The Oprah Show: Luck or Intention?

“Luck favors those who believe they are lucky.” — Unknown

Vision boards

When I lived in Florida, I worked in an office. On lunch breaks, I would slip off to empty conference rooms to make vision boards with friends. A vision board is a tool you can use to manifest your wildest fantasies.

One of my vision boards was dedicated to my dream destinations. Travel ignites the fire buried deep within my core. I took a pair of scissors and cut up pretty images of places I wanted to visit. Lovingly, I tacked each picture onto a corkboard. As I painted my travel wish list, I laughed with friends and kept an eye on the door. I was never quite sure how to explain vision boards to corporate America.

My vision board was a collage of countries, cities, and nature. A smile played upon my lips, as I imported myself into these magical places. At the time, my vision board was only a dream. There were no trips on my horizon.

I created my vision board in June. Alaska was the focal point. A few weeks later, the opportunity to travel to Alaska magically appeared. In September, I explored Alaska.

Playful manifestation

A few months later, I was curious. What if I put something impossible in the center of my vision board? Would my dream materialize? What wish of mine was impossible? I had always wanted to see the Oprah Show. Could I manifest tickets to see her live in Chicago? I decided to find out. Thus, I cut out a picture of Oprah, and put her smack dab in the middle of my corkboard. I playfully rolled my eyes and laughed at myself.

In December, I went to visit friends from Chicago in North Captiva. My friend, L, suggested I visit her in Chicago. I jokingly said, “I would love to see you in Chicago. Do you know what would be even more amazing? If we could coordinate my trip with tickets to the Oprah Show.” She giggled at my outlandish proposition.

An unexpected opportunity

The following year, the economy crashed. My company laid associates off, and I had survivor guilt. The air around me was thick with grief, and I had rocks in my stomach. I wondered when life would be normal, again.

My phone rang, with a very unexpected twist. The familiar voice on the other end was, L. She asked, “What are you doing on Thursday? Do you want to fly to Chicago and see the Oprah Show with me?” A friend had given her a chance of a lifetime, two tickets to the Oprah Show.

I pondered, ‘Do I dare ask my boss for time off when a few days ago my company slashed so many? How can I be so selfish?’ However, the fire burned inside. I knew this opportunity was one in a million.

First, I looked into the logistics. With such short notice, flights would be astronomical. As luck would have it, I had a flight voucher. I knew my heart would ache if I said, “No.” I swallowed the lump in my throat and knocked on my manager’s door, succumbing to the passion within.

Hello, Oprah

A few days later, I was sitting in Oprah’s studio, with L. My legs were jittery, my voice was animated, and my smile reached my eyes. The ticking of the clock felt like years, as I waited patiently.

Finally, Oprah made her appearance. Her guests were via Skype, and one of her dogs had passed. She apologized for her lackluster energy. My heart went out to her for her loss, but I was happy to see Oprah in person. Her charismatic energy still carried the room, despite her recent loss. I left her show, walking on water.

Luck or manifestation?

Did I get lucky, or did the universe grant my wish? Did my vision board and detachment from my goal pave the way to see Oprah? Or, did the tickets land in my path by chance?

I believe a dream I had carried for more than a decade came to life when I put my intention out there. Believe to receive.