it's the end of the world and oprah

Dear O:  I thought I would take this opportunity to write to you before Doomsday takes us all (where there might not be blogging).  Anyways, congratulations on closing this 25-year-old chapter of your life.  And what a glorious chapter it's been.  It's basically made you the most powerful woman in the country and possibly the world.  Even someone like me, a guy who really isn't into all your gratitude journal, meditation room schtick, can honestly appreciate your influence.  And yeah, I will freely admit to having shed a few tears watching your show, particularly when you feature brave people or people who do good for others.  Your show makes me less cynical, and that's a big deal.  Cynicism is like an infection.  You have to protect yourself against it constantly.  So thank you for reminding me that there is a lot of good in this world, a lot of people who look at the world as a community and that we are all connected.  You taught me that you have to put positive energy out there to receive positive energy back (you reap what you sow).  Words are very powerful, and that I need to be careful of the negative things I say (even if it's half-jokingly said and even if it's just self-deprecating humility).  People like Mattie Stepanek and Monica Jorge (the mother who lost her arms and legs) taught me that there is no need to feel sorry for myself for any reason.  Along the way, I also learned that you should never let a kidnapper take you to a second location, that being fat is not about the food but about some hole you have inside you (okay, I am not really buying that one), that lack of self-esteem makes you do all kinds of crazy shit like staying with an abusive husband, and that you always have to stay true to your authentic self.  Your show also hands-down did the best makeovers.  I seriously love makeovers.  I think maybe it's because of the whole idea of being able to reinvent yourself (the same thing that Madonna stands for) - that you are never stuck being who you are, if you don't like who you are now.  Yeah, I think what I am going to walk away from years of watching Oprah  is that if you can dream it, it can come true.  Dreams are an amazing thing if you behold them.  You just have to open your heart and believe.  So, I too can win a trip to Australia or a car.  But more importantly I too can be someone I am proud to be.  Working on it, Oprah.  Congratulations and best of luck to you and to me and to everyone, Doomsday or not.