“Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take but by the moments that take your breath away.”
All over the world fans are remembering one of the most incredible poetry writers and inspirational woman of the last century with some of her most memorable quotes and outstanding pieces of advice.
The famed writer, educator and civil rights activist passed away on Wednesday morning at the age of 86 – what a wonderful and long life.
Her credits include: three Grammy awards, the best-selling autobiography “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” a Pulitzer Prize nomination for her film “Georgia, Georgia,” and countless others which include the Presidential Medal of Arts and the Lincoln Medal.
But of all things this “Phenomenal Woman” is probably best remembered for her words.
When Maya Angelou spoke to a sold-out crowd at SU’s Goldstein Auditorium for the 2004 Women’s Leadership Program. She sang gospel songs, recited a few of her favourite works and shared her own life lessons – including the importance of laughter.
“If we don’t laugh, we will shrivel up…and die, ” she said – with a laugh.
Angelou recounted her struggles with being raped by her mother’s boyfriend when she was 7, yet insisted both men and women have the power to be “phenomenal.” She also beamed with pride at her successes that her grandmother knew she was capable of this long before she knew it herself.
To me, a writer and quote lover, she was the epitome of excellence. Each poem, song or quote she penned motivated and enhanced me in so many areas of my life. It is difficult to even write about this mentor, muse and role model as my words fall so far short of even a single sentence she uttered.
So in honour of one of my favourite writers, instead of trying to put pen to paper myself, I would like to rather share a few of my favourite Maya Angelou quotes and a poem.
RIP you beautiful inspiration. A butterfly you have now become. Beautiful and free.
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
The free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.
But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom
The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
“We live in a society where the internet has created a generation of individuals who know a little about a lot, but a lot about nothing”
Completely loved this video and article, decided I had to post and share both on my blog. Being in the digital sphere and working on social media sites all day every day, I can only concur with both.
My blog on the ‘advantages and disadvantages of social media’ is to follow soon – when I have the time to write it, in between posting to clients blogs and social media profiles (point proven?).
We are without a doubt creating a world where perception is skewed, and depression and jealousy mounts, as people rarely post something depressing or sad about their lives on any platform. Instead it is all about: (And I am guilty of a few)
“Boom ,Whoop, Life is amazing” (really no problems?)
“Cant believe how lucky I am nothing ever goes wrong” (Haven’t even tripped over anything lately?)
“So In love” (Never fight? Wouldn’t post last nights argument huh?)
” On holiday perfecting my tan” (really no rain ever, ever?Are you on another planet where rain doesn’t factor into the climate – it rains everywhere, even on islands?)
And the standard “Go Monday ready to get this week going and get results!” (lets be honest you would rather be back in bed sleeping)
“Gym done, New health shake tastes amazing (que an Instagram pic), Summer is 4 months away lets get beach ready” (Wow …. another week starting your detox and gym after a weekend of drinking 4000 tequilas and a couple of bottles of wine, your body is just confused! And Summer is not the only reason to be in shape – Winter clothes look pretty crap on a fat bod)
And what is with #100daysofhappiness campaigns? Why not #100daysofhonesty or #100daysofhelping others. Post what you really feel and maybe try to help someone else add a “happy update” for a change.
We live in a world ruled by perfect images of perfect people with perfect lives who live in perfect houses with perfect partners and perfect children who have perfect jobs – realistic. No, impossible.
So I started by ranting and now it is time to stop – my blog on this topic is clearly going to be a long one – even though I am guilty as charged on a few of my own “hates”- I too am starting to get social media fatigue. It is time to go out and live in the real world. Experience moments not just photograph and upload them. Love and hug people not just like their status updates and pictures….
‘Look Up’ – A spoken word film for an online generation.
‘Look Up’ is a lesson taught to us through a love story, in a world where we continue to find ways to make it easier for us to connect with one another, but always results in us spending more time alone.
The way I see it, it all depends on how these sites, like Facebook or Twitter, are being used. Social media itself can be abused, overused, and taken advantage of. However, the power of social media itself is probably greater than the power of any person, any novel, any ruler, or even any country. But, whether that incredible power is a blessing or a curse is also one matter to question.
The power of social media can be something extremely influential. This first took a huge toll in the beginning of 2011 with the political upheaval of Egypt. The Internet’s far-reaching speed combined with social media websites to create something unforgettable. The voices of Egypt stood together to overthrow the regime of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, and they spread all throughout the world. The power of social media was also noted when Mexicans turned to it for survival, not too long ago.
At first, this served as a revolution. For the very first time, people’s voices and opinions were coming together to form something larger than themselves. But we have to wonder, is that power too much? History has repeated itself in telling us that it becomes a problem when one voice has too much power. One only needs to look at people like Hitler, Idi Amin, and Mao Zong for proof that giving one voice too much power can sink an entire people or nation. And in Egypt, this corrupting nature of power turned itself over from the ruler to the subjects which resulted in the same horrific effect. From this, it is clear that social media has a way of lending itself to this attribute of power.
