“I am grateful to have been loved and to love now. And to be able to love. Because love liberates. It doesn’t just hold. That’s ego. … Love liberates. It doesn’t bind. Love says I love you. I love you if you’re in China. I love you if you’re across town. I love you if you’re in Harlem. I love you. I would like to be near you. I’d like to have your arms around me. I’d like to hear your voice in my ear, but I love you. Go.”

~ Maya Angelou, American Poet, Author, and Civil Rights Activist & so much more.

Maya Angelou was, and remains, one of those wonderful women who inspire me deeply, through her clear and poetic words that invite the ‘better angels of our nature’ while deftly calling out the costs of shadow, too. But also through her own manner, a dignity born from living through challenge and emerging on the other side.

As one writer noted, Ms. Angelou had the ability to see through the culturally defined barriers and right on through to a person’s soul. No small gift, and one that’s needed in great supply now.

Another writer emphasized that Angelou was strong, “tender, witty, warm, and above all, resilient.” Also valuable and always timely gifts.

Listen to Ms. Angelou’s interview excerpt (a mere 5 minutes), including a heart-warming story about her mother ‘liberating her’ through real love — being a true believing mirror (though these beautiful gifts can be cultivated and extended in any relationship or interaction … that’s the Beauty Way of it!).

Note …

(In recent days, I’ve felt deeply silent — in so far as public writings go (though I’ve been interpersonally busy  ‘in person’ locally and with clients near and far) — as I witness what’s been unfolding in my long-time home (NorCal), affecting people and places I know and love, and upheaval and awareness-stirring eruptions in other areas of the country and world … witnessing, observing, noticing, listening, sensing, feeling. It’ll ‘tip’ into an outward flow of heart-and-soulful writings soon.)

So … An Energies of Now and other musings brewing in the Muse cauldron … stay tuned.

In the meanwhile …

Big Love,

Jamie

For a a Sophiastrology or Mentor-Coaching Consultation, or Wise Women, Wise Guides Apprenticeship conversation:

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Feature Image Credit: Maya Angelou speaking at York College, February 4, 2013. Creative Commons – York College.