Oprah Lets Us Know She Is Not Lucky, She's Blessed In 'Elle India' Feature
Elle India was so sure that readers would be able to recognize our queen Oprah in one instant that they decided to choose one of their two magazine covers with mogul facing her back to the camera.
She is on the cover of this month's 22nd-anniversary issue to the surprise of many of us, decked out in beautiful Indian garments that she wears like a second skin.
With the million reasons why to look up to Oprah, the top on my list is how she owns the camera and knows it, so much that she covers her personal magazine every month (I strive to meet the level of self-deserved extraness!).
With all that she's accomplished in a short time here on Earth, it's easy to understand that she's a straight-up boss. However, for those of us trying to get our "Oprah" on during this lifetime, we wonder where this star got the guts to live her truth and walk within her authenticity straight to the top.
Oprah reveals that this realness comes from an understanding of her journey in the not-so-pretty places of the world and life. Here are three takeaways that could help any of us elevate to a higher sense of self and to manifest the life we desire walking into the new year.
Sit Down, Be Humble.
Oprah has every reason to brag, coming from where she came from and going through what she went through. However, the major key is being able to navigate through her charmed life with a lens of gratitude. Oprah reminds us that each piece of your puzzle plays a big part in a beautiful masterpiece. She told Elle:
"If you look at where I was born, where I was raised in rural Mississippi at a time when it was an apartheid state – the chances of me being who I am, where I am…nobody would have believed it was possible. So yes, the lesson is amazing grace does exist."
Growth Is Uncomfortable.
For those of us finding ourselves in defining moments in our lives, whether it be pertaining to our career, love lives, or self-development, Oprah suggests that we lean into the feeling of fear instead of running away from it. We have a tendency to run at the sit of any negative feeling and emotion that arises in us, however, they are vital to observe and work through. She explains:
"Fear is there for a reason, and I don't believe that if you're afraid it means you should do it. Fear means think about it. It means caution, it means to pay attention to what you're feeling until you have the clarity to move forward."
Be Present And Express Yourself.
For some of us feeling stuck in between "I'm doing great" and "I need to go harder," Oprah says to embrace where you are at this moment, but to also find your voice in order to share yourself to the world in the best way you know how. We forget that as Black women we share similarities, but we all have our own uniqueness to share with the world through our passions:
"I feel like we are exactly where we are supposed to be in this moment in time, and all of us who can raise our voices should use them in such a way that we can make part of progress; you will do that in your lifetime, and then the next generation will do that in their lifetime."
The Future Is Female.
The 64-year-old decided to drop some gems on us youngins as per usual, and as for the future, she wants us to continue to boss up, and worry about the boys later! So when you wonder if you are too strong, too ambitious, or too strong-willed remember you are here to take over the world. Who is Oprah without Stedman? Oprah! She shares with Elle:
"The new generation of boys should be raised to believe that girls are their equals, and sometimes, their superiors."
Wherever you are on your journey trust you are on the right course. You are exactly where you ought to be at this moment in time. Strive to be a bigger and better version of yourself and you'll never know. Perhaps people will not need your name, or your face to recognize you on a magazine cover. They'll know you by your voice and your passion.
Make sure to check out Elle India's site and Instagram for more beautiful pictures and the full interview soon! In true Oprah fashion: "You get your life, You get your life, and You get your life!"
Featured image by Bennett Raglin/WireImage
New Jersey native creating a life that she loves while living in gratitude. She loves using beauty, and fashion to create a balanced lifestyle while prioritizing wellness. A devoted fur mom, and a full-time lover of laughter. She is out for revenge against the darkness by being light, taking her own advice, traveling the world, and letting you know that you are so lit! Connect with her via IG @iamzaniah and please visit Zaniahsworld.com
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Tracey Edmonds Dropped Her 'Anti-Aging' Self-Care Routine & We're Taking Notes
Aging is a beautiful process.
While society tends to pressure women to spend hundreds on nips, tucks, and miracle creams in search of the fountain of youth, adopting simple habits into our everyday lives can be the hidden key to aging gracefully.
From exercise, regular sleep, and a consistent skincare routine, these pillars of a healthy lifestyle can help us ease into every stage of life that lies ahead. And when we see women like Emmy award-winning producer, Tracey Edmonds glowing and growing through her phases of life, we can’t help but to take notes. That’s why we’re breaking down the 57-year-old’s top anti-aging tips on how to live a vibrant and healthy life.
Tracey Edmonds: 'My Anti-Aging Self-Care Routine'
Stay Hydrated with Lemon and Coconut Water:
“Water not only keeps you energized, but it also cleanses you out — so you need to be drinking at least eight cups of water a day,” Tracey says in her video. “The other thing that you can add to water, which is actually amazing for you, is adding a squeeze of lemon or even a bit more to your water every single day.
“Lemon water is great for removing toxins, and it also tastes really good. It's very refreshing, and it gives you that extra little burst of energy… it'll kind of almost wake you up a little bit,” she shares. “Coconut water has all the benefits of regular water and additional ones. It helps with high blood pressure, and it's great for digestion.”
Exercise 3-5 Times a Week:
“We have to get our exercise in at least three to five times a week,” she advises. “Cardio is so important and it's great for heart health. When you get your body going and your energy flowing, you work better, you think better, you're more focused. So getting cardio is super important.”
Get Your Stretch On:
“I do a lot of stretching at least three times a week,” she says. “It's great for slowing down the aging process and keeping your body really agile with movement. And again, stretching is good for energy flow as well; it clears your chakra so that everything flows better in your body.”
Regular Cardio:
“Anything that actually gets your heart going is great for you. My cardio routine is running or walking on a treadmill at least three times a week. I run a mile each time I'm on the treadmill, so if you can do a mile each time you're on the treadmill, you are looking good, and your energy’s flowing, and keeping your body super healthy.”
Getting a Full Night’s Rest:
“I get at least eight hours of sleep. And yeah, it's hard sometimes, especially when you're working, and you have things on your mind, or you're going through things with your personal life,” she says. “Sometimes when I have problems sleeping, I turn on my sound machine and listen to the sound of a river going by or something that helps relax my mind and removes all the other noise going on in my mind — like all the worries and anxieties and the work issues.”
Self-Care for Your Soul
“I do a lot of meditating and praying,” Tracey shares. “I meditate before I go into prayer and what that is for me is my time to spend with myself and with God. During my meditation/prayer sessions, I block out everything else. I find a really quiet spot, I close my eyes, and I just get in tune with God and where I need to go with my life. I solve problems a lot of times while I'm meditating and praying on them, and come out of meditation and prayer feeling clearer and more focused.”
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Featured image by Momodu Mansaray/Getty Images