Another way social media can act as a curse is through its changing the behavior of our society. Some say social media sites can lend to shorter attentions and less efficient work. Not only that, but my generation, that is, teenagers, tends to abuse social media and use it for popularity. Despite social media being a term with the connotation of connecting us, that seems to be one thing it is doing least. People who abuse Facebook, for example, by requesting and accepting as many ‘friends’ as possible, up to thousands, are giving those relationships artificial traits. Those relationships are so scattered and insignificant that many people don’t even know some of their ‘friends.’ These thinning relationships have no such value, and are illusions of genuine relationships. In this abuse of social media, values of building relationships and making new connections, as were the intentions of social media, are taken away and transformed wrongfully. Nevertheless, many people do use social media for positive purposes, which leads me to the side of social media that is a complete blessing to this modern world.
When used correctly, the benefits of social media can far outweigh some of its downfalls. Social media changes the world every day, in ways both small and large. For everyone who uses it, social media at least promotes and encourages communication and lends to more modern ways of learning and communicating. Not only do they lend to more efficiency in our rapidly evolving technologically advanced society, but social media sites are also some of the best ways to positively influence people by sharing your opinions. They act as platforms for your voice. If you have great ideas or want to be heard or found, websites like Google+, Twitter, and LinkedIn can promote those good intentions. Through these sites, you can find millions of people who share the same interests as you, and start making a difference, step by step.
Social media websites can operate as both curses and blessings in our modern society. The difference between it as a curse and a blessing all hangs on the shoulders of its users. You may choose to abuse the potential of Facebook, or to change the world with Twitter. The difference in your actions may be small, but the end result varies greatly, and it is up to you to decide social media’s role in your life.
Some people, no matter how old they get, never lose their beauty — they merely move it from their faces into their hearts. ~Martin Buxbaum
A Father to His Daughter….
Dear Little One,
As I write this, I’m sitting in the makeup aisle of our local Target store. A friend recently texted me from a different makeup aisle and told me it felt like one of the most oppressive places in the world. I wanted to find out what he meant. And now that I’m sitting here, I’m beginning to agree with him. Words have power, and the words on display in this aisle have a deep power. Words and phrases like:
Affordably gorgeous,
Infallible,
Flawless finish,
Brilliant strength,
Liquid power,
Go nude,
Age defying,
Instant age rewind,
Choose your dream,
Nearly naked, and
Natural beauty.
When you have a daughter you start to realize she’s just as strong as everyone else in the house—a force to be reckoned with, a soul on fire with the same life and gifts and passions as any man. But sitting in this store aisle, you also begin to realize most people won’t see her that way. They’ll see her as a pretty face and a body to enjoy. And they’ll tell her she has to look a certain way to have any worth or influence.
But words do have power and maybe, just maybe, the words of a father can begin to compete with the words of the world. Maybe a father’s words can deliver his daughter through this gauntlet of institutionalized shame and into a deep, unshakeable sense of her own worthiness and beauty.
A father’s words aren’t different words, but they are words with a radically different meaning:
Brilliant strength. May your strength be not in your fingernails but in your heart. May you discern in your center who you are, and then may you fearfully but tenaciously live it out in the world.
Choose your dream. But not from a department store shelf. Find the still-quiet place within you. A real dream has been planted there. Discover what you want to do in the world. And when you have chosen, may you faithfully pursue it, with integrity and with hope.
Naked. The world wants you to take your clothes off. Please keep them on. But take your gloves off. Pull no punches. Say what is in your heart. Be vulnerable. Embrace risk. Love a world that barely knows what it means to love itself. Do so nakedly. Openly. With abandon.
Infallible. May you be constantly, infallibly aware that infallibility doesn’t exist. It’s an illusion created by people interested in your wallet. If you choose to seek perfection, may it be in an infallible grace—for yourself, and for everyone around you.
Age defying. Your skin will wrinkle and your youth will fade, but your soul is ageless. It will always know how to play and how to enjoy and how to revel in this one-chance life. May you always defiantly resist the aging of your spirit.
Flawless finish. Your finish has nothing to do with how your face looks today and everything to do with how your life looks on your last day. May your years be a preparation for that day. May you be aged by grace, may you grow in wisdom, and may your love become big enough to embrace all people. May your flawless finish be a peaceful embrace of the end and the unknown that follows, and may it thus be a gift to everyone who cherishes you.
Little One, you love everything pink and frilly and I will surely understand if someday makeup is important to you. But I pray three words will remain more important to you—the last three words you say every night, when I ask the question: “Where are you the most beautiful?” Three words so bright no concealer can cover them.
Where are you the most beautiful?
On the inside.
From my heart to yours,
Daddy
When Beauty Fades
When beauty fades
and your youth wastes away,
What will become
of your pretty face?
your fulsome lips
and your silken skin,
now flaccid shrouds
over a creviced grin.
When your beauty fades
and your youth wastes away,
will he still love you
……..as he did on this day
Cemetery man
An Ordinary Girl On An Extraordinary Journey Through Life 