susie almaneih: influential words from maya angelou
TRANSCRIPT
I N F L U E N T I A L W O R D S F R O M M AYA A N G E L O UC R E A T E D B Y S U S I E A L M A N E I H
• Maya Angelou was a famous poet, actress, award-winning writer, and civil rights activist that left this world as one of the most influential women to this day.
• Though she is now gone, her art and wisdom will remain alive forever, making an impact on women all across the globe for many days to come.
• Here are just a few of the many life-changing lessons Maya Angelou graced us with through words…
• Dr. Angelou once said, “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.”
• Through these words, Ms. Angelou has shown us the importance we have on other people’s lives and the impact we can make by lifting each other up.
• She also said that, “Each of us, famous or infamous, is a role model for somebody, and if we aren’t, we should behave as though we are - cheerful, kind, loving, courteous. Because you can be sure someone is watching and taking deliberate and diligent notes.”
• Noting that each and every one of us has the power to change lives for the better.
• Maya Angelou’s positive, motivational presence has helped many of us get through difficult times in our lives.
• Her attitude throughout her life was always strong and positive, stating, “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.”
• She has also written, “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty,” - meaning that the hardships we’ve gone through have only helped us become more beauty.
• She once said, “It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.”
• As a civil rights activist, Maya Angelou often wrote about her own struggles as a black woman who lived in a racist environment, but she never stopped fighting for her rights and her ability to use language and poetry as a means of taking a stance and bringing others up with her.
• Maya Angelou was fearless and taught us that fear is a waste of time.
• She said, “We spend precious hours fearing the inevitable. It would be wise to use that time adoring our families, cherishing our friends and living our lives.”
• She has also taught us that life is not about mere survival, but about thriving by saying, “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.”
• It is clear that we can all learn something from Maya Angelou - now and forever, as long as we continue her legacy of promoting equality and her art showcased through the written word.