Oprah and Edwina Findley Dickerson on Manifesting Life’s Dream for You

Hey everybody, thank you for listening. to the Oprah podcast and hello to you. watching on YouTube. I am happy to be. here with you and we are living in some. defining times, challenging times and we. can all feel that it's understandable if. you're starting to in your life feel. overwhelmed. That's why I'm interested. in having conversations with people who. can give us a positive, a new. perspective, a fresh take at some of the. issues holding us back in life. And on.

this episode, we're asking the question, do you feel stuck? Have you lost sight. of the big dreams that you once had for. yourself? And maybe, just maybe, you've. decided to just settle for whatever you. think is in this moment and let those. dreams fall by the wayside. Well, my. guest today is going to inspire you to. reconnect with what she calls your God. dream and the belief that your story is. far from over. In fact, your most. powerful chapters may still lie ahead.

Her new book is the world is waiting for. you. Embrace your calling and manifest. the God dream over your life. Welcome to. the tea house, Edwina and Lee Dickerson. >> Thank you, Oprah. I'm so happy to be. here with you. >> Edwina Finley Dickerson is an. award-winning actress, a loving mother, a devoted wife, and motivational. speaker. In 2002, Edwina got her start. in Hollywood with her breakout role as.

Tasha in HBO's groundbreaking series The. Wire. She later starred in Tyler Perry's. hit drama, If Loving You Is Wrong on. Own. >> Then when all of this falls apart, you are going to regret it. Most. recently, Edwina played the critically. acclaimed role of Sheila in Shondaanda. Rimes' hit Netflix series, The. Residence. >> I have no idea why he says this. Zero, none. Edwina's dear friend and mentor, Academy Award winner Viola Davis writes.

the forward for Edwina's debut book, The. World Is Waiting for You. In the book, Edwina reveals how every success and. milestone in her life was foreshadowed. by what she calls divine signs. and she. explains how you can recognize the. divine signs in your own life. >> Sometimes we just have to live with a. certain level of awareness and being. awakened to our lives and awakened to. the the messages that God's trying to. send us. >> We made it.

[Music]. >> Well, we first met over 10 years ago, >> and I've watched your rise. I've watched. you rise with such pride. I first met. you on Tyler Perry's If Loving You Is. Wrong, which aired on OW own for five. seasons and so many of you loved it and. loved her on that show. What did you. learn being on a Tyler Perry set all. those years? >> Well, first of all, I feel like Tyler. Perry is vision incarnate, right? So,

his introduction to the Tyler Perry. Studios was magical and it was it was in. and of itself a manifestation. And you. know, when you drive up, there's this. huge building aptly called the dream. building. >> The dream building. >> And I feel like what Tyler does is bring. people from all walks of life together. >> who who may not be living in their. fullness, but because he's operating in. his God dream, he invites many others. So when I was there, there were people. who shared with me, janitors and payroll.

operators and and actors who said I was. homeless before Tyler gave me a job. I. was formerly incarcerated. I was on. drugs. But because his dream was big. enough to cover all of us, we were. launched into this new place of. abundance. And I will always be grateful. for him for that. >> Well, that is what he does. And you. know, many years ago, actually 20 years. ago, I did something here on the grounds. of Promised Land called the Legends. Ball. And we had a gospel brunch out.

front. >> I remember Yolanda Adams. >> Yolanda Adams. And really, I'm telling. you, it was passing the mic. There was. Patty Leel and there was Glattus Knight. They were all on the front lawn. And it. was one of the most memorable. experiences of my life. And Tyler, when. he left, we were interviewing people as. they were leaving and he said, "I'm. going to leave here and I'm going to. have a bigger dream. I'm going to dream. a bigger dream. >> I'm just absolutely floored." And and my.

thing leaving here, I'm going to dream. bigger and dream more. He. [Applause]. >> and he did. >> Yeah. >> And he did. >> And we were all there at the Imagine. That. Wasn't that so appropriately. named, you know, that huge opening. celebration. And I remember when Tyler, one of the things that he did for us. during If Loving You Is Wrong, me and my. castmates, he drove us around this empty. lot and he showed us his vision. I see a. I see a sound stage right there. Yeah.

>> And I see 12 sound stages. I see housing. right there. Yes. >> And just to see it all come together, it. was like he allowed us to have a front. row seat to a God dream. >> Yeah. To a God dream. So, let's talk. about the title. Where did you get the. title, the world is waiting for you. Embrace your calling and manifest the. God dream over your life. Well, you. know, I've always been inspired by your. quote that God can dream a bigger dream. for you than you can dream for yourself. And one of the things that's happened in. my life a lot is receiving prophecies. M.

>> And so I received these prophecies first. as a as a young person at 16 years old. that I didn't fully understand and then. from strangers and they would lay out. exactly what was about to happen in my. life next. And I started realizing that, oh, this is higher than my vision. This. is higher than my dream. That I'm a part. of a larger God dream. And I believe. that that's really that visceral divine. calling, that divine story that was. written over your life before you were. ever born.

