Super Soul Sunday on the OWN network always seems to touch a part of my soul, motivate and inspire me in the exact ways I've been craving and needed all in one. Last week and today Oprah interview Dr. Maya Angelou. At the age of 85 Dr. Angelou continues to inspire those she encounters across the globe. Many things she shared during her "Super Soul"interview resonated with me, but there are two pieces I would like to share with all of you...
In our lives' journey there people who have come before us and paved the way for us to leave this world better than we have found it, they have allowed us to be free and to make the decisions we choose to make on a daily basis, they have loved and forgave so we too can learn to love and forgive. As Dr. Angelou says, "your crown has already been bought and paid for, all you have to do is put it on your head." A definitely powerful statement to ponder as we live each day and reflect on who and what got us to the place in our life we are now.
The second point I would like to bring home, is that of Virtue. Dr. Angelou spoke about virtue she considers to be the most important, and it just so happens that I also consider this virtue to be the most important. COURAGE is the virtue Dr. Angelou and I both consider to be virtue that will help to pull you through the most challenging and happiest times of your life.
"Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without it, you cannot practice any other virtues consistently." I have the word "Courage" tattooed on my left wrist; as a woman who is living independently with a disability it is important to remind myself each day, the obstacles and hurdles as well as, the success I have had, and the courage in my soul that has to be brought to the surface each day to achieve my dreams.
To close this post I would like to share the poem "Phenomenal Woman" and share photos of some phenomenal women in my life who have helped to shape me into the woman I am today, and continue to become.
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Maya Angelou
