Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou was just a poet that had an opportunity to share her words at Bill Clinton's presidential inauguration in 1993. Since then, I've been inspired by her in so many ways.
Her parents divorced when she was 3. Her mother's boyfriend raped her at age 7. At 17, she was a single mother. In her 20s, she was a dancer in a nightclub, a prostitute, a cook, and ran a brothel.
Had I met her at that point, I'm guessing I'd have felt sorry for her and maybe been a little judgmental at the same time. I'm pretty certain I'd never have bet on her as someone who would go on to have such an incredibly positive influence on so many people during her life ... and following her life.
She went on to be a singer, an actor, a civil rights activist (she worked with Malcolm X and Martin Luther King), a college professor, a writer, a speaker, and ... a poet.
She also won the Presidential Medal of Freedom (the highest civilian honor in the United States).
Years later, her life reminds me not to be judgy. She inspires me to keep moving forward regardless of circumstances - to keep Rising & Reaching [in the bad] in the good.
The first one is where the thought above comes from. It's all wonderful, but the segment beginning at 0:29 and ending at 1:09 is so moving. The gist (hearing her say it is better):
"One of the things I do [when I'm doing anything], I bring everyone who has ever been kind to me with me - Everybody. I say come with me - Come with me. I need you now."
Remember, "Nothing will work unless you do." That's Maya Angelou.
Customer Favorite Maya Angelou
Change It - Maya Angelou Inspirational Art
Lovely poster with a meaningful message!
I bought this poster and one other from Successories for my office. I am a psychologist trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and the simple messages in this poster (as well as the other one) are perfect for this approach. As an added bonus, the colors in the poster match my office very well!