>> People were coming. You do such a. beautiful job of relating your story in. your book and relating your story and. how your story relates to all of our. stories and being able to see God's. dream for us. Now, what's really. interesting, you were just talking just. before we started that uh Reverend. Wentley Fipps uh was used to be your. pastor. You know, I met Whitley when I. was in Baltimore and was very, very. young and trying to figure out what I. was doing in my life. And I was at one. of those programs that people have. And.

he came up to me backstage and he said, "May I speak to you for a moment?" And I. said, "Sure." And he said, "God has. impressed me to tell you that you have. been chosen to speak to millions of. people around the world." Now, I'm in. Baltimore working as a young reporter. making $22,000 a year. And I said to him. then, I said, "In Baltimore?" And he. said, "God didn't tell me where it was,

but God has impressed me to tell you. that that is what's going to happen in. your life." And I sort of I held on to. that and when I got the call to come to. Chicago I was like well not millions of. people but all right I'm going to follow. this dream. So how has that prophecy. manifested in your life? The prophecies. manifested but that's a big one. Isn't. that a big one? >> I mean that's a big one you know and. something similar happened to me. actually multiple times but there was. one church service I went to in Memphis.

Tennessee. I had never been to Tennessee. in my life. And I was invited to this. church service and they said, "It's. going to be a prophetic revival." And I. said, "Okay.". >> A prophetic revival. >> That's right. And there was a prophet. Todd Hall that he was invited. >> And he came and he started prophesying. to everybody all over the building. >> And then he stopped speaking and he. started writing these notes. And all of. a sudden, he came down all the way from. the pull pit and put them in my hand. And when I opened them up, it talked.

about real estate I was going to own. It. talked about doing movies and television. in California, New York, Georgia, the. Caribbean island. He spoke about all. these things. And then as he walked back. up, he said, "Oh, and about, by the way, you're about to know Oprah Winfrey." No. And then he started talking about my. mom. Within 7 days, I was at a dinner. with you. >> On the eighth day, I was at a brunch. with you. And two months later, I had. received the offer to film in Georgia on. the Oprah Winfrey Network, exactly how.

he said. So, I do believe that when you. are called and when you are chosen, God. is already mapped out the way. It's. really about us discovering and. partnering with him to manifest it. And. sometimes it's greater than what we. think. >> Yeah. Well, I learned that as you Thank. you for the shout out in the book. I. learned that in so many ways, but. particularly in The Color Purple when I. had this I had the dream of being just. can I be the water girl? Can I be the.

script girl? Can I be the whatever? And. then am given the opportunity to. actually be in the movie and then. everything that followed from that and. then I get to live in this space that I. obviously paid for, but it is it is the. doing of the Lord. I do know that it is. the doing of the Lord. The fact that you. named this the promised land. >> and you know I have my favorite. scripture Joshua 13 wheresoever the soul. of your foot shall tread I will give.

unto you and I know that this this. property is not a mistake you treaded on. some places you believe some things and. this came into. >> and it came into manifestation you are a. big manifesttor did you manifest working. with Shondaanda Rimes. >> so in April 1st. >> Yes. 2022. I'm thinking, what should I. post for April Fool's Day? >> Yeah. >> And something just said, "Why not. photoshop yourself on the cover of a.

Shelan poster?" I'm like, "Oh, that's. kind of hilarious." So, I had someone. photoshop me on the cover of a Shondelan. poster and I announced my new role. Well, um, everyone just started. congratulating me and I'm thinking, "Oh, this is hilarious." But it was something. about their pure faith that just knew, oh, this is happening. Congratulations. Look at God. This is amazing. You. deserve it. And their faith, I just took. it in and wondered, could something this. big actually happened? Well, a few.

months later, I was sent the script for. The Residence, a new Shondaand. production. And by the following April. Fools, I was on set with Shaan filming. The Residence. Oh my goodness. And those. of you who've watched The Residents, you. know she portrays Sheila, a White House. butler who is a little bit messy. >> Just a little a little bit. Maybe a. little bit on the side. Taking a few sips. >> Just a little few sips.

>> You are so great and so fun to watch. >> Thank you. >> I can see you really inhabit her and. that you What did you do to to get to. that character? >> You know, I mean, she's an alcoholic and. I felt I wanted to honor Right. It's a. comedy, right? But I felt like it was. also important to honor her life. And so. I started going to AA meetings. >> I started really discovering what that. journey is. I was watching. documentaries. I also was going to UCB, taking improv. And then I was just doing. a lot of script analysis and a lot of.

research. My grandmother worked in the. White House. So there was something that. also was a full circle manifestation. with that because our home growing up. was filled with pictures of my. grandparents with the presidents and all. kinds of trinkets and memorials from the. White House. So this was all very full. circle and getting into character for. Sheila was it was a lot of work but also. a lot of fun. >> Well, you deserve it and you worked it. Hello. You worked Miss Sheila.

