Every week, Oprah is setting an intention exclusively for Oprah Daily Insiders, with reflections on topics like letting go, forgiveness, coming into your own, and more.

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I hope you are all having a restorative weekend. Recently, I visited Morehouse College, the prestigious men’s HBCU in Atlanta, to surprise twelve seniors in the Oprah Winfrey Scholars program at their pre-graduation dinner. I started this program all the way back in 1989 as a way to empower the next generation of community leaders, and now, 37 years later, I can say without a doubt that it is my proudest investment.

Notice that I said investment, not gift. My father raised me to never put anything on credit, to never buy something that I could not afford outright. So ever since I started making enough money to have some sway, I’ve put it in two buckets. The first is the “risk bucket,” which is what I can afford to potentially lose. The second is the “savings bucket,” which I cannot. And as I explained to those young men last week, the Oprah Winfrey Scholars are in my “save bucket.”

Oprah with F. DuBois Bowman, the President of Morehouse College, and Gayle’s “Favorite Son,” Will Bumpus, who is the Executive Director of OWCF (Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation)

I knew back in 1989, and I know even more deeply now, that supporting them through their education is the most sound investment I could ever make. In graduating, they are fulfilling the dreams of their ancestors and honoring everyone who ever poured love, support, and prayers into them. I can’t wait to see what they do next.

Insiders, can you think of an investment someone made in you? It doesn’t have to be financial. Maybe someone invested their time when you needed it, or their energy into teaching you a skill you now value. And if so, how can you pay it forward? Who or what can you invest in?

I look forward to hearing what this brings up for you.

Be well.

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