I asked last week what you thought of giveaways. I loved the feedback – thank you for taking the time to be clear and honest with me about it. It’s a tricky issue. And thank you for the suggestion to tie giveaways in with giving to those in more need than those of us reading this site.

via The Trendhunter

Since I have no need for the pink diamond necklace Oprah’s team sent recently (the one valued at $450 and handed out during her visit), I thought I’d give it away. Sort of.

I just got this pic sent to me from Tito Media, one of the paparazzi photo companies. The shot sums up my week.

1. I saw Oprah. I loved that a few of her “ultimate guests” read my blog and contacted me to say hi. A shout out to Jocelyn xxx

2. I got talked into getting Love Those Lashes lash extensions. Not usually my thing. I’m not an extension/fussy/lie-down-and-have-a-beauty-treatment kind of lady. But it’s saved me wearing makeup all week. I’m sans slap in this pic…but it doesn’t look it. Marvellous.

3. I rode to Oprah, at the Opera House, which was very handy given the rest of the 6000-strong crowd had to queue to get cabs afterwards. This is a fave bike riding outfit – stretch Gstar jeans (high enough in waist so plumber’s crack not divulged to traffic behind me), singlets (for breathability) and my sling over shoulder bag (holds my laptop; from Country Road). Anyway, this week saw a very large number of passionate bike helmet comments flood to my blog. Read up here.

4. I got good news. Which is why I’m smiling. I’d just found out I’m hosting 7pm Project – filling in for Carrie – later in the month. Very, very excited.

Have a smooth Friday!

xxx

PS You might’ve heard me mention Jo, my assistant. Jo doesn’t know I’m about to put this pic up. She will soon. This is Jo:

I was in the audience just now for the screening of Oprah’s Ultimate Australian Adventure. Phenomenal. By now you’d know about Hugh smashing his eye. And Nicole and Keith and Livvie and Russ and Hugh singing “Still call Australia Home”. I cried through a lot of it. Such a wonderful, big energy. No one – not even all those male media journalists who seem intent on describing her fans as “middle-aged” and with “muffin tops” – could help but be thoroughly enrolled in her care and energy. It ain’t fake.

What you perhaps didn’t hear is Oprah’s warm sign-off (off camera, just to the audience). She invited us to:

“Life your life on purpose”

As in, live your life like you really mean it. Not floppily. Not like it’s something you’ve got to get through, to tick off. Forget all the other advice you might be following, this is it. This is a mantra at the core of all the others. And simpler, and kinder and more generous.

It’s about anchoring your presence, stepping out with certainty, saying what you mean, doing things because they matter. And dropping off all the stuff that’s just filler and fluff and froth.

To do this doesn’t involve waiting for the right moment, or writing a list, or making a big deal of things, or changing jobs, or having a sea change. It’s starting now. Live life like you really mean it. Give a shit about what you’re doing right now. There’s no run up required. No dress rehearsal. No special conditions.

Be certain, solid, bold as you wash the dishes, put the kids to bed, write your to-do list for tomorrow.

Then you will live your life on purpose, as in on target, in keeping with your life’s purpose.

I’m going home now to eat dinner like I mean it. And skype a friend in Brazil who’s been on mind. You?