>> Let's talk about chapter five. It's. called the secret power of hearing God's. voice. I think people think that, you. know, you're going to hear God's voice. like Moses in the burning bush or you're. going to hear, you know, the sermon on. the mount. But you and I know obviously. that it doesn't work that way. How would. you describe how God speaks to you and. how others can begin to hear it in their. own way? >> Yeah. You know, there are a lot of. different ways that God can speak, right? God can speak through literal. dreams while you're sleeping and give.

you these deep impressions that you're. not sure even when you wake up. What was. that? Was that meant for something. important? Am I supposed to do something. through signs and wonders, right? Like. with me, that's how I ended up in. Hollywood. My camera actually took a. picture by itself and the sign said, "From Harlem to Hollywood, you're a. star. Congratulations.". Well, I was living in New York at the. time and I'm looking at this sign and. I'm thinking, how did this even happen?

>> Well, within one year's time, I was cast. in a show in Hollywood, ended up living. with the Viola Davis, >> you know, the introduction, he does it. for Yes. >> But God used a literal sign to get my. attention. And then there's also things. in nature, you know, there's sometimes. like I have a friend who always sees a a. white butterfly and she says, "It seems. like every every time something. significant is happening, I see a white. butterfly." And then she started looking. it up. And so there are these different. ways that God tries to get our.

attention. And so what I encourage. people to do is to really pray, is to. seek God. The times where I have felt. the most prophetic, where I'm the most. sensitive to what is God saying about my. life, about the lives of others that are. around me, it's because I have opened. myself up in a very intentional way to. hear from God. And there's a wonderful. scripture in Jeremiah that says, "Call. to me and I will answer you. I will show. you great and uncarchable things you do. not know." And that's a promise. So, I.

really believe that when we claim that. promise, when we say, "God, I want to. hear from you. I need to hear from you. that he will show up in ways that you. may not expect. >> We have listeners joining us via Zoom. who want to talk with Edwina about their. own dreams. Jisia is a former TV. producer and now a substitute teacher. Hello. Love that hat, girl. Uh, and I. hear you've been feeling a little lost. lately, which I think a lot of people. are experiencing at work in particular. What's going on with you? Yeah. So, I'm.

40 years old and my life is not what I. thought it would would be at 40. My. 14-year career ended. I put in. applications, and no doors seem to open. I'm now. living here in Georgia with my mom, substitute teaching. I created a kids. YouTube channel, trying all the things. And I just feel like I'm unable to chart. a path forward. I believe God has a plan. for me for sure, but I am unable to. access it. So. >> any advice you have on that would be.

helpful. >> Javvisia, thank you so much for your. vulnerability and for the courage to. share in such an authentic way what. you're going through right now. One. thing that really stood out to me is the. fact that you're 40. And there's a very. significant that's a very significant. number in the Bible. And if you think. about it, the children of Israel. wandered for 40 years. But there was a. point in Deuteronomy 2:3 that says, "You've wandered this hill country long. enough. Now turn north." And just with.

that one instruction, they entered into. the promised land. And I believe for you. that it's not the end. I think that this. may just be your waiting season. This. may just be your season of surrender, which I talk about in the book, where. God is pouring into you and he's. teaching you new things and he's showing. you who you're made of. and that when. it's time to come out of this season, it's going to be even greater than. before. And so, one thing I'm going to. encourage you to do, especially if you. feel like doors have been closing again,

sometimes that's the most powerful place. to be because you're at the end of. yourself. That's when you surrender. When you have done everything you can, there was one role that I wanted so bad. and I tried everything for three. straight months. I couldn't even get an. audition. And one day, I heard God say, "You know what? I want you to get up and. go to this Bible study." I'm like, "God, I just got home. I'm tired. I'm trying. to go to bed." But I felt that. impression so strongly. I want you to. get up, put your clothes back on, get on. two buses, a train, then walk across.

town to this Bible study. I get there, sure enough, it's ending. I'm like, "Oh, God, why was I supposed to be here?" And. then this woman I saw across the room. that I just felt led to pray for. I. prayed for her. She cried and she. grabbed my hand. She said, "The things. that you are saying to me are things. that I've been praying to God about and. here you are." So, I just that was. enough for me, just the confirmation. that God sent me here for her. Then I. said, "You know what? We didn't even.

exchange names. I'm sorry I didn't. introduce myself. I'm Edwina." And she. said her name. I said, "Wait a minute. Are you a Are you a writer?" And she. said, "Yes." I said, "Did you create. this show?" And she said, "Yes, that's. my show." I said, "I've been trying. three straight months to get an audition. for your show. Look at God, will you?". So, she arranged that audition and that. is the show that brought me to. Hollywood. So, you don't always have to.

know the how. A lot of times that blocks. us from our dream, right? Because he. gives us this huge dream and then we. have the question of but how, but how, but how. He will intercept your path. sometimes with instructions. And when. you make that one decision to follow. God's voice, you will end up in a place. that you never thought you'd be. So, I. want you to be encouraged and I want you. during this wilderness season to be very. sensitive to the instructions that. you're given because I think there's a. breakthrough closer than you think. >> Pay attention to the signs.

