Maya Angelou's 9 Timeless Life Lessons

Happy Birthday to the late, great mother of wisdom, Ms. Maya Angelou. The writer, poet and singer would have been 97 years old today, and thankfully she left behind such brilliant works for us to still feed on today. Read the great laureate’s best advice inside. 

“Thank God for you maya Angelou for all the positive things you have done for the communities and this country you were a strong woman and a good example for our young girls and ladies.”- @MarioAdameJr1

Ms. Angelou’s long career has spanned over 50 years and includes seven published autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and slew of plays, movies, and television shows. On top of that, the legendary poet was also known for her involvement in the Civil Right movement. In 1959, she moved to New York, joined the Harlem Writers Guild where she met several major African-American authors and was published for the first time.

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In the 1960’s, her career as a writer officially took off and she befriended fellow literary legends like James Baldwin and Rosa Guy. We should all be thankful that we were alive during the same lifetime to experience a rare gem such as Maya Angelou. We’re even more blessed as Black folks to have had an elder who wasn’t stingy with her wisdom.

In honor of the great poet’s birthday, hit the flip for some of the best life advice Ms. Maya Angelou gave us to live by. May her beautiful soul rest in peace.

1. On Life

I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.

2. On Being Yourself

If you’re always trying to be normal you will never know how amazing you can be.

4. On Passion & Patience

Seek patience and passion in equal amounts. Patience alone will not build the temple. Passion alone will destroy its walls

5. On Following Your Dreams

Whatever you want to do, if you want to be great at it, you have to love it and be able to make sacrifices for it.

6. On Courage

Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time.

Courage – you develop courage by doing small things like just as if you wouldn’t want to pick up a 100-pound weight without preparing yourself.

7. On Creativity

You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.

8. On Confidence

Stand up straight and realize who you are. That you tower over your circumstances. You are a child of God. Stand up straight.

9. On Respect

I respect myself and insist upon it from everybody. And because I do it, I then respect everybody, too.

Happy birthday, Maya Angelou!

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