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Over the years, I have not been as faithful an Oprah viewer as many others. School, work, and living abroad limited my ability to do so at times. Yet, when possible, I watched and especially enjoyed doing so with my Mother. When Oprah announced the launch of her OWN network in 2011, I was curious to see what it was all about. A year later, I am now a devoted viewer.

I have enjoyed her “Next Chapter” interviewers with Curtis Jackson, Steven Tyler, and Lady Gaga to name a few. My favourite show on her new network, however, is Oprah’s Lifeclass. With the goal to help her viewing audience to lead a better life, I was captivated by the weekly broadcasts and watched them faithfully. Such topics as “You Become What You Believe,” “The Truth Will Set You Free,” “The False Power of Ego,” and “Living with Purpose” have been examined. Then Oprah took her Lifeclass on the road and to my disbelief Toronto was to be one of the destinations!

My friend Dee and I went to the Toronto taping and it was the perfect best friend outing. We got up at 5am to get to the Toronto Metro Convention Centre where the event was being held so as to get a decent seat. We got there only to discover that thousands of other women had the same idea. I’ve lived in Toronto now for seven years and have attended some large stadium shows, but nothing prepared me for this.....8,500 people were in attendance at the show. The line up were blocks long and seemed never ending, but surprisingly we were inside sitting down before we know it. We were *nowhere* near the stage but I was just happy to be there all the same - happy to have the experience of being there – and happy to be there with my best friend.

The theme of the Lifeclass we attended was “Gratitude.” Prior to the actual taping with Oprah, there were one hour segments with Deepak Chopra, Iyanla Vanzant, Tony Robbins, and Bishop T.D. Jakes. Each addressed various aspects of gratitude in their own unique way. Deepak was the first to speak and his soft hypnotic voice made me relax to the point I almost fell asleep. I had just returned from two weeks at home due to a family medical emergency. I was therefore tired and emotionally drained. But the timing could not have been better. I was grateful and I knew the day’s sessions would make me examine my own perceptions of gratitude on a deeper level.

Tony Robbins had us all jumping up and down and fist pumping. I recall looking at Dee and saying “Yah, I am not so into this” to which she just laughed. Being the only women on the panel, Iyanla Vanzant had a maternal viewpoint that was unique. It was Bishop T.D. Jakes talk, however, that really resonated with me. Chief Pastor of The Potter’s House mega church in Dallas, Texas, this man had a presence on stage and delivered a sermon like I had never heard before. He said many things that made me think about my life and my faith in many new ways. The first thing that struck me was when he said “God loves us through other people.” I found this so comforting. Other quotes I wrote down during the show include:

• I am grateful for coincidences and where they have led.
• Expectation that isn’t met is where pain comes from. Change your expectation and the world will change for you.
• Be conscious of the energy you bring to a room.
• The only true belief you have is your infinite potential.
• Be grateful for what you have vs. what you don’t have. If you are grateful for what you have more will come.
• Problems are the gift that makes us dig in.
• Life happens not to me – but for me.
• The sinner and the saint are merely changing notes.
• The world is a university and everybody we meet is a teacher. Be sure you go to school every day.

Before we knew it, Oprah was on the stage. Wearing a red dress, she looked radiant and seemed very excited and happy to be in Toronto. I have been at live TV tapings before, but will say that this live taping was particularly interesting. Yes, she’s made a career of being in front of the camera and has done it for many years, but I was still surprised at how relaxed Oprah was and how effortless her interaction with the audience was in commercial breaks. I was also surprised that she moved throughout the floor of the Metro Centre during the taping and before we knew it, she was right beside us. Dee managed to get a photo of her but I just stood there and took it in. As she walked by us en route to another location, I will admit I was a little awe struck – but not to the point of others. It shocked me to see how crazy people acted. Some were shouting, others crying, and many were pushing in an attempt to get closer, get a better look, get – something. I will admit this was somewhat disturbing – especially in a crowd of 8,500 people. I don’t know if anyone got hurt, but there certainly was potential for it to easily happen.

When the taping ended, we realized we had been there for seven hours. It was exhausting, but a once in a lifetime experience. I was tired going, and even more tired leaving, but I was “grateful” for every minute of it. The experience reminded me of everything in my life I was grateful for – and to focus on this.

Be grateful for all that you have.