what it's like to be fa

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In a message dated 11/13/02 12:14:12 PM, Graduate-OSSG writes:

<< what it's like to be fat >>

>>>>>I also think it's possible that she's stated it publicly so many times

now that she's against weight-loss surgery, that she can't go back on it and

change her mind. >>>>>

Well said, and also remember most folks reassess much of what they once

thought as they get older ; they often do change their minds. I remember

poignantly when Oprah canceled her autiobiography ( it was with my publisher,

so heard all about it, it caused a huge wave). When you write a book about

self or family, you relive a lot. As Maya Angelou says, some books cost you

way more than others.

As Oprah wrote, she came up against writing about that she had had a baby at

a very young age, that that child's life was lost. She had been sexually

intruded upon, and there was a period afterward of having lost her sexual

boundaries. All these caused her terrible grief and shame. Even though she

never published the book, she published in another way, ----she told peple

about her life, all of it having to do with long ago.

She definitely changed her mind, and if I know Oprah, she did it becuase she

thought it would help others if she would tell about her own travail and

sorrow. I have nothing but respect for the woman. One thing I would like to

highlight about her that is very different than most others in her position;

she makes others into giants. Something like 50 authors went from obscurity

to making a decent living because of her book club. (Fogive me for not

spelling this right) She made Ilya von Zandt and Dr. and Phil McGraw

and Zukov (whether you like any of these folks or not) and the lady who

wrote the book on how to clean your youse (I NEEED that book immediately,

wait, its here's somewhere, but under which pile??--grin) into household

names by having them on her show over and over again. I mean the list does

go on ad infinitum.

According to a survey I read on beliefnet yesterday, 36% of those surveyed

(we do not know how many-- could have been only 3 people or 30,000,000--got

to be careful to weigh the bases and methodologies for studies) felt Oprah

served as minister to them more so than their own clergyperson.

So there you go. I think she did good by inviting Carnie on, and as we have

mentioned earlier, it is a long road to even get to the door.

love,

ceep