My son called me and said, “ma, you’ve got to get Oprah’s new book ‘What I Know for Sure’ on audible.” I love Oprah, and everyone knows this, but I’ve never read any of her books. I usually listen to books that are mostly business-related, so I shrugged him off. Then, he said, “ma, that book changed my life.” What? It did what?
I said, “OK, son”; you had me at “ma.” I quickly downloaded the book, and Monday morning, I began to listen while heading to work. Oprah’s familiar voice rang out in my car, and almost as soon as she began, I had to pause the book.
“They Say You’re Not who you say you are.”
Fastly, an event that occurred a few years ago flooded my memory. I remember walking up to my husband’s family function, and I was abruptly met by a family friend who was three sheets to the wind. She said, “They say you’re not who you say you are.” In return, I said, “well, who do I say I am?” We both laughed, and I said, “you do you, and I’ll do me.” Timidly I joined the family festivities with my thoughts so loud it was as if they could be heard without being spoken.
Without a doubt, I didn’t understand how to receive why anyone would look at me that way. Did I seem pretentious or untrustworthy? I thought about that statement often, trying to make sense of what it meant. So, after Oprah started reading her book, I received my “ah-ha moment.” I quickly began to state out loud what I knew for sure about myself. Suddenly, everything became crystal clear.
It’s hard for people to know you, especially if you don’t know yourself. With years of catering to what society expects of you, you lose yourself. Thus, making you seem unauthentic and just keeping it real “fake.” Even though I really appreciate being reminded of the things I already knew about Oprah. The simple elegance of what she has learned about herself over the years was priceless. With that said, what I most appreciate is acknowledging who I am and standing firm in my truth.
What do you know for sure?
The question forces you to be honest with yourself. For sure, the question gives you a perfect look at the “man in the mirror.” Are you who you say you are? I found out introspection can be unpleasant at times. Throughout the audible read, I became emotional as I confessed what I knew for sure about everything concerning myself. Very liberating. The real truth is if you don’t know who, then how can you expect anyone else to know you.
So, when you ask yourself, “what do you know for sure?” make it simple and be honest. Do you like warm summer days or cold misty winters? Do you enjoy romantic evenings with your spouse, or would you rather curl up on the couch with a good book? Also, don’t be afraid to reveal not so pretty stuff about yourself. For instance, do you get serious road rage when someone cuts you off? Are you jealous when others succeed and do you secretly wish they would fail?
The Pivot to a Greater Understanding of Yourself
When I was about 9 or 10 years old, I came home from school a little earlier than my mom. Our neighbor took on the duty to watch out for my sister and me. The corner store just outside our apartment complex was too far for the neighborhood kids to go alone.
Not for me though.
Without real supervision, I decided to go to the store and buy enough candy to sell to the neighborhood kids. I took the screen out of my bedroom window and sold the candy from there. The turnout was crazy. But, my neighbor lay low, watching, and waiting for my mom to come home. Guess what; I was in trouble for about 30 seconds until mama saw all the money I made. This is the moment I knew for sure that I wanted to have my own business.
I hope you add this book to your list of reads. Not to understand what Oprah knows for sure but to cultivate a greater understanding of who you are. Most Importantly, if you are who you say you are.
Gold Nugget Alert
There are so many gold nuggets in this book. It’s a simple book, but the potential impact it can have on your life is limitless. Use this knowledge to become a better version of yourself.
I hope you found value here. Let me know if it changed your life anyway. Be as strong as we get through this Pandemic. Until next time…
