Oprah Urges Us to Channel Our Frustration Into Determination

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Every week, Oprah is setting an intention—exclusively for Oprah Insiders—with reflections on themes like letting go, forgiveness, coming into your own, and more. Every day this week, you can find tips on how to help boost your determination and willpower, inspired by Oprah's favorite new movie King Richard.

Hey y'all!

Have you seen King Richard? Well our family watched and loved it. So our intention for this week comes from that biopic, which is out now in theaters or you can stream it on HBO Max, like we did. It tells the story of Richard Williams, the father and former coach of tennis greats Venus and Serena Williams. Will Smith is incredible as Richard Williams.

Many of us know the stories of these record-breaking women well, but as the movie shows us, it was actually Richard who instilled in them this passion and unyielding focus to become the Venus and the Serena that we know today. I watched Will transform on-screen into a father raising young girls in the '80s. 1980s Compton, California. And in King Richard we see the Williams sisters’ father transfer the rage that he lived with as a Black man in America—dealing with inequality and setbacks many days of his life—and turn it into determination that his family would have better. That they would be better. That they would do better. And that determination came through tennis.

So I came away from King Richard so proud. It’s just one of the best films about a Black family, if not the best film I’ve ever seen. I can't remember anything that gave me more pride—in what Richard was able to accomplish, perhaps because I saw my own father in him. My dad, Vernon Winfrey, an honorable, hardworking man. When I was a teenage girl, he took responsibility for me when he honestly did not have to do that. But his will to be a present and supportive force in my life helped someone who once felt unloved and unworthy become the woman you all know today. So I was determined, as my father was determined for me to have a better life, I was also determined to have a better life. To do better. Be better. And the answer to my own determination was being able to use my voice.

So as you sit down with your family and your friends and you watch King Richard over the holidays, if you haven't already, I hope you too feel a sense of pride. That you’re able to, like Richard, identify your frustrations and channel them into a determination that will not only make a difference in your life, but better the lives of your loved ones.

Will and determination. Our intention starters for the week. Your good will and your determination.

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