11 Best Life Lessons From Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey is an inspiration to millions, and there's no other television host who can move people to action like she can. Today she turns 60, and what better way to ring in her birthday than rounding up the best lessons she has ever taught us? Read on for her advice that may inspire an "aha" moment and change the way you live.

01
Believe in Yourself
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Believe in Yourself

"If you're not looking at the shadows, at what is subconsciously running through that tape in your mind. Telling yourself that you're not good enough, you're not worthy enough . . . If you're not conscious of that, then you end up acting out of that belief system and not out of what you know to be the truest or want to be the truest of yourself."

Takeaway: Be aware of the negative things you are saying to yourself, subconsciously or consciously; imbue yourself with positivity; and believe in yourself. The more you bring yourself down, the further you will be from your goals.

02
Be Brave
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Be Brave

"The only courage you ever need is the courage to fulfill the dreams of your own life."

Takeaway: It takes courage to overcome obstacles and realize your true potential. You can do anything you put your mind to if you face the challenge with courage.

03
You Become What You Believe
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You Become What You Believe

"Your life is a reflection of the way you think. . . . You are creating your own reality show every day, in every experience and every encounter. . . . What you believe is what you become, and one person can make a difference, and that person is you."

Takeaway: Watch what you're thinking about yourself, be it negative or positive. Make sure the thoughts that keep repeating themselves in your mind are encouraging, because you can very quickly turn into the person you're telling yourself you are.

04
Respect Money
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Respect Money

"If you disrespect money, it slips through your fingers."

Takeaway: Money deserves respect and your time and concern. Spend time managing it and being aware of it, instead of letting it run through your fingers without thinking about it.

05
Success Takes Work
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Success Takes Work

"It doesn't just happen. There is a process [for success]. . . . It's up to each individual to figure out . . . what that process is in their life."

Takeaway: You can't just wish for things to happen. Success doesn't happen on its own; you make it happen. Find out the steps you need to take to get to where you want to be, and implement it. Success requires you to take baby steps, and it doesn't just happen overnight.

06
Love Doesn't Hurt
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Love Doesn't Hurt

"People who love you don't treat you badly. Love doesn't hurt; it's supposed to feel good."

Takeaway: The people who love you lift you up and shouldn't bring you down. People who care about you shouldn't be putting you down and disrespecting you. And if they don't truly love you, then why are you wasting your time with them?

07
It Is Never Too Late
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It Is Never Too Late

"It's never too late to achieve [what] you believe. . . . It's never too late to have a wake-up call. All life is about growing to be who you are most meant to be, the best version of yourself, and that even if it takes a disaster in your life, there's always time until you take your last breath to recognize that you have the power."

Takeaway: Saying that "it's too late for me" is an excuse you give yourself for not finding the courage to live up to your fullest potential. Get out of your comfort zone, and achieve your highest calling. There are countless examples out there that show us it's never too late. Take a page from former felon Jeff Henderson, who spent 10 years in prison for drug dealing and then became the executive chef at Café Bellagio in Las Vegas and a bestselling author.

08
Let Go of the Past
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Let Go of the Past

"Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past can be any different. . . . And I know many of you, you think forgiving means accepting what has happened to you. Well, it is accepting that it has happened to you, not accepting that it was OK for it to happen. It is accepting that it has happened, and now, what do I do about it? Forgiving is giving up the hope. Not holding on, hoping, wishing that it could've been any other way than it actually was. Giving up the hope that the past could be any different. And when I got that, I think it took me to the next level of being a better person, because I don't hold grudges for anything, any situation, and neither should you. It's letting go so that the past does not hold you prisoner, so that it does not hold you hostage. If you allow the past to define your present, then you never actually really get to live the life that you were meant to live, because you're always holding on to what was and always holding and defining yourself by what was or what should've been or what could've been."

Takeaway: Forgiving someone or letting go of a past grudge is not a failure on your end. When you keep harping on a past hurt, you give that incident or the person who hurt you the power to continue negatively impacting you. Let go and forgive, and you will be happier for it.

09
What Goes Around Comes Around
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What Goes Around Comes Around

"The energy you're putting out is coming back all the time. . . . For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction."

Takeaway: Remember that the actions you take come back to you in some form. When you are spreading positivity, you will receive it in kind. Be careful not to spew negativity, or you will surround yourself with it.

10
When You Know Better
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When You Know Better

"When you know better, you do better. . . . You know how freeing those words are, how freeing they can be for you? What it means is you don't have to hold yourself hostage to who you used to be or anything you ever used to do. Because who has lived and hasn't made mistakes?"

Takeaway: Don't be so hard on yourself about your past mistakes. You made them because you didn't know any better. But now that you do, you can take the steps to never make those mistakes again. Mistakes are empowering, because they can lead you to the right path.

11
Slow Down
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Slow Down

"Slow down, because the only moment we can really live is now. Being in the present moment, if you can learn to do that, begins to change your whole life. Just staying focused on what is happening now . . . When we're truly present, we recognize that the ordinary moments are life's greatest gifts."

Takeaway: Slow down, and don't multitask. This will distract you, and you may end up making mistakes that you can't take back. Another benefit to slowing down is that you'll be able to appreciate the small and seemingly mundane things.