Oprah Winfrey, Wit and Wisdom

I was privileged to be in an audience of women business owners when Oprah Winfrey was the keynote speaker. This was in 1990, but I can still see and hear this great female presence, as if she's in the room with me today.

In her speech, she gave us insight into the obstacles she overcame to reach the pinnacle of success to which she had climbed. One of her insights really rang true with me, then as it does today. Women will destroy each other out of jealousy, in different ways than do men, but in manners just as deadly to success for our sisters.

Oprah explained that women will watch a sister climb one rung above others on the ladder to success, and will think, "That's easy. I could do that." The women will watch the sister climb a few more rungs and will again say, "I could do that." As a woman continues to climb, the women surrounding her will not want to work that hard and will simply shake the ladder.

I live in the United Sates of America. I am a white woman, considered in some cultures, good looking. I had opportunities presented to me by the many social revolutions which influenced my country during my adolescent and young adult years. This does not mean that I haven't overcome huge obstacles to get where I am today. I am willing to share my insights, but only with those who don't want to shake my personal ladder. I am 63 years old and could break a hip.

I have opened my heart to share my story with any World Pulse sisters who wish guidance from my experience. Sadly, there have been some who seem to feel threatened by my voice. There are even some who seem to feel that there is a competition for which sister has suffered the most. Unless, and until, women can simply listen with the ears of gratitude, taking in what they need and silently discarding the rest, we will never be able to fully learn the lessons of each other. Where is the honor that societies ascribe to men of supposed wisdom (preachers, priests, prophets, politicians, etc.)?

Women will not succeed until we stop fighting each other, and honor the wit and wisdom of our living women who have proven lives of overcoming obstacles. To honor doesn't mean blind acceptance and agreement. It simply means hearing and thinking about what to manifest and what to discard. Both should be done with gratitude to the one who opens her mind and memory to share with you.