>> Pay attention to the signs. It doesn't. come when you exactly want it, but you. know, old folks used to say it always. comes on time. And it is in ti in in. timing with when you are most open and. ready to receive it, >> you know, when you are most open and. ready to receive it. >> Awesome. Thank you guys so much. That. was help. >> Awesome. Thank you, Jia. >> Jia Clayton is a health and wellness. coach joining us from North Carolina. Clayton, I hear you've been feeling your.

light start to dim. What's happening? >> Yes. So almost a decade ago, I made a. promise to myself while I was in school. and shining my brightest light that I. wouldn't let my light dim like I saw. happened to so many adults around me. But life as it does had its way. And. there was struggle and change and. burnout. And you know, one thing I used. to use to measure my light was my. curiosity. And I had noticed that it had. significantly faded. So now I'm starting.

to allow that light to flicker back but. it's very very slowly. So my question is. what helps you reconnect to your light. and how do you nurture it when it starts. to dim? >> Yes, that's such a beautiful question. >> U chapter two in the book is called you. are a star. >> and star is a double on tandra right. It's not just being rich and famous and. wealthy. >> Yes. It's really about using your light. in service of others and igniting this.

world with your light. So if you feel. like your light is beginning to dim, sometimes it's about leaning into. service. Sometimes it's about connecting. with a community that you feel called to. serve because what that does is bless. them as well as bless you. Yeah. Yeah. So, when you start to feel more alive, usually it's because you're using your. gifts, talents, and abilities that. you've been given and you're connecting. in with your calling. So, if you're. feeling right now that your light is.

dimming and maybe there's even a sense. of isolation that's coming with that, I. encourage you to step out, to step out. of the box, to take a risk, to make a. bold faith move, as I talk about in the. book, and allow yourself to be used in. service of others. And you're going to. see that as they experience their joy, you are also going to experience joy. And you're going to light their flame. and they're going to light yours. And I. promise you, you will be reignited. >> Yeah. That's how you do it. You light.

yourself up by giving your light. However dim you think it may be in this. moment, however dim she thinks it is, it's strong for somebody else. So, I. could see you light up when Edwina said. that. How does that resonate with you? Surprisingly enough, that is the word. that comes up for me a lot. Um, and I. haven't really given it the attention. that it's needed because it always feels. like, oh, well, later when when this is. done, then when I have the space for. that or the funds for that or the time. or whatever it is. Um, but I think that.

by you sharing that, it sounds like let. >> What is the what is the word that comes. up over. >> service? >> Wow. Honeycha. >> Honeycha. Let me tell you, if it's. coming up over and over, it's coming up. over and over for you to pay attention. to which is another thing that Edwin. talks about in the book that that is the. pattern of how for some people how God. shows himself, how the you how it speaks. to you because it keeps you'll see a.

sign then you'll see the sign again, you'll see the billboard, you'll see a. TV commercial and it comes through. another way and another way and you know. my favorite quote of all times is from. Martin Luther King who says that not. everybody can be famous but everybody. can be great. >> because greatness is determined by. service. And I will share this with you. Any job that you have, any career that. you choose, if you operate from the.

paradigm of service, you will be. elevated and enhanced and successful. 100% guaranteed. The Oprah Winfrey Show. was a number one show for 25 years. because I understood the paradigm of. service and had called the producers in. and said, this is 1980. We started in. '86 and '89. I said, we're not just no. longer just going to be a talk show. We. are going to serve the audience where. they are. We're going to offer ourselves.

in service to wherever they are, whatever their dreams are, whatever. their desires are. And that's why we. were number one cuz we were in service. And I would say this no matter what you. are, you're a teacher, you're a lawyer, you're a clerk. If you change the. paradigm to how do I use this at service. to something bigger than myself, your. fire will get it get ignited. Your. light, it automatically brightens your. light. >> Thank you so much. >> You are welcome. You are welcome.

>> The world is waiting for you. >> Isn't that true? Isn't that true? You're. using your art in service. Let me tell. you everything. Even even getting on. those buses and that train. Yes. In. service. >> In service. >> Us, my husband and I, we produced this. little series 21 days of happy. >> Yes. >> Purely in service. That's all. We felt. like God said, you know, help encourage. people during the pandemic. Bring other. faith leaders, celebrities together.

