Words Of The Wise: Maya Angelou

Dr. Maya Angelou is an American author and poet. She was born in 1928, and her writing comes from an autobiographical perspective of her life experiences.

Her most well known work is her first book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which was nominated for a National Book Award after its publication in 1969. She was also nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 1971 for her poetry book, Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘Fore I Diiie.

Angelou has been “hailed as a global renaissance woman,” according to her website, and a “celebrated poet, memoirist, novelist, educator, dramatist, producer, actress, historian, filmmaker, and civil rights activist.”

Angelou’s words have been inspirational for decades, throughout America’s development and cultural divides. Her work was not only personal, but also breathtakingly poignant in reflecting on race and gender struggles in this country.

Take a moment to reflect on some of her wisdom:

~

“A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.”

 

“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.”

 

“I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself.”

 

“Love life, engage in it, give it all you’ve got. Love it with a passion, because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it.”

 

“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.”

 

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” 

 

“I believe the most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity is daring to dare.”

 

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”

 

“My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return.”

~