Life Lessons From Maya Angelou

The Life of Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou was an African-American civil rights activist and writer. She lived a life filled with challenge and success.

Her early years were filled with difficulty which was depicted in her very first major work, 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings', she wrote about her experience with sexual trauma, and how her mother’s boyfriend raped her when she was a child. She didn’t shy away from showing the world her scars and her pain. While she could have let these traumatic experiences define her, she didn’t. Rather, she changed her perspective which worked out for her benefit. Angelou has written 36 books and has had more than 50 honorary degrees in her lifetime.

What we can learn from her story?

What I love about Maya Angelou story is that she did not let her circumstances define her.

1. Change our Perspective

When faced with a challenging situation we need to change our perspective. In doing so we realise that the challenge is only for a time for a time. This is because situations change and opportunities arise. We should jump at every opportunity life throws us. Changing our perspective enables us to think of the ways that this experience can make you a better person.

Our perspectives can change how we react to a situation. If we focus on the positives or things that we are grateful for. We are more likely to react to situations more positively.

Maya Angelou gives a wonderful illustration of this when she says

"You can tell a lot about a person by the way (s) he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights." — Maya Angelou

Our perspectives allows us to control what we can control and let go of the rest. For example, if you can change anything about the difficult season. DO. Don't just sit there. You have a beautiful voice and I want you to feel empowered to use it. If there are things beyond your control instead of thinking negative thoughts do the opposite.

"If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude." — Maya Angelou

2. Focus on people around you

During a challenging period it is so easy to become withdrawn I know from experience. A great way to help you through this time is to focus on the people who you hold close friends, family or volunteer for a cause you care about. In doing this it can help bring the realisation that the challenge you’re facing at the moment is not the be-all and end-all.

I have found that this approach brings you forward instead of being frozen in time.

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." — Maya Angelou

3. It is the small things in life

I live by this motto. Make sure you take the time to celebrate the small things

“Life loves the liver of it.” — Maya Angelou

4. Goals make your dreams come true.

Apart of life is moving forward. Sometimes after a challenging moment, it might be easy to get stuck in a rut. Being ambitious and setting goals give us practical steps to achieving our dreams.

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” — Maya Angelou

5. Own it

Learning to embrace difficulty and knowing that it has made you who you are. Is very empowering.

''My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style.” — Maya Angelou

P.s

Don't worry if you are not where you want to be in life just yet. Keeping your dreams alive is what uplifts the human spirit. Sometimes our dreams take time. Every step in life prepares you for the next one, where you are is providing you with vital life lessons for your next adventure.

References

https://www.mayaangelou.com/biography/ https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/may/28/maya-angelou https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/maya-angelou