I always thought Oprah had cult. What with her shows, her book club, her magazines, her own XM radio channel, telling you what to read, what to buy, what to eat, how to effectively visit your doctor, how to change your whole life! I have been reading her book club books for many years now. What can I say, I like the drama and trauma packed in each of those sappy fiction books! I never rushed out to buy the newest and latest book she’d add to her list, it just seemed that the books I’d choose to come home with from the library or bookstore always just happened to have her stamp of approval on them.
I didn’t start watching Oprah until about two years ago now. I usually skip the ones with pop stars or country singers or stupid guests but the ones about people with incredible life stories…I am glued to the TV on those episodes! I don’t follow her diet plans (although I think Jessica Seinfeld’s idea of puree’ing all kinds of foods and sneaking them into your and your kids’ meals is a great idea!) and I don’t buy everything on her holiday must have lists. But I love the episodes with Dr. Oz and the frankness with which he discusses the human body and its functions (remember that whole episode about poop?! LOL!). And that recent episode when she had a bunch of guests on who had been violated or abused and they all just felt in their guts that something was wrong prior to the occurrence. I’m a big believer in listening to your gut feelings so I was all over that particular show.
Well, now Oprah has a second show called The Big Give. It started last night and I’ve recorded it but haven’t watched it yet. From what I understand it’s a sort of reality show competition where 10 people from different walks of life and different situations have to give back to the world or their community in a big way while three celebrity judges (Hello Naked Chef!) decide who gave the biggest or the most. Apparently, throughout the show, they’ll also give the audience ideas and suggestions as to little ways we, too, can give back to the world in which we live. Now, say what you will about Oprah trying to take over the world but seriously….what a great idea for a show! How utterly NOT-selfish of her. And her participants. Sure, they’re sponsored and advertising out the watoosy but who cares? These people are giving back to the community on national television and Oprah’s giving them her stamp of approval. Not only her stamp, really, she’s helping the make it happen. She uses her stardom and power to inspire people to make a real difference in the world. How can you hate on her for that?!

I knew about her first-time-ever online class for Eckhart Tolle’s book A New Earth. I talked about it with a couple of people. I went to Borders last night to get some new novels and I saw three women in line with at least one copy of the book each. I wasn’t going to participate in the class because I have a hard time making it all the way through nonfiction self help books. Especially alone. I don’t think I could keep up with an online class! But a couple weeks ago, I downloaded Tolle’s other book, The Power of Now as an audiobook. I was listening to more of it last night and it was so aweinspiring I almost cried right then and there. It’s basic zen teachings but in a more sort of Americanized way, making it more compatible in your every day life. So this morning I decided if I can listen to a book on my iPod, then I want to join that class!
I am currently updating my iTunes and once that’s finished I’ll be downloading A New Earth and when that’s done I’ll be listening to it and contimplating Oprah’s questions as I prepare for her online class tonight. I’m not sure how that’s going to work. It may be sort of a chat room java script thing. Hopefully, Honey will be home to help me with it, should I have any problems.

So now you know. I am officially part of Oprah’s Cult. Am I alone? Are any of you dear readers part of this group? Have you been brainwashed to Live Your Best Life, too???