Maya Angelou has been one of the few African-American women to leave an indelible mark in the world of literature. Not just there, but one on my mind too. Her writings, not simply evocative of unspoken human sentiments, but also those of poignant contemplations into the abyss of human complexities has been the musings of many a writers. Today, I bring to you my favorite words, sayings, or phrases of Maya Angelou as witnessed in her writing or her speaking. So, don’t just glance over the words, but look deep into the charisma of the women who wrote them, spoke them, and lived them. . .

1. “Try to be the rainbow in somebody’s cloud.”

This simple, yet profound statement is a lot more than just a common platitude. Symbolically, it asks one to be the colorful hope in somebody’s misery; to be the radiance in somebody’s gloom, and to be the defining shape in somebody’s amorphousness.

2. "Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.”

Yes, nothing can. We cane be tortured physically, ruined materially, but nothing can quaff the strong resolve built from core of one's determination - one's being.

3. "I am a woman phenomenally; phenomenal woman that’s me.”

This is self-explanatory. Funny thing is, she states her womanhood as her natural gift first, and immediately boasts later of how well she carries it. Conceit? No, confidence I say.

4. “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”

This is so true for so many people. What we all see is generally the finished product, and not the struggle that one undergoes to achieve that finish line. So step back and ask one about their journey. . .everything beautiful today probably had a rough past somewhere. Take the effort to know.

5. “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”

This one defines ME most absolutely. I have found nothing else that comes close to the spirit of my being! Maya was a woman of some substance! She wasn't a morose writer replete with melancholic feelings asking for freedom, she was an amazing personality who cherished life - with a funny, happy, stylish side! :)