Maya Angelou - Words of wisdom
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Topic: Maya Angelou - Words of wisdom
Posted By: my2angels
Subject: Maya Angelou - Words of wisdom
Date Posted: 05 September 2006 at 9:40am
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I thought this was so true!
In April, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+ birthday.Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older. And, there on television, she said it was "exciting." Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day...like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first. The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words! Maya Angelou said this: "I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow." "I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights." "I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life." "I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as "making a life." "I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance." "I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back." "I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision." "I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one." "I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back." "I've learned that I still have a lot to learn." "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."! |
Replies:
Posted By: aimeejoy
Date Posted: 05 September 2006 at 9:44am
 Awww.....------------- Aimee Hannah 22/10/05 Greer 11/02/08 |
Posted By: newmum
Date Posted: 05 September 2006 at 10:14am
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Maya Angelou is such an inspiration. An amazing woman.
I think (correct me if I'm wrong...) that Emma was inspired by her enough to name Maya after her??? ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 05 September 2006 at 10:47am
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Yep, she is my biggest influence as a writer. When I get time I will post the poem of hers that I chose for Maya's baby book, it's called "And Still I rise".
She is such a wise soul, and has had the most amazing life. She grew up dirt poor in Arkansas during the depression and has been a tram driver, a prostitute, an actress, a singer, a single mum, a writer.... -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: emeldee
Date Posted: 05 September 2006 at 11:43am
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Still I Rise
You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I'll rise. Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? 'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells Pumping in my living room. Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise. Did you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down like teardrops. Weakened by my soulful cries. Does my haughtiness offend you? Don't you take it awful hard 'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines Diggin' in my own back yard. You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I'll rise. Does my sexiness upset you? Does it come as a surprise That I dance like I've got diamonds At the meeting of my thighs? Out of the huts of history's shame I rise Up from a past that's rooted in pain I rise I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide, Welling and swelling I bear in the tide. Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear I rise Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise I rise I rise. Maya Angelou ------------- |
Posted By: emeldee
Date Posted: 05 September 2006 at 11:46am
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and one of my favourites....
Phenomenal Woman Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size But when I start to tell them, They think I'm telling lies. I say, It's in the reach of my arms The span of my hips, The stride of my step, The curl of my lips. I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me. I walk into a room Just as cool as you please, And to a man, The fellows stand or Fall down on their knees. Then they swarm around me, A hive of honey bees. I say, It's the fire in my eyes, And the flash of my teeth, The swing in my waist, And the joy in my feet. I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me. Men themselves have wondered What they see in me. They try so much But they can't touch My inner mystery. When I try to show them They say they still can't see. I say, It's in the arch of my back, The sun of my smile, The ride of my breasts, The grace of my style. I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me. Now you understand Just why my head's not bowed. I don't shout or jump about Or have to talk real loud. When you see me passing It ought to make you proud. I say, It's in the click of my heels, The bend of my hair, the palm of my hand, The need of my care, 'Cause I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me. Maya Angelou ------------- |
Posted By: AnnC
Date Posted: 05 September 2006 at 11:47am
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cool poem and she is so true in what she has learned. I think as long as when the mistake happens you learned from it then it was meant to happen. Lifes just one big test and learning curve it depends how we face it and learn from it.. thats our chioce. ------------- Ann 
Also Mum to Josh (15) and Brooke (10) |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 05 September 2006 at 2:35pm
Thank you Maree  I was getting there...(very slowly, as with everything else I do these days  ) ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 05 September 2006 at 2:42pm
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Ahhhh Ben Harper used her poem for a song. I love it.
Have you heard it Emma? If you want I can burn a copy of the CD and send it to ya. She sounds like an awesome woman.
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Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 05 September 2006 at 2:44pm
| Woah, just took some time to actually read Phenomenal Woman. It's really really cool. |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 05 September 2006 at 3:13pm
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What song is it Nikki? I don't know if I've heard it or not? ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 05 September 2006 at 3:19pm
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I'm pretty sure it's called "Still I rise" Just to make things complicated.
It's on the "Welcome to the Cruel World" album |
Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 05 September 2006 at 3:21pm
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Ooo I lied... it's called "I'll rise" - track 13
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 05 September 2006 at 3:24pm
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Don't know it, but would love a copy! I can give you some $$$ for the CD and postage.
When Maya was born I used to play that Leeann Womack song "I hope you dance" for her all the time and dance with her - yes I am a total geek  She won't let me now tho - her fave atm is "Black and Roses" (actually Guns and Roses lol) November Rain, and she's quite a fan of Nickelback and Greenday.------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 05 September 2006 at 3:27pm
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No way! I'll copy it now and hopefully send it tomorrow... gotta get to post office anyway.
PM your address
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Posted By: aimeejoy
Date Posted: 05 September 2006 at 3:33pm
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Nikkis just happy shes got something to do instead of her assignment! ------------- Aimee Hannah 22/10/05 Greer 11/02/08 |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 05 September 2006 at 3:35pm
Oooooh, maybe I should have said no - I'm aiding and abetting procrastination... ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 05 September 2006 at 3:55pm
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As if you weren't already part of it by allowing this website to continue to function.
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