Hi Friends,
Did you implement last weeks call to action and celebrate someone?
We continue with another powerful woman to celebrate women's history month.
Today, I shine a light on Maya Angelou. She was born in 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri, and died in 2014 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Maya was an American memorist, poet, and civil rights activist. She published several autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies and television shows spanning over 50 years.
The picture above shows one of the covers of her famous book, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings." It is an early autobiography describing her early years and illustrates how strength of character and a love of literature can help overcome racism and trauma. After experiencing an assault and the resulting killing of the one who had assaulted her, she literally was without a voice for years.
She writes about racial oppression, freedom, captivity, happiness and sorrow. She beautifully shows us these themes in the depiction of two birds; one free and one in captivity.
We can learn so much from her. I don't even know where to start.
How about learning from her tenacity, her courage and her wonderful skill with words?
Here are some inspirational quotes by Maya Angelou. Tell me if you have a favorite.
Courage is the most important virtue.
When facing a difficult situation, bring anyone with you (in spirit) who has loved you.
I learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.
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.
Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.
I love when she says that we walk on the shoulders of everyone who has gone before us. And how she encourages us to take everyone we know who loved us, with us, in spirit, when we walk into a difficult situation. That is a picture of support. A picture of community. A picture of love. And we all need that. Often my clients (myself included) feel unsupported or unloved. Why not envision this beautiful picture of taking all the people who have loved us with us? It is exactly that which gives us strength. It gives us courage. It makes us feel supported.
Envisioning is a powerful tool. Have you tried it? I find it very helpful when learning to get out of a certain thinking or feeling pattern and trying on something new. Envisioning takes no money, no space, and yet, it opens up unexplored spaces that we can enter in.
It's time, isn't it?
How has her life and work inspired you?
How are you an inspiration to others?
PS: Message me for a free consult to start moving toward a more confident you.
You are loved. Deeply loved. Loved beyond measure.
Until next time,
Isabelle
Call or write for a free life coaching consultation
#732-331-2246
Isabellestephensoncoach@gmail.com
Comments