Have you ever had someone challenge your very being? Has anyone ever told you that being who you are is not acceptable? Have you been told you need to change who you are to match the expectations of some other party? Read this. Hear this. Believe this:
Still I Rise
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.
Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.
Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.
Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?
Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise
-
Maya Angelou
Yup. Inspiring. And ever so true. Always be who you are and NEVER let anyone tell you that who you actually are is not okay. That being said, don't lie to yourself, either, and pretend to be something you are not. Just Be. Trust me...it's a happy thing.
I know for some the above poem may have very different meaning, but for me, that is right where it hit and spoke to me.
I know for some the above poem may have very different meaning, but for me, that is right where it hit and spoke to me.
I've also been greatly inspired by a couple of songs lately, so I am sharing those with you today. Go into your weekend encouraged to JUST BE! It will be GREAT!!!
So...go create something that represents YOU! A photograph, a piece of art, a recipe, your very own yoga pose...I don't care what it is, I just give you this challenge today! GO and BE!
Jingle Out...
...but always me.
Just say'n. ;-)
so true and I LOVE this!
ReplyDeleteSo true!! =)
ReplyDeleteLove the poem and the song!
ReplyDeleteohhh Jingle THANK YOU sooo much!!!!
ReplyDeleteI sooo needed this...
hugs
Brenda
thank you jingle :)
ReplyDeleteMaya has such a way with words. So inspiring!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful day to read your post. I LOVED the poem and you are right...it is one that each person can interpret to fit them. I have always been outside the norm..the quirky one..the girl with the rose colored glasses BUT that's alright because I finally realize that all those things are what make me ME and special. Thank you for reminding me.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Regi
Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteWe have to be who we are, its too hard to try and be someone else.
It is impossible to please everyone and yes, there are always those people who try to have you be something you are not or to think as they do. Be happy and yes, be you!
ReplyDeleteFabulous poem!!
ReplyDeleteOh, I am definitely ME, take me or leave me. Hell, I even changed my profile pic on the blog today just to prove a point! HA!
ReplyDeleteEverything you have said here is SO true. I know exactly who I am - and I will always try to be true to myself...no matter what. Thanks for sending out a reminder to all about this. Theresa
ReplyDeleteThanks Jingle, I needed that. Came at the perfect time. Bless you.
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Jingle :) Happy Saturday!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite poems by Maya and being yourself is the only way to be in a world of crazy distractions. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart
ReplyDeleteBravo~
ReplyDelete