"Merry Christmas from my house to yours!"—Oprah

"Look what I just gathered. Chickens are workin'."—Oprah

Some days, work isn't work at all, and last Friday was one of those days.

Ten of America's best Olympic Legends minus Bruce Jenner whom I'd just recently interviewed at his home, joined me at my home to talk sports and life: What it means to take the deepest dives, run your best race, triple twirl in midair and land on your feet, solid.

WOW! The day was filled with new ahas. I have such new found respect for the sacrifice and determination it takes to be world class... to be an Olympian. I thought I had some idea. I've interviewed every one of these athletes before throughout the years of the Oprah show, but never like this. I did 8 hours straight one on one and walked away wanting to do better and be better. I will for sure see the Olympics now with a different set of eyes and consciousness.

I often say my goal in life is to fulfill the highest truest expression of myself as a human being. What I realized is these Olympic athletes actually fulfill that mission daily.

What it takes to be a champion is what we're all looking for. Don't you think? Don't you want to be a champion mother? A champion spouse and friend? A champion in your passion and pursuits? Don't you want every day of your life to be a personal best?

That for sure is what I continue to strive for.

I thought I was driven. But just like standing with the Miami HEAT in my highest heels 2 weeks ago, I still came up short. These guys are in a class all by themselves. Their champion drive and spirit ignites the champion spirit within us all that makes us want to pull for them and REACH for ourselves.

That's why coming together every four years, the nations of the world, putting aside our differences in beliefs, and practices with our eye on the prize of excellence is such a monumental move in the direction of what is good and true. That's the real spirit of the Olympics.

This was one of the best conversations of my career with some of the best people of our species. They've made records and broken them. They have matured with the wisdom and perspective of what it takes to be defined as the GREATEST in their field. And know what it takes to walk away and create a new life and still fill whole, to start their own Next Chapter.

You can watch a preview here: http://youtu.be/aeGL9zDTtZM

They are all going to London to cheer on their favorites for 2012 and talk about who to watch and who they're rooting for. I'll be cheering from the sofa in my family room. Join me and celebrate these Legends as they share the secrets of creating HUMAN ART through athletics. I was literally soaring after a full day with these Champions. I feel fortified from being in their presence. I think you'll feel the same. NEXT CHAPTER Sunday July 22nd at 8pm ET.

I don't know about you, but I really enjoy seeing how other people live.  Since I was a girl leaving church on Sunday in my father's big ole green Oldsmobile, I always wanted to take the long way home so we could see the neighborhoods with the pretty houses. Did you ever play that game with yourself, picking the big fancy house you most wanted to live in and pretending  it was yours?  I used to do that a lot. Now I'm blessed to live in a big fancy house and some days I still can't believe I live here. I often get goosebumps just walking across the lawn with my dogs. Walking barefoot in grass makes me happy. Add some trees, preferably oaks and I'm ecstatic. I delight in simple pleasures in beautiful settings. The pic below is one of my favorite places on earth. My side yard, with my reading , praying, meditation chair.  No matter where I go in the world, my heart rests most easy here.

I'm curious about what spaces do for other people, that's one of several reasons I traveled to the Bahamas to have an extensive conversation with The one and only David Copperfield who owns a total of 11 islands -- now called the Islands of Copperfield Bay.  Talk about living LARGE!  Breathtaking, tranquil, fantastic just begins to describe it all.  He works like a slave, 600 shows a year. And lives like he earned and deserves every amenity. The place was so beautiful I wanted to take home the shower gels. I thought that would be tacky, so I just took a picture to remind me to buy it myself.

Join me for a great conversation with the world's greatest magician David Copperfield in his exquisitely private magical space this Sunday at 10p ET on NEXT CHAPTER.

—Oprah

Talked to the HEAT yesterday.  Wow was that interesting - getting to talk to LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh just a few days after their great NBA victory. Was sitting in front of my TV during Game 4 of the finals and thought if they win, this will be triple sweet for them after all the naysayers and hoopla surrounding last year's defeat.

