Sometimes life throws you unexpected detours that lead you towards a new adventure. You do not understand it at the time. It can be sometimes painful yet in some unexpected way, grace manifests itself through the cracks. Such is what happened to me in March 2012. Upon returning from my travels around the world (seven years of living overseas), I returned back to my home country and embarked on an unwavering expedition. Suddenly, and completely unexpectedly, an amazing dream came true.
While sitting in a coffee shop in Cologne Germany, I entered a contest by the HARPO staff. The winner of the contest would be invited to attend an OPRAH Lifeclass taping in St. Louis. I was reluctant to enter because I honestly could not imagine that I would win. I mean, really... I never win anything! I submitted my name and continued drinking my grande soya latte, not giving it another thought.
Weeks later, I received an email from the HARPO staff informing me that I had had won tickets to see the OPRAH Lifeclass taping in St.Louis. I received this email in the middle of the night while staying at a friend's house. I wanted to scream and shout and tell everyone that I had won this contest but I didn't as people were sleeping. I had to wait till morn to share this amazing news.
Although I was happy that I won, the reality of this began to sink in. I could not afford at this particular time to go to St.Louis. After much thought, I decided that I would tell the producers that although this was a dream come true, the reality of my financial situations would not permit me to go. I was so disappointed that I could not go that I did not even watch the episode.
A few days later I was notified by the producers that Oprah's Lifeclass was coming to Toronto! The producers were looking for interesting reflections on the topic of forgiveness. If the story would be picked, it could be featured on the show. Given some of my own personal history surrounding the topic, I wrote true and from the heart. I remember feeling like it was the most honest piece that I had ever written. Again, not expecting anything, I received a phone call from the HARPO producer asking me more detailed questions about my story. The phone call led to several interviews/auditions with various people from production assistants to producers. Finally, I spoke with one of the main producers on the show. Upon hearing the story, she told me that she LOVED my story and wanted to feature me and my story on the upcoming live show in Toronto. Although she could not promise anything (she would have to pitch it to the team of producers), she did offer me a free ticket to the upcoming show. I, of course (dying inside), was overjoyed with glee and asked one question: Can I bring my mother? Since I was a teenager, being able to bring my mother to an OPRAH show was a dream of mine. The producer was flattered and without hesitation, gave me two free tickets in the VIP section.
Unfortunately, I did not make it on that show as "the show chose another direction", but I was given the royal treatment by the HARPO staff. We were given our own seats with our names on it (WOW!) , we were escorted to our seats and we got to sit in one of the front rows. Honestly, we were so close to the stage that I couldn't believe it. It was an amazing day and by the end of it all, I was incredibly exhausted. Definitely, a highlight of my LIFE!
Fortunately the story does not end there. Weeks after this show, the producers contacted me again interviewing me for a chance to be featured as an OPRAH International Skype Panelist. After a series of questions and interviews, I was chosen and was featured on the show. I contributed to a discussion on a woman's role in society and received an applause from Ms. Winfrey and the audience. Truly an amazing experience!
What did I learn from all of this? I learned that life offers you moments of incredible grace at the times you need it the most. I also learned that I look really good in orange. I also learned that sharing your heart and your vulnerability can be so incredibly empowering, especially when that vulnerability helps others to feel that they too are not alone in their struggles.
I will never forget my experience of being in talks with the Lifeclass producers for personal and professional work that I had done, watching Oprah LIVE with my mother, and feeling a sense of pride in being able to share my thoughts on international television regarding a topic that resonates with so many women in society.
While sitting in a coffee shop in Cologne Germany, I entered a contest by the HARPO staff. The winner of the contest would be invited to attend an OPRAH Lifeclass taping in St. Louis. I was reluctant to enter because I honestly could not imagine that I would win. I mean, really... I never win anything! I submitted my name and continued drinking my grande soya latte, not giving it another thought.
Weeks later, I received an email from the HARPO staff informing me that I had had won tickets to see the OPRAH Lifeclass taping in St.Louis. I received this email in the middle of the night while staying at a friend's house. I wanted to scream and shout and tell everyone that I had won this contest but I didn't as people were sleeping. I had to wait till morn to share this amazing news.
Although I was happy that I won, the reality of this began to sink in. I could not afford at this particular time to go to St.Louis. After much thought, I decided that I would tell the producers that although this was a dream come true, the reality of my financial situations would not permit me to go. I was so disappointed that I could not go that I did not even watch the episode.
A few days later I was notified by the producers that Oprah's Lifeclass was coming to Toronto! The producers were looking for interesting reflections on the topic of forgiveness. If the story would be picked, it could be featured on the show. Given some of my own personal history surrounding the topic, I wrote true and from the heart. I remember feeling like it was the most honest piece that I had ever written. Again, not expecting anything, I received a phone call from the HARPO producer asking me more detailed questions about my story. The phone call led to several interviews/auditions with various people from production assistants to producers. Finally, I spoke with one of the main producers on the show. Upon hearing the story, she told me that she LOVED my story and wanted to feature me and my story on the upcoming live show in Toronto. Although she could not promise anything (she would have to pitch it to the team of producers), she did offer me a free ticket to the upcoming show. I, of course (dying inside), was overjoyed with glee and asked one question: Can I bring my mother? Since I was a teenager, being able to bring my mother to an OPRAH show was a dream of mine. The producer was flattered and without hesitation, gave me two free tickets in the VIP section.
Unfortunately, I did not make it on that show as "the show chose another direction", but I was given the royal treatment by the HARPO staff. We were given our own seats with our names on it (WOW!) , we were escorted to our seats and we got to sit in one of the front rows. Honestly, we were so close to the stage that I couldn't believe it. It was an amazing day and by the end of it all, I was incredibly exhausted. Definitely, a highlight of my LIFE!
Fortunately the story does not end there. Weeks after this show, the producers contacted me again interviewing me for a chance to be featured as an OPRAH International Skype Panelist. After a series of questions and interviews, I was chosen and was featured on the show. I contributed to a discussion on a woman's role in society and received an applause from Ms. Winfrey and the audience. Truly an amazing experience!
What did I learn from all of this? I learned that life offers you moments of incredible grace at the times you need it the most. I also learned that I look really good in orange. I also learned that sharing your heart and your vulnerability can be so incredibly empowering, especially when that vulnerability helps others to feel that they too are not alone in their struggles.
I will never forget my experience of being in talks with the Lifeclass producers for personal and professional work that I had done, watching Oprah LIVE with my mother, and feeling a sense of pride in being able to share my thoughts on international television regarding a topic that resonates with so many women in society.