Alright. I admit it. I rushed home from the office yesterday to watch the final episode of ‘Oprah’. Off and on over the years I have tuned into this show and have watched the gradual transformation of, not only the show, but the woman. I have admired the ways in which Oprah encouraged a pursuit of reading and the birth of book clubs and conversation around the interpretation of books. I have often seen her speak boldly to people who needed it and be gracious and kind to those who most would have turned their backs on. I have been amazed at her generosity. I would only hope that if such fortune ever came my way, I would be as gracious and thoughtful with my resources.With others, I have watched her battle the demon of weight control and seen the inspiration she has been to so many.
People may disagree with me but what I have come to see, to believe, is that Oprah grew into a fine preacher. She used words like ‘calling’ and ‘redemption’ and ‘transformation’ in ways most Sunday morning preachers do. But she was heard in a different way. From the safety of the brightly colored, soft and comfy looking living room set, she spoke of God, even Jesus, without seeming to exclude anyone. She was always upfront about it. Never apologized for speaking about her faith to what she knew was her diverse audience. She spoke of the hardship of her life while welcoming others to do the same. She also spoke openly of the privilege that she now has and how she understands her responsibility to be a good steward of what has come her way. I often watched as she used the tools of any good preacher to bring people to a deeper understanding of a topic but mostly of themselves.
On her final show she graciously spoke of all that the audience had given her. One of the most profound sections of the show recounted a woman who had had a stroke and was unable to speak. The woman was a psychologist and told of how the doctors had come into her room and spoke about her as if she wasn’t there, saying things that no thoughtful person would say in the presence of another if they thought the person could hear. Contrasted were her family and friends who spoke words of love and encouragement as they surrounded her with love and compassion. Through this experience the woman, who is now recovered, spoke of how each of us are energy, vibrant electrical beings, who carry the ability to effect others in negative and positive ways. She had given Oprah a large card that had been hanging in her makeup room. It simply said: “Please be responsible for the energy you bring into the room.”
When Oprah reported these words, words which had come to guide not only her but her staff, I reflected back on all the times I have been in a meeting where the energy in the room was so negative it seemed impossible to do good work of any kind. I thought about the times when I have been surrounded by the energy of people who are so loving and caring it seemed we all might levitate. I was reminded of the times I have carried negative, hurtful energy into a situation only to have the gathering implode before my very eyes.
We are all energy and we carry energy into every encounter, every meeting, every relationship, every conversation. It is an awesome responsibility if we take it seriously. What kind of energy are you carrying today? Is it energy that will serve the world for good? Or will it cause more harm to an already troubled time? Perhaps it is time to take stock. To consider the way our energy, the energy of each human being, is helping to bring healing and hope this day. I truly believe none of us would want to carry an energy that would have the power to hurt another.
So perhaps today, this minute, is the time to print these words on our doors, on the palms of our hands, on our fragile hearts: “Please be responsible for the energy you bring into the room.”