So we called and they said Yes; Come on down to Miami after the parade.

It was clear to me, and will be to you too, that this Championship is not just about basketball but so much more. We talked about how sweet it is to prove "I told you so" to yourself.

NEXT CHAPTER this Sunday night at 8/7c.

—Oprah

So glad you're loving WILD by Cheryl Strayed! Thanks for making it the #1 E-book in non-fiction on the New York Times Book Review this week.  I've read so many of your posts about the book.  What Loree Libby posted on June 13th sums up my feelings too: "It's a book every woman can relate to on some level."  Loree says she's recommending to her daughters and all her friends. That's the beauty of a great book.  You want others to share the experience.  In this 2.0 world we can do that in an instant.

In one month you can see my conversation with Cheryl about this great WILD experience on Super Soul Sunday on OWN. Make note July 22 at 11am eastern AND simulcast on the web. Very 2.0!

Happy reading,

Oprah

Dear Friends, 

I'm so excited to tell you that for the first time starting this week we will be simulcasting SUPER SOUL SUNDAY around the world on the web.

SUPER SOUL SUNDAY is my favorite show on OWN and the real reason I wanted a network.  My conversation with spiritual "intuitive" Carolyn Myss was so insightful, inspirational and filled with multiple AHA moments for me, I wanted to find a way to expand the platform so that SEEKERS around the world could all share at the same time. This show is for those of you who want affirmation and inspiration for walking the path to a better life.

What I know for sure, we're all on the same Human Road, and whether you're in your 20's and trying to figure things out, as @CoWayBo tweeted me recently, or if you think you've got it all figured out and just need assurance SUPER SOUL SUNDAY will surely bring you insights that will bring you greater clarity, direction and ultimately purpose. Who doesn't want more of that? I do. That's why I continue to reach for the teachers who've been inspirational in my own life and others who I think can bring spiritual perspective to our human condition. 

So, calling all who seek Happiness, Wellness, Fullness and JOY!...Join me this Sunday for an encore of DeVon Franklin at 10am. Those of you who saw him no there's no hyperbole when I say he is GREAT!  Followed by an all new Carolyn Myss at 11am. These are eastern times, adjust according to where you are in the world.

Then Facebook your comments afterwords. I'm building a network and need your feedback, on OWN of course.

Reair of DeVon Franklin at 10a eastern.

Second hour, all-new SUPER SOUL SUNDAY with Carolyn Myss at 11a eastern.

Simulcast on Facebook and Oprah.com.

Grateful for your support,

Oprah

Ok my friends I had the longest interviewing session I can ever recall, talking to ALLLLLLLL the Kardashians. I had never met them, nor seen the show. I did a full on Kardashian Kram in preparation, watching major shows from every season. I genuinely wanted to know why they have become a cultural phenomenon? Why do so many people love to watch their every move and why do so many others love to hate them.  Are they completely ego centered? Are they really "famous for being famous" or is there something more?

I "GOT IT" ... those  answers  +more.  Those of you who watch the show know they hold nothing back. This interview I'd say was another level of forthrightness and honesty.  Who surprised me the most?  Scott. Lamar and Khloe. Kim.

Everyone who's asked was the marriage a publicity stunt? Why did she leave after 72 days?  Her answer leveled me.

Please note that this show will air Sunday at 8/7 central not it's usual time. Followed by Part 2 of my conversation with 50 Cent at 9/8c where he talks about things you wouldn't imagine coming from him.  Meditation.  Outgrowing his audience.  What really matters now.  I had a great eye opening experience with him and released a lot of my preconceived notions and judgement. I'm loving this NEXT CHAPTER I get to do for myself what I intended for you the audience: Open the heart space, expand the way we see things, especially each other.

A great day on OWN beginning with Super SOUL Sunday at 11am/10c with Devon Franklin (thanks for your many "likes" on that one) hope you'll tune in. An insightful visit with the Kardashians, every single one of them except 2 year old Mason.  Then FIF.

—Oprah