Wednesday, May 28, 2014

In Memory of Maya Angelou




Maya Angelou had a way with words that was straight and honest, real to the core, influential.  Optimistic. Encouraging.

She passed away yesterday at age 86, leaving a legacy: joy emerges in the midst of life’s diverse, sometimes stark, realities. She was spirited.  Energetic.  Unafraid. Passionately human. She has been called “a modern Renaissance woman.”

“I’ve learned people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”  -Maya Angelou

I’ve correspondingly learned people don’t care about the person you think you should be, or would like to be, but want to know the real, authentic person you are.  If you’re candid and genuine, they’re more willing to risk transparency in return. “People will never forget how you made them feel,” if they can find safety with you in the context of a world that teaches guardedness and self-containment.

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