>> And then after that, and we just put it. out into the world purely as an act of. service. And who called me on the phone? But Miss Oprah Winfrey, I almost fell. out of my seat. She said, "I love that. you've been doing it, >> Edwina." Oprah Edwina Oprah Oprah. But. but the fact that you had been exposed. to 21 days of happy, you know, that. again was a reminder that when we do. things purely out of out of obedience.

and out of service, we have no idea. what's on the other side that we can be. blessing others and it turn around and. bless us too. >> Are you thinking about how you can. switch the paradigm to service? >> Yes, absolutely. >> You are. Yeah, I'm telling you. Guarantee it. Guaranteed. Thank you, Clayton. >> Thank you. I appreciate it. One of the. things that you talk about, you. introduce us to the term neuro. imagining. You say when you visualize a. dream or a desired experience, your. brain doesn't differentiate between that. imagined experience and reality. And you.

practice this with your aunt Iris on a. visit to LA. You say I did. So, at that. time, I was literally living in. low-income housing in New York City. I. was stopping drug deals and gunfights. and there were sirens every night and. literally stopped an attempted murder. Like I was not living a fabulous life. >> Mhm. >> But I was invited to come here as an act. of service to speak to aspiring artists. of faith who really wanted to come into.

the entertainment industry. And so I. just poured out what I had. And while I. was here, my aunt Iris said, "You know, I just want to take you on a little road. trip." I said, "Okay." And first she. said, "I I need you to rent the car, though. I need you to drive." And I'm. like, "Uh, Iris, I I haven't driven in. years." She said, "You need to rent the. car." So, here I am with my little bit. of money. And And the clerk gives me a. drop top convertible for the price of. the economy of economy that I reserved. So, I'm looking at this convertible.

like, "Wow." Okay. And the top is down. and I'm feeling the wind. I go pick up. on Iris. She gets in the side and we. drive down the coast of Southern. California and I smelled the salty air. and I heard the birds chirping as I do. right now and the wind blowing. I felt. it on my face and there was something. about that moment that showed me what. was possible. These rolling hills and. these huge mansions.

I belong here but you said something in. your spirit said. >> I belong here. The world is waiting. The. world is waiting for me. >> And so what I normally do when I find. myself in moments like that, I'll take a. picture. >> because I want to mark this day. I want. to mark this moment. Yes. >> And so I took pictures along the way. >> And what ended up happening just a year. later, I was invited, as I shared, to do. this show here. >> And all of the housing that I tried to.

secure fell through. So now I'm I'm. gonna be out here in like five days. I. have nowhere to live. And something in. my spirit said, "Go back to that vision. If you could live anywhere in. California, what would it look like?". And so I went back to those pictures of. when Aunt Iris and I were driving and I. saw this one house. It was so beautiful. And I said, "God, I would love to live. in a house like that, even though I'm. just trying to rent a room in California.

to get here.". >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Well, do you know I'm. on the phone on Craigslist just trying. to negotiate a price for this room and. my line clicks and it's Julius Tenon, Viola Davis's husband. And he said, "Adina, we're in New York City right. now." I said, "Oh, really? You are?" He. said, "Yeah." He said, "But yesterday we. had a shift." I said, "A shift? What do. you mean?" He said, "Well, she was. supposed to go into another movie right. after this, but now the financing is. strange. So, we're going back to. California on Sunday." He said, "You. know, when are you coming to. California?" I said on Monday, he said,

'Oh, you can live with us. And suddenly, I went from trying to rent that little. room on Craigslist to living in a home. that looked just like the home that I. saw. You are a great manifesttor. You are a great manifesttor. Cuz I'm. good, but I could not manifest living in. Viola Davis's house. Okay, >> that is really, really good. I mean. that's. >> Davidson has now written the forward to.

your book. Yes. >> Yeah. I mean that's why I call it a God. dream because I'm very aware that. >> it's not just me manifesting, right? It's me stepping into a bigger plan and. a bigger vision and that if I can just. have the courage. >> to elevate to the things that God has. shown me, then he will help to bring it. into manifestation. >> So here's the thing. I listen I live. here and I will say that what I have. learned to do is do exactly what you.

talk about in the world is waiting for. you is to live in God's dream for me. So. I stopped even dreaming for myself. because I can see exactly as you say in. the book how God's dream is so much. bigger than anything we can ever. imagine. So I'm just saying show me what. it is. And you say that embracing God's. divine dream for your life requires. trust and surrender. I know this to be. true because I always say you work as. hard as you possibly can and then you. surrender it. Why do you think surrender.

is such an important part of this. process? Edwina, you know, I think. surrender is important because. ultimately it's about trust. If this is God's dream that we're. stepping into, if this is a divine story. that's been written for us, >> which we all have our divine story, >> we all have it, right? But then we do. all the things we push. We pull. I. remember when I first got to California, this woman, this beautiful Jewish woman. stopped me and she said, "I have a word. for you. Can I pray over you?" And she.

did. And she put her hand on my forehead. and she said, "Sweet and simple, sweet. and simple, sweet and simple." three. times. She said, "You've been pressing. and pushing. I can see in the spirit.". >> People just come up to you and do that. >> Oh, they do that. Yeah, that happens. >> She said, "I see in the spirit that. you've been exerting so much energy to. push those door down." She said, "But. God is saying stay in a sweet and simple. place. He's going to take it from here.". >> Yeah. I I I think that that's one of the.

things that you make clear in the world. is waiting for you is that so many. people are resisting the dream. They're. pushing against the dream instead of. surrendering to the dream. >> Yeah. And surrender, I think, also is a. breeding ground for glory. >> because when you let go and when you. realize, I'm not powerful enough to get. this all the way to fruition. >> Yes. >> You invite God to create miracles in. your life. >> Yes. >> And suddenly what's happened is an. actual act of God. It is a miracle. It.

