WORDS THAT MATTER
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Maya Angelou was an American memoirist, popular poet, and civil rights activist who died nine years ago. During her eight-plus decades, she published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and my favorite: I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS.
But what I appreciate most are her special words of wisdom:
She wrote: “I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.”
(Her lesson to me: Nobody goes unscathed through life. It’s not always easy but accept it, deal with it, Val, and move on.)
“I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they are gone from your life.”
(It’s a rare day when I don’t remember my mother’s scathing but fabulous wit, her brutal but necessary honesty, and her claws-out tiger-mom devotion to her four kids. I will miss my dad’s unconditional love and support forever.)
“I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.”
(Mistakes are made. Repercussions don’t last forever. Keep calm, carry on, and learn from your errors, Val. You’ve had more than a few!)
“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 some things back.”
(It’s not easy to stand up for yourself. But who else is going to do it, if not you? Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Go ahead: step on eggshells. And crush them!)
“I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one.”
(At my “stage of life,” pain is prevalent. But I’m not going to allow my achy knees, back, shoulders or arthritic pinkies ruin a sunny (or rainy … or snowy) day. Or someone else’s. Just deal with it, Val.)
“I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.”
(Oh my goodness, do I ever! So I Google voraciously because I love to learn new facts or clarify old ones. I view any experience as a stepping stone to greater understanding and honed wisdom.)
Perhaps Maya Angelou’s most famous quote is: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
(So I say to myself: Stop, think and don’t be afraid to offer “I’m sorry” or “I never meant to hurt you” or “Thanks! You made my day!” In doing so, I make my day.)
Feelings matter. Words matter, and for me, Maya Angelou’s especially..
