Have you ever imagined what it would be like to come face-to-face with the person who inspires you the most? A person whose life's work touches you in a place that makes you believe that the whole world is yours, and that you deserve to "live your best life". A person whose light is SO bright, and yet it somehow doesn't dim yours. Instead, like a candle, they ignite a flame within each of us.

A person like, say...OPRAH!

This past weekend, I went to Texas to support my good friend @elijah_kelley at a screening for his upcoming film, #Redtails. When I heard that Oprah would be hosting the screening, my heart literally sank. Part of me hoped to fulfill my life long dream of meeting her and telling her how much her life has meant to me. The other part of me was petrified. What if the moment is nothing like I'd imagined, or I make a fool of myself and say too much, or worse, I freeze and say nothing at all.

What if...what if...what if...

After the screening, we all went to a beautiful house that belongs to one of Oprah's many beautiful friends, and like the queen that she is, she sauntered down the stairs to address the crowd.

Her elegance and grace was even more profound in person. I stood in the back of the room wishing to be invisible, and at the same time, I was hoping that we would meet eyes and her inspiration & wisdom would just rub off on me.

Once the speech was over, I made my way towards Elijah, who was standing next to O, and just like that, I was two steps away from my lifelong dream. I contemplated crouching under a table or purposely spilling my drink so I'd have to make a quick exit. But, before my fear consumed me, there Elijah was whispering in Oprah's ear and looking back at me. When she looked up, we were face-to-face & my name was escaping her lips.

“MOnniiiiique!” she said, in a way only Oprah could say.Time seemed to stand still and my mind went completely blank. I hugged her so tight as my eyes filled with tears. When I finally let go, I looked her in the eyes and told her that she was the most influential person in my life, and that I KNOW in the bottom of my soul, that we will have many conversations in the future. "I just know it." I said.

As she was walking away, she turned back to me and said, "I believe you.  I know that kind of knowing."

And, just like that, the moment was over.

I've spent the past few days replaying the moment over and over in my head, asking myself why it meant so much to me. What I realized was, when you come face-to-face with greatness, for that moment, you experience yourself as also being great. 

Something or someone that seemed so far away, is now within arms reach, and so are your dreams. It wasn't Oprah that made that moment so special, it was me.

I was proud of the choices I'd made that led me there, and I was confident in who I know I can become. Our role models represent people who live their dreams, but it's up to us to take the action to manifest ours.

When the day finally comes, where you meet your inspiration, remember that YOUR dream is being fulfilled; not theirs. Let it be an indication that ALL your dreams can come true.

The person that inspires you the most is simply a representative of something you deeply desire. Figure out what that desire is and don't stop until you achieve it. The inspiration you receive from the people you look up to is meant to spring you into action. Maybe your actions will lead to someone meeting you one day, looking you in the eyes and saying, "you are the most influential person in my life."

• Monique Coleman
• Oprah
• MO's Corner