is divine intervention. And at the end. of the day, who can get glory? >> Yes. >> But the one that created the dream. >> Yeah, absolutely. Nicole is joining us. from Los Angeles with a question. Hi. Nicole. Your question for Edwina. >> Hi Oprah. Hi Aduina. It's such an honor. to be with both of you today. >> So yeah, a little backstory. I've been. incredibly blessed to be surrounded by. courageous and bold women in my life. When they want to pick up and move to a. different state, they move to a.

different state. When they want to pivot. careers, they pivot. And me on the other. hand, I feel a bit more anchored in my. life. I'm a leader in my career, also a. leader in my family system. So, my. decisions kind of feel weightier. Um, I. know God has a great plan for my life. and I'm confident in that. But my. question is, how do I learn to see them. as a source of inspiration versus being. discouraged by comparison? >> Comparison is so huge. You know, I write.

in the book about really resisting the. curse of comparison because what happens. is that it makes you feel small. It. makes you feel as though you're not. significant and sometimes you don't see. the worth that you actually bring in the. context of the people that you're around. because you esteem them so highly and. then therefore in comparison to them. feel that you're unworthy. But one thing. I'm going to tell you is that not only. are you worthy, but they're surrounding. you for a reason. There's a light that.

you have that they actually need. And. it's funny also because I think about. when I think about comparison to I think. about the story of David in the Bible. and how Samuel the prophet came to try. to find that next king. And God said, "You're going to find the next king. right here in this lineage." But he goes. to Jesse, David's dad, and says, "Show. me your sons." Well, Jesse shows him one. son after another son after another. So,

this one is strong, and this one is. smart, and this one is powerful. This. one is great. But God said, "No, no, no. It's not one of them. It's not one of. them." And then he says, "Man looks on. the outward appearance, but God looks on. the heart." He said, "I feel like. there's one other person that you. haven't shown me." And it was that. David, that little shepherd boy that was. out there getting dirty and, you know, was ruddy and may not have been the most. beautiful, may not have been the the. smartest or the most handsome, but. that's the one God chose. And so, I just.

want you to walk with that because that. very essence that maybe you're. diminishing right now may actually be. your superpower. And among all the. things that you're comparing against. others and yourself, it may very well be. that you are the one that's been chosen. for such a time as this. So, I want you. to step into your calling and your. purpose, and understand that the world. is waiting for you, not in context with. the people that are around you. You have.

a very singular, unique light that you. are meant to use to brighten up the. world. And I'm very excited personally. to see what you're going to do. >> Oh, thank you so much, Aduina. That. means a lot. >> You're welcome. And I'm sorry, just one. more thing. Sorry. >> Nicole, do you know the meaning of your. name? >> Yes, I do. It's victorious one. >> Victorious one. Victorious one and. victory of the people.

>> Victory of the people. And the reason. why that's significant is that there are. people waiting to hear from you. And as you step into your light, you are. going to ignite them to step into. theirs. Can you feel that? >> Yeah. I'm I'm trying to hold back tears. to be honest cuz I feel it. It hit me. like a ton of bricks. I really um value. the meaning of my name. I've personally. taken that on as like what God has wants. me to do in the world. So yeah, this.

resonated. I could tell, you know, she's. telling you the truth. You know it. You. can feel it. You can feel it. You can. feel it. >> I can. >> All right. Nice to meet you, Nicole. >> Nice to meet you. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> So, we live in a culture obsessed with. star power. How do you think people can. begin to realize their own? You talk. about it. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And the world is waiting for you. >> Yeah. I mean, that's one of the things. in my three-year season of surrender and. season of waiting, God talked to me a.

lot about this word star. star in the. Bible, star in the dictionary, star in. the galaxy. And I realized that embedded. in this word star was a light shining in. darkness. And so I met this young man. when I was doing the show The Wire on. HBO. And we rode the train together. This Indian. >> Wire, one of the best TV shows ever done. in the history of TV show. >> I am still honored that I was able to be. a part of that show. But there was a. young man about my same age and he had.

this thick Indian accent and and I said, 'What's your name?' He said, 'Dadep. Dyadep. I said, 'Oh, what does your name. mean? He said, the light that continues. to glow when there's darkness all. around. >> Wow. >> And I believe that that's exactly what. our calling is as stars in this world, to glow when there's darkness all. around. There's political upheaval. There's corruption. There's. homelessness. There's poverty. There's. no shortage of ways that we can be a.

light in the midst of darkness. But we have to know that there's a light. inside of us. And that's where it. starts. We are all stars. I think this. is so helpful for readers, too. uh at. the end of many of the chapters you you. she gives steps in uh the world is. waiting for you uh for what you can do. right now and you you one of the things. you describe is making a vision board as. a sacred act. How has a vision board. worked for you? I know a lot of people.

