Arianna credits one woman as her biggest influence and greatest spiritual teacher: her mother, Elli. During Arianna's childhood in Greece, her family struggled financially, and it was her mother who sacrificed her own needs to provide an enriching upbringing for her two daughters. Now, as a mother of her own daughters, Arianna shares with Oprah which of Elli's lessons she'd most like to pass on to her children.
"I most want to give them what my mother gave me --a combination of unconditional loving and the knowing that they can go for their dreams," she says. "And that they shouldn't worry if they fail."
Arianna says failure is not something to fear or feel ashamed of. "Failure is part of the journey to success," she tells Oprah.
Arianna's perspective on failure and success came from Elli, who had a profound saying that Arianna has always carried with her. "My mother used to say, 'Failure is not the opposite of success. It's a stepping stone to success,'" Arianna says.
"Oh, that's so good to remember," Oprah agrees.
Arianna's interview airs on "Super Soul Sunday" on OWN this Sunday, May 11, at 11 a.m. ET, when it also streams worldwide on Oprah.com, Facebook.com/owntv and Facebook.com/supersoulsunday.
Related
Before You Go
