Oprah Winfrey Dishes On Finding Joy In ‘The Little Things’

Oprah Winfrey continues to inspire people with her success, influence, and wisdom. And she’s dishing on how, despite what some may think, she finds great pleasure in celebrating “the little things” and always practicing gratitude.

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Oprah Says She’s Been Journaling Since She Was 15 Years Old

The 69-year-old star spoke on the subject during a sit-down with PEOPLE, and she started by sharing that she’s “one of the happiest people” she knows. However, while she has it all and “live[s] a big life,” Oprah says, “it’s the simplest things” that please her the most.

“I am one of the happiest people I know, but not in the same way that most people would expect. By that, I mean I live a big life, but it’s the simplest things that bring me the greatest joy.”

Winfrey said that “gratitude has always been [her] core” before noting that she continues to hold onto journals she’s used since her teenage years. When journaling, Oprah stated, “I always end with the five things that I’m grateful for.”

“I’ve been journaling since I was 15; I still have my journals from when I was 15. I always end with the five things that I’m grateful for.”

Winfrey Says “Everyone” Is Looking To Be Validated & Understood

Continuing with the gratitude, Oprah Winfrey acknowledged some recent moments she cherishes. One such instance was helping the residents of Maui, where she reportedly purchased hundreds of acres earlier this year.

“I’m grateful that I could be of help in Lahaina, because I’d gone delivering some things, solar generators. Grateful for the two-hour, 22-minute hike to the fence line. Grateful to be reading with Sade, who’s one of my daughter girls from South Africa, on the north porch.”

Of course, she noted being extra grateful for “the little things,” including “suds in the bath” and “crisp clean sheets.”

As for what people can do to “share happiness with others,” Winfrey says that she’s learned that receiving attention and validation is essential for anyone.

“I really learned, from all those years of interviewing people one-on-one, that one of the greatest gifts you can give to anybody is your full attention. One of the threads for me for all those years of listening was that all humans are looking to be validated. No matter what the show was, whether it was Senator Obama, or Beyoncé, or somebody who had overcome cancer.”

Driving this point home, Oprah added, “At the end of every one of those interviews, in one form or another, someone always said, ‘Was that okay? How was that? Was that good?’”

She explained, “I translate it to mean, did you hear me, and did what I say matter? Being able to understand that, that is what everybody is looking for.”

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