think oh vision board that's woowoo. stuff. It is not. It is not. >> It is not. >> I want to know if the if the promised. land was on your vision board. The promised well the promised land. comes in the category for me of God can. dream a bigger dream because just like. you riding around with your aunt Iris. I. used to when we leave the church uh. services, my father was always the last. one to leave. He had to shake. everybody's hand. He wasn't the.

preacher, but he was a deacon. And it. was like in his big green long Osmobile, we would drive through the rich part of. town. There's a part of town in. Nashville called Bleme. >> And we would go through Bleme and look. at all the rich white people's houses. >> And I would pick out I I'm going to live. in a house like that. I'm going to live. in a house like that. And so. the idea of having a beautiful home. surrounded by beautiful things. surrounded by trees, surrounded by I had.

this vision once when I went to one of. my friends houses who was the richest. person I knew at the time, Arlene. Weiner, and there were six trees in. Arlene's front yard. And I thought if I. ever ever had enough money, I was going. to have me some trees. I was going to. have six trees in my yard. And one. morning I was making coffee at my house. and I looked out beyond the six trees to. the multiple other trees in the yard. So. I am a I'm a manifesttor. I didn't have. a vision board, but I had a vision.

>> Yeah. >> I didn't have a vision board, but I had. a vision. >> And that's one of the most powerful. things about vision. Vision is. >> realistic for some. Yeah. >> Some people say, "Oh, I'll believe it. when I see it." Yeah. >> Right. So it's a very literal uh. interpretation of what you can see with. your eyes. >> Yeah. That's what I would call natural. vision. But then there's spiritual. vision. There's supernatural vision. >> There's vision that is prophetic that. sees into the future that sees. a manifestation of something that you.

can't put your hand on right now, >> but you know in your spirit what you saw. is going to come to pass. >> And that's what happened with you and. those trees. It was a spiritual. something in your spirit absolutely. >> awoken and said that those trees that. she has. >> there's something about that that that's. meant for my journey. >> And for me it's interesting because our. the wieners going into their house there. were three car there was like a Jaguar. There was a BMW. There was a Mercedes. It wasn't the cars that impressed me. It.

was the trees. And now you have an. abundance of trees. >> An abundance of. >> abundance of trees. Abundance of trees. It's amazing how God will multiply your. vision. Yeah. Right. That he'll expand. it. It starts here and then through. these spiritual the ability to hear. God's voice, signs, wonders, miracles. that he will open up your life in a way. that you didn't see coming, but that was. written for you the whole time. And. also, this is what you talk about here.

People not only just paying attention to. the signs, everybody gets them. >> Yeah. >> Everybody gets them. That's why the. world is waiting for you to notice what. the signs are for you. Everybody gets. them. I think everybody gets them, but. they don't trust it when they see it. That's why you speak and the world is. waiting for you about trust and. surrender. >> Yes. Trust and surrender. >> The two go hand in hand. And also, we're. such a connected culture. And when I say. that, I mean we're constantly on our. phones. We're constantly listening to. music. We're constantly watching TV. We're constantly on social media. So.

when our focus is on all these other. things all the time, and when our head. is down. all the time, swiping and scrolling and. doing all these things, we're not even. awake enough and present enough to hear. the bird, right? >> Or to feel the wind or to know, oo, I. just felt something. There's something. in this moment. >> Yeah. >> That I'm supposed to clock. There's. something about this is a destiny. moment. Sometimes we just have to live.

with a certain level of awareness. Yes. And being awakened to our lives and. awakened to the the messages that God's. trying to send us. >> What was on your vision board though? What was actually on your vision board? >> Well, first of all, Oprah, I I I tell. people some people have a vision board. I had a vision book. Okay. Vision book, everybody. So, it's literally this. thick. And I dedicated a page to all. these different things. All these things. that I felt called in my life. So, I was. a very single girl. I had just got out.

of college. Had no money. But I was at. the Shakespeare Theater, Washington DC, one of my very first roles. And I had. this big stack of of of magazines, glue, paper, scissors. Everyone's like, "Girl, what are you doing between shows?" But I. just felt like this is my opportunity to. chart my life. And so, the first part is. affirmations and goals. And then I. started putting role models. And guess. who's on there? You. And then after that, there's a page. about marriage because I really believed.

God for marriage. And so there was this. one picture I found in a magazine. There. was something about it that just called. me. And so I said, "Okay, I'm going to. cut that out." And it was of this. lighter brownskinned African-American. man with a bald head. And he had this. white t-shirt on. And he was laying back. reclined on a bed with a little baby on. his chest that had a white onesie on. So, I I I clipped it out. I put it on my. marriage uh page in my book. Well, years.

later, I'm now married. I'm like, "Wow, this is manifested. I have had a baby. I. walked into her nursery to check up on. her during her nap. And I see my. husband, a light brownkinned. African-Amean man with a bald head, a. white shirt on. Don't tell me he had on. a white t-shirt. >> He laid. >> back on the bed holding a little baby. with a light onesie on his chest. And. when I saw it, I said, "Oh my, wait, but. that but that's in my vision book." And.

