Recently, I discovered that my mom is an avid--albeit, unlikely--reader of Oprah's "O" Magazine. She doesn't watch The Oprah show, but she subscribes to the monthly magazine and litters the house with old copies. As far as my mom is concerned, each issue is a cellulose shrine to wellness, self love and a commitment to bettering one's self.

And I admit it--I'm convinced. Convinced that Oprah is the empress of all humanity, the quasi-spiritual heart of this nation. Her personal story, and her ongoing quest for self-improvement, is a beacon of hope for millions of middle-aged American women.

So, while visiting my mom in Connecticut this past Thanksgiving, I read through a couple issues of "O" to see what all the fuss was about. In each issue, Oprah closes the magazine with a personal column entitled "What I know for sure." (The mere act of closing your magazine--the one named after you--with a personal column bestowing knowledge that you, alone, declare to be true is proof enough of the cult of "0"). Here are some gems from a recent "best of" column: [I've selected 10 of 20 provided]

1. Whatever someone did to you in the past has no power over the present. Only you give it power.

2. Worrying is wasted time. Use the same energy for doing something about whatever worries you.

3. The happiness you feel is in direct proportion to the love you give.

4. Failure is a signpost to turn you in another direction.

5. Doubt means don't. Don't move. Don't answer. Don't rush forward.

6. Trust your instincts. Intuition doesn't lie.

7. When you don't know what to do, get still. The answer will come.

8. What you believe has more power than what you dream or wish or hope. You become what you believe.

9. Every day brings a chance to start over.

10. "Trouble don't last always."

Amen to that. I don't know about you, but I'm grateful that Oprah lives and breathes and is a major force in our culture. She's relentlessly optimistic. She has faith in all of us. People think she should run for office, but I think she should start the next mega church. I'd be the first to sign up.

And now some random tunes that I think Oprah would approve of:

1. "Another Day" - Jamie Lidell
2. "Waterfall" - The Stone Roses
3. "I Don't Know Enough About You" - Peggy Lee