Each Friday, Oprah’s Lifeclass is taking us on a journey of joy. Throughout the 25 years of The Oprah Winfrey Show, there have been moments marked with joy that have not just changed peoples lives, but changed our lives as well. Perhaps it’s the feeling in our heart that makes us feel giddy and sing…or perhaps its just the happiness of understanding that others lives are being changed and we are seeing this through Oprah…or perhaps its just that JOY is contagious – “You get some JOY!! You get some JOY!! You get some JOY!!” Friday’s be ready to end your week on a high note and remind yourself how when JOY fills your heart, it’s amazing.

Case Study – Season 24 Kickoff Party – To open Oprah’s 24th season, Chicago closed down Michigan Avenue, lined it with 20,000 dancers and gave Oprah a surprise that she would NEVER forget…and one that we would be singing for years. I love this moment. It still brings tears to me. ANYTIME that I want to change the day, I find the Oprah Flash Mob on YOU TUBE and it turns my day around! “With the energy…we could have electrified the whole world.” Lessons: Uniting of all that energy, harmonizing it, syncing it all up together and letting it rise from every single person in that crowd. Jeff: Life changing experience. Passion unleashed. Unity revealed. Joy rising.

From OWN: Behind the Scenes of the Flash Mob – In 25 years of doing The Oprah Show, Oprah says the best example of joy rising is when 20,000 audience members learned a choreographed dance in just hours for the Season 24 kickoff-party flash mob. Watch as Oprah describes the experience of being onstage while the Black Eyed Peas sang “I Gotta Feeling.”

Case Study – Oprah’s South Africa Christmas – Oprah says that this moment was the first time that she experienced joy rising. In a personal story, Oprah shares about a Christmas when she was 12 and her mother told her that they would not be having a Christmas at their home. At midnight, three nuns showed up with food and toys and more and left Oprah with a lesson that would not just change her life, but would spill out, into the world and change so many lives. One act can change a life. Today’s case study was Oprah taking a Christmas celebration to children in South Africa. Creating a Christmas wonderland…wrapping gifts and putting names on EVERY package because “we wanted them to know that each of them were special.” It’s not about the gifts. It’s the feeling that they matter…and it only takes one time. When you see that somebody cared enough to show you that you matter…that is the greatest thing. Do this for someone…and change their world. Lesson: A giving heart changes the world. Be that change.

From OWN: A Very Merry Christmas in South Africa – In 2002, Oprah generously surprised children in South Africa with toys, sports equipment, dolls and clothing. Oprah explains why receiving clothes was so important for the little ones. Plus, hear why she wants you to feel joy and pass it on

Case Study – Jake Simpson from Star Search and his Stevie Wonder wonderful moment – If performing on the Oprah Winfrey Show isn’t stressful enough, add in a heart stopping surprise. As he was singing and Stevie Wonder came out was wonderful. Amazing moment…you can feel his JOY! Lesson: Surprise JOY is wonderful.

From OWN: Stevie Wonder’s Big Surprise – In 2004, singer Jake Simpson appeared on The Oprah Show, but he had no idea that his idol, Stevie Wonder, was about to surprise him on Oprah’s stage! Watch one of Oprah’s favorite joy-filled moments of all time.

Case Study – Tom Cruise and Nancy – Most will remember Oprah in her bathrobe in the studio telling Nancy that she is going to meet Tom Cruise. Nancy’s natural reaction was just priceless. And sharing that moment with the rest of the world let us feel her JOY. It just makes you happy. And then when they found her at work for the second time, it was fantastic. The happy dance and the reaction was just for much JOY that it’s pouring out. Great moments of joy and great reminders for all of us to find our OWN JOY! Lesson: When you are happy, let is show. Even in a happy dance!

From OWN: How Nancy Met Tom – How Nancy Met Tom Cruise – Oprah made Nancy’s dream come true in 2001 when Oprah invited her to come to The Oprah Show to meet her biggest celebrity crush, Tom Cruise. See Oprah share how they pulled off one of the funniest surprises in the show’s history!

Case Study – Clementine and Claire reunion with their family – A Rowanda survivor…who ran from her life and the genocide in 1994 and not only had she not seen her family in years, but didn’t even know that any of them survived and were alive until 2001…But it wasn’t until Oprah reunited them that the JOY for them all came rushing back in. This is such a beautiful story and this family. These young women are strong, beautiful woman.
Lesson: In life, appreciate everything and everyone in your life every day.

From OWN: Clemantine’s Ultimate Family Reunion – Clemantine, whose family was separated by genocide in Rwanda, appeared on The Oprah Show in 2006 for winning a high school writing contest. But the experience ended up to be much more than Clemantine expected. See what happens when Oprah surprises Clemantine and her sister Claire with the gift of a lifetime.