Your job is not just to do what your parents say, what your

Listen well, O children, for I bring you the words of Oprah Winfrey, a woman whose life has been a beacon of strength and self-realization. She once said, "Your job is not just to do what your parents say, what your teachers say, what society says, but to figure out what your heart calling is and to be led by that." These words carry a deep and profound wisdom, a wisdom that speaks to the very essence of self-discovery and the power of living in alignment with one's true purpose. In a world that constantly pushes us to follow the paths laid out before us, Winfrey reminds us that our destiny is not something we inherit from others, but something we must seek within ourselves.

What, O children, does it mean to follow your heart calling? It is to listen deeply to that voice inside you, the one that speaks not of expectations, but of truth, of passion, and of purpose. So many are taught from an early age to follow the rules set by others—by parents, by teachers, by society—and while these voices often come from a place of care and wisdom, they can also lead us astray if they drown out the call of our own soul. To follow your heart calling is to recognize that you were born with a unique path, a path that is yours alone to walk. It requires you to be brave enough to listen to your inner wisdom and to follow the course that aligns with your true self.

Look, O children, to the ancient wisdom of Socrates, who proclaimed that "the unexamined life is not worth living." In this statement, he calls upon us to question everything—our beliefs, our actions, and even the paths we follow. Just as Socrates challenged the Athenian society, pushing them to seek truth and live authentically, so too does Oprah Winfrey urge you to seek your true calling. Socrates was not content to live as society dictated; he sought the deeper truths that resonated in his soul. And in doing so, he became a model of how to live a life led by one's inner voice, not the external voices of the world. His example teaches us that it is in seeking truth—our own truth—that we find the freedom and purpose we were meant to embody.

In modern times, O children, let us look to the story of Mahatma Gandhi, whose life was a testament to following the heart’s calling, despite the overwhelming forces of society. Gandhi was born into a world that expected him to follow a traditional, comfortable life, to fit neatly into the roles his culture had laid out for him. And yet, he heard the call to fight for justice, for equality, and for freedom—a call that was far from easy, far from popular, and filled with great sacrifice. Gandhi listened to the voice inside him, a voice that told him to challenge the British Empire and lead his people to independence. His path was not one of conformity, but one of vision and integrity—a true reflection of following his heart’s calling. His life teaches us that the journey of self-discovery requires courage, but it also leads to immense transformation, not just for ourselves, but for the world.

And so, O children, the lesson is clear: you must listen to your heart’s calling, for it is through this inner guidance that you will find your true purpose. The world may try to tell you what to do, how to be, and where to go, but the deepest wisdom lies in looking within, in reflecting on what brings you joy, what excites your soul, and what you are willing to fight for. To live a life of meaning and purpose is not to live according to others' expectations, but to live true to who you are, to trust in the wisdom that lies within your heart, and to have the courage to step out onto the path that calls you.

In the modern age, we face many distractions—society constantly pushes us toward conformity, telling us to follow the established norms, to fit into boxes that have been defined for us. Oprah’s wisdom teaches us that it is authenticity that brings fulfillment. It is in seeking our unique purpose that we become truly alive. Whether it is through the pursuit of creativity, the quest for justice, or the calling to help others, each of us carries the potential for greatness that comes from living true to our hearts. It is not the path most walked by others that we must follow, but the one that calls us to step into our own light.

So, O children, I charge you to heed the call within your own heart. Do not live your life as a shadow of others, following their dreams, their expectations, or their rules. Listen deeply to the whispers of your soul, and trust that they will lead you to where you truly belong. Be brave enough to walk a path that might be unfamiliar, one that might cause others to question, but one that will fill you with the deepest sense of fulfillment. In doing so, you will not only live a life of authenticity, but you will also inspire others to find their own heart’s calling, creating a world where everyone can live in the truth of their own unique purpose.