“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,
For a a Sophiastrology or Mentor-Coaching Consultation, or Wise Women, Wise Guides Apprenticeship conversation:
Guidance for Now-Times: Current Featured Offerings
Feature Image Credit: Maya Angelou speaking at York College, February 4, 2013. Creative Commons – York College.
October 13, 2017 at 6:59 pm
Holy Shit are the words that just came out of my mouth! Those are some powerful beautiful words. Thought I didn’t have too many tears left for the long ago passings of my mother and grandmother, but that video managed to find them. Maya Angelou was quite a gift to us. I had not seen that clip before. Thank you 🙏
October 14, 2017 at 12:07 pm
You’re welcome, Kimberley. I’ll have another Angelou musing to share soon — it’s in the creative cauldron, bubbling away. I was happy to share this one in the meanwhile, and delighted to find the video so words could come through with voice and presence. Glad it stirred.
Thanks for stopping by. 🙂 xoxo Love, Jamie
October 14, 2017 at 7:51 am
OMG, so beautiful and true I cried. Thank you so much for sharing! Grateful that video captured her presence for us, as well as her words.
October 14, 2017 at 12:10 pm
So glad you enjoyed it, Pamela. It’s evocative and straight-forward … Love Liberates.
You’re welcome for the ‘share’; I was delighted to find the video so that those beautiful and powerful words (which I’d tucked away in my inspiration-share folder) could come through in her own voice and presence.
Her voice reminds me of my paternal grandmother’s laugh … deep honeyed mirth … and that’s always a pleasure to remember.
Lots of love, and thanks for stopping by. Jamie
October 15, 2017 at 5:23 pm
I love Maya Angelou, it seems that every word she ever said was inspiring! I was lucky to see her speak once at an event in Manchester.
October 15, 2017 at 9:13 pm
How fortunate that you were able to see her in Manchester! I appreciate her example and generously shared inspiration, too.
October 16, 2017 at 2:30 am
I love Maya Angelou! Thanks for the article Jamie:) x0
October 17, 2017 at 6:39 pm
I do too, Bridget. So much inspiration! Thanks for stopping by. xoxo
October 18, 2017 at 12:11 am
So inspirational as always. Thank you, Jamie. I’m glad you share your words. I also understand the need for deep silence. I’m feeling it, too.