"I don't know if I continue, even today, always liking myself. But what I learned to do many years ago was to forgive myself. It is very important for every human being to forgive herself or himself because if you live, you will make mistakes- it is inevitable. But once you do and you see the mistake, then you forgive yourself and say, 'Well, if I'd known better I'd have done better,' that's all. " Maya Angelou
I remember when I was seventeen, I found a great many authors, via my "internet explorations." Or, at least, that's what I call a dark-period of two years, marked decidedly by too much time on the internet, which--despite any effort from me--yielded some unexpected gems. One of the best discoveries of that time was the incredibly articulate, wise, and forgiving Maya Angelou. I found her poetry on a website. Then, (like most haphazard searches on the internet), that led me to youtube, which in turn led me to learn the indisputable fact that Maya Angelou must have the most soothing voice of any living human. Ever. (Ask science. I am sure it is fact.)
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I think what drew me to her, as an author and person, was I felt that Maya Angelou was someone who understood me, and a great many people. And now, as it is Maya we have lost, here are a few things I have learned from a favorite author of mine, in her own words:
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“The problem I have with haters is that they see my glory, but they don't know my story...”
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“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
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“The first time someone shows you who they are, believe them.”
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“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.”
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“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”
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“Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option.”
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“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style”
And my favorite Angelouism:
“I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way (s)he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.”
Hope you learned something from her, as I did. She was a brilliant, wonderful woman. Her words remain with us,
MD