Interpretive notes for Detroit: Oprah’s "Best Life" tour

I had the honor of attending the “Oprah’s The Life You Want Weekend” this past weekend (Friday and Saturday at The Palace), which was an absolutely amazing experience. I am a child of the 80s and remember watching the Oprah Winfrey Show while at my aunt and grandparents house. This is when my “fan-hood” began. I then read books about her and becoming even more intrigued and inspired by her, even doing book reports about her life and story. During my teen years, I would tune-in and watch the show myself. Being the crybaby that I am, these afternoons turned into tear shedding sessions (sometimes with myself and others, with my mom and aunts).

So now, as a “grown-up”, I was uber ecstatic to be able to attend one of her events. I went in with slightly no expectation. Just the thought of being in her presence was enough for me. With some of my dear friends, we spent our Friday evening laughing, screaming and crying while listening to Oprah share her journey and story. She discussed her family life and struggles, a funny relationship story and now her work to make her television network the best, while messaging and demonstrating a very consistent spiritual and “higher-being” message. The next day was filled with a great “O Town” outdoor, fun and pamper-filled experience, and some of the nation’s top speakers. As I’ve been looking over my notes, here are a few items that were shared that I think apply to our city…

• Law of Attraction: the concept of like attracts like ie. by focusing on positive or negative thoughts, once can bring about positive of negative results. Rather than focusing on the negative, think about ways if leveraging the positive, to yield additional positive outcomes.
• Block Out Others Voices and Learn Your Calling: I think that us “Detroiters” are pretty good about blocking out what others (nationally) have to say about us, however often say bad things about ourselves. So, block out the noise, and continue to press on.
• Start With Gratitude: Detroit has SO many assets that have been mistreated, mismanaged, or not used. We need to be thankful for these and work at building them back up and leveraging them, to make the City better.
• During Mystery, God is through it all: I think the speedy improvements the City is encountering and the national corporate support (financially) that the City is receiving is representative of this. Whether it’s the thoughts and prayers of those living and working here, or the surprise investments that have and will continue to come, these are a testament of this concept. I believe that all that we have overcome and the “Detroit story”, shows hope, resiliency and faith prevails all.

Last is, Embrace the life you have, to get the life you want. I went on a “Detroit Experience Factory” tour last week and the guide gave a description of the Spirit of Detroit statue. Upon hearing the description, it made me think about how much “life” Detroit has. Just as human beings endure the rollercoaster of ups, downs, laughter, tears, surplus and famine, so has our City. At this point, all one can do is embrace it and keep moving…that’s what life is all about!

For reference, the Detroit Historical Society’s site states the following description of the Spirit of Detroit statue: “In the statue’s left hand it holds a gilt bronze sphere, emanating rays to symbolize God, and in its right it holds a family group symbolizing all human relationships.  On the wall behind the sculpture the inscription 2 Corinthians (3:17) ‘Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty,’ along with both the symbols of the city and of the county.  On the plaque in front of the statue gives the inscription: ‘The artist expresses the concept that God, through the spirit of man is manifested in the family, the noblest human relationship.’”