Dear Friends,

This week in the LIFT SOMEONE UP Theme I would like to honor Maya Angelou,  a dynamic woman who loved who she was and loved her life!   Her story is featured in the Essence Magazine.   “Her Phenomenal Life & Poetic Journey” is written so profoundly and beautifully.
Maya talks about being a Black Woman. Maya says, “In the past 25 years we have witnessed, as Black women, enormous change, the greatest being an increased awareness and, in many instances, realization of our power. It is, I believe, one of our most significant achievements….”
Maya’s strength and authenticity cross all color lines. Women everywhere can look up to her and her accomplishments and follow her consistent path of integrity, following her heart, taking risks for justice and being tremendously courageous.

I believe a  noble, courageous, self assured woman is one wing on the butterfly. A brave, principled, honorable man is the other wing. When in balance the butterfly can soar and knows no limits.

I would like to share some of Maya Angelou’s  sayings and quotes from the magazine to uplift and inspire you.

“What seems to be a kind of vibrancy in me is from having called on spirit, having called on God to fill me, and the:
‘I’m enthusiastic! I’m up! I’m doing! I’m believing! I’m trying! I’m failing! I’m losing! I’m finding! It’s all all right.”

“If I am not good to myself, how can I expect anyone else to be good to me?”

“We cannot waste time bemoaning our state.”

“You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you.”

“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.”

“One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential.  Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous or honest.”

“You use power accordingly to how you acknowledge it inside yourself. Determine your goal of destination and know why you want to go there.”

“I believe that each of us comes from the creator trailing wisps of glory.”