For many people, 2016 has been a long year. During difficult times, I often turn to writing as an outlet. When I can’t find the words I have found it is often helpful to turn to the words of others. Here are the words of Maya Angelou, a poet, activist and phenomenal woman. Whether you use these quotes to push yourself through finals or as inspiration for the New Year, I hope they drive you to be the best version of yourself.
“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.”
“The thing to do, it seems to me, is to prepare yourself so you can be a rainbow in somebody else's cloud. Somebody who may not look like you. May not call God the same name you call God - if they call God at all. I may not dance your dances or speak your language. But be a blessing to somebody. That's what I think.”
“One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.”
“You may write me down in history with your bitter, twisted lines. You may trod me in the very dirt, but still, like dust, I'll rise.”
“Whatever you want to do, if you want to be great at it, you have to love it and be able to make sacrifices for it.”
“My mother said I must always be intolerant of ignorance but understanding of illiteracy. That some people, unable to go to school, were more educated and more intelligent than college professors.”
“I believe we are still so innocent. The species are still so innocent that a person who is apt to be murdered believes that the murderer, just before he puts the final wrench on his throat, will have enough compassion to give him one sweet cup of water.”
“There is a very fine line between loving life and being greedy for it.”
“Loving someone liberates the lover as well as the beloved. And that kind of love comes with age.”
“Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told: 'I'm with you kid. Let's go.'”
“I am never proud to participate in violence, yet I know that each of us must care enough for ourselves that we can be ready and able to come to our own defense when and wherever needed.”
“Find a beautiful piece of art. If you fall in love with Van Gogh or Matisse or John Oliver Killens, or if you fall love with the music of Coltrane, the music of Aretha Franklin, or the music of Chopin - find some beautiful art and admire it, and realize that that was created by human beings just like you, no more human, no less.”
“Eating is so intimate. It's very sensual. When you invite someone to sit at your table and you want to cook for them, you're inviting a person into your life.”
“We write for the same reason that we walk, talk, climb mountains or swim the oceans - because we can. We have some impulse within us that makes us want to explain ourselves to other human beings. That's why we paint, that's why we dare to love someone - because we have the impulse to explain who we are.”
“I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.”
