote to order the item right then and there. This should make your mission even easier--you won't have to pound the sidewalks looking for touted merchandise. More instant gratification for the masses.
Enjoy! (See page 6 of the Business section for article)
I admire our resolve, humor, intellect, and well-constructed blog. Keep it up!
Catherine
Hey LO! I wonder how this cult of personality got started for Oprah. She's talked extensively of her humble beginnings, so it obviously wasn't something she grew up expecting. I'm guessing the seed was planted when she named her talk show after herself (i.e., the distinction between Oprah the person and "Oprah" the phenomenon becoming blurred) and the idea solidified when she decided to put herself on the cover of the second issue of O magazine (we'll give her a pass on the first issue). Once she established herself as not only the face of "the brand" but "the brand" itself, it's an easy path to proselytizing and feeling above others who buy into "the brand".
That settles it - my talk show will be named "The Happy Day Fun Time Show", and puppies and kittens will grace all of the covers of my "Happy Day Fun Monthly" magazine.
"I believe a lot of Oprah acolytes believe that if they follow Oprah's way of living your best life, they will become as wealthy as Oprah. I can't think of any other reason for the success of "The Secret".
Check this out ;-)
http://financial-freedom.thesgrprogram.com/
now even the "teachers of the secret" are riding the Oprah machine
I should clarify...the sales copy for this program often starts..."'The Secret' has taken the world by storm. It has sold millions of copies and among others it has been featured on Oprah.... Following on the success of the Secret, 3 of the core teachers - namely Bob Proctor and Jack Canfield have collaborated to produce a wealth building program called "the Secret Science of Getting Rich Seminar".
"And what is the trickledown effect of her ego?"
Or, more precisely, "trickledown effect of her ego"
Phrase of the day. Brilliant.
(What were the supply-side economists thinking?)
As for me: found you through a friend telling me about the NPR story; we were on a walk together and after she told me of your Living Oprah project, I told her of Randy Pausch and his Last Lecture. Both in the service of Living Your Best Life. And, come to think of it, very differentiated by trickledown effect of ego.
Man oh man. That phrase is so delicious... see how it just slides into a conversation so nicely!
Hey LO - sounds like the retreat is worth it!
I agree that O can be considered an organization...after all, although it is her name, she has an army of people working to develop it. You gave us a lot to ponder too. At this point I just have to believe that maybe she just decided to embrace the ring-leader role and go with it (even when it comes to service). I know that there are tons of organizations I would never have been aware of if I didn't read/hear about them through O (unfortunately, I guess that reveals some things about myself!). This is a tricky one. Gives me much to think about!! :) Love the quote!
PS As far as your poll this week(i.e., do sponsors/ads affect her recommendations?), it's kind of a trick question. If you think about it...how else (besides word of mouth) could someone get noticed by O? I know if I had something new that I would want her to back up I would send it! Plus, I am sure you have to make it through an assistant, an assistant's assistant, management, admin, the mailroom, and all other sorts of people (which is also word of mouth, glorified) before O sees it herself. Also, half of the products (and even websites) I visit/shop from are only because someone told me or I got a "random" email or mailer from the company (I put "random" in quotes because I usually realize later that that random company is a sister/brother company of someone else I frequent). So I guess my point is, I don't blame her if that's the case (I don't believe that it was your intention to say whether it is good or bad, I'm just throwing this out there).
That's the only thing that bugs me about her show - that she advocates so fervently for some of these "gurus" who I think quite frankly are a bunch of "con-artists" I mean for real where to sign up to write a book on having the perfect peaceful wealthy life -where is the reality basis? Not everyone is rich or gets rich just by changing their attitude - that is a reductionist and patronizing attitude towards most people - You can pray and be cheerful all your life doesnt mean you're going to find yourself living in a penthouse just because of it.
She does carry a tremendous burden on her being some type of leader and using her show for good which I think she does do - but she also leaves out a lot of things that are too controversial that she doesn't want to touch with a ten foot pole - and that's not courage is it? I'd love to see her spend time tackling the healthcare crisis - (but that would be too negative wouldn't it) seeing all those sick people without insurance barely getting by -
but then I think that's so unfair of me - Look what she did during Hurricane Katrina - she had guts to go down there when many others did not - She's come along way - and she has to be enthusiastic - but I think she needs to get a little more "real" - I think we like to watch Oprah because she shows us a fantasy life
PS - I read about you in the Chicago Daily Reader - I love what you are doing! Great job!!!
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