so as they were sleeping, I ran to the. next room to get the vision book and and. literally had to open the page and look. at that. And that's how I realized, Oprah, that vision boards and and vision. books, they're not just, oh, woo woo, that there can be prophetic. significance. And I really believe that. through prophecy, it's it's a preview of. coming attractions, right? God gives you. a glimpse. And it was just that. specific. There were things in that. vision book that had to do with dates, you know, that that things actually.

manifested on those dates. So, I just. encourage everywhere and I I walk you. through how to create a vision book in. the world is waiting for you, but I. really feel like it's important to lean. into what is God saying and how can I. visually represent that on the page and. are you able to do it all the time? Because I find that when you surrender. your dream to the bigger dream that God. has for you, things just move and flow.

And that when you find yourself stuck, as we started out talking about, it's. because you haven't surrendered. And I. think people get really confused with. the idea of surrendering because they. think surrender means giving up. >> It doesn't. It means that you allow for. a different force of energy to enter. >> and that you're not just trying to do it. by yourself. I love how you have your. hands open like that because a lot of. times when we're trying to hold on to. things, we close our hands. We we grasp.

it, right? Like hold it tightly because. I have to maintain control. >> But it's when you allow yourself to open. your hands, not only is something able. to come out, but something else is able. to be received. We can't receive with. closed hands. >> We can't receive. So that universal. symbol of surrender with open hands and. saying I'm here. I'm here God. >> It's obvious through the writing of the. book that you have paid attention to. your life that you have been a great.

servant that you have been obedient to. the call for yourself. What did writing. the book teach you about yourself that. you didn't know? What did it teach me about myself? You. know, it taught me that I was capable of. more than I thought. Um, as most things, the book was. prophesied, right? So, I went to a. service and there was a prophetist there. and she literally on the mic started. singing and she said, "Where's your.

book? Where's your book? God's been. speaking to you about writing a book.". And then she began to tell me the two. titles that I was wrestling between. She said, "This book is going to go. around the world." And she said, "And. God called you to write about. manifestation. you're not going to have. to change a thing. Well, at that time, I. was in all these meetings with different. publishers. They all wanted me to change. stuff. And they specifically did not. want me to write about that very word. that I was called to, manifestation.

They all told me to change it. And so, at the end, I was like, "Okay, God, you. know, I I thought you called me to write. a book, but the publishers, you know, it's not moving forward." And do you. know this this little uh woman, this. beautiful woman reached out to me and. she said, ' God told me to call you. right now and ask you what's the status. of your book. And I said, "Okay, well, we've been pitching and I'm not so. sure.". >> You really tapped in. >> You really tapped in. >> And she said, "I believe in you. I.

believe in the message and I believe. that people around the world need to. hear it." And she, unbeknownst to me, walked that book proposal directly into. Harper Collins. Harper one, >> tell me this. >> And they said within a week, >> what is your spiritual practice? Cuz you. are really, really tapped in. >> You know, I worship, I pray, I really I read the Bible. >> Mhm. >> And what I try to do is allow myself to.

be filled up, right? the times where I. felt the furthest from God or where I. felt dry, right? We're like, I'm not. hearing anything. I don't know which way. to go. >> Nothing's happening. >> Nothing's happening. I feel so confused. Usually, it's because I'm striving in my. own strength. I'm. >> disconnected from the right. And so, I. feel it's almost like a fan, right? Like. if you stay connected to that power. source, you're going to keep going. You're going to keep going. But then. when you start to disconnect, it may.

look like you're still going. Yeah. >> But eventually you start to putter out. And so I feel like for me, through. prayer, through worship, through reading. the Bible, through through being. surrounded by other believers and having. a tribe of people that when I do feel. like, I don't know, I don't know. I. don't know. It just seems like obstacles. the whole way through that they're. strong enough to keep me encouraged. And. so I I I really encourage people through. that book of, hey, get tapped in. Join a.

community, have a tribe of people who. are able to be strong when you're weak. because that also is a is a spiritual. practice staying in community. It is. Well, it has been my delight to be able. to have this conversation with you here. today. Thank you, Edwin Finley. Dickerson. And I always love uh just. being able to talk with you and the way. even I won't even get into how this came. about. I won't even tell you how this happened. Anyway, your positive energy is.

infectious. Thanks to my guests who. joined us on Zoom, Jesia, Clayton, and. Nicole. Edwina's book is called The. World Is Waiting for You. Embrace Your. Calling and Manifest the God Dream over. your life. And I will say it again, God. can dream a bigger dream for you than. you could ever dream for yourself. lean. into God's dream for you. This book is. available anywhere you buy your books. Thank you, dear listeners, for taking. the time to hear Edwina's hopeful.

message and I'll see you next week. Go. well. Go well. Excellent. Thank you. You can subscribe to the Opra podcast on. YouTube and follow us on Spotify, Apple. Podcasts, or wherever you listen. I'll. see you next week. Thanks everybody.