I have always come across Maya Angelou’s quotes in other books and blogs, or seeing people sharing her quotes on Facebook. They are all very inspiring, but somehow it didn’t get me to the point to read up more about her and her works.

As I read the news about her death today, I also get to learn more about her and the legacy she left behind. It got me intrigued enough to start googling about her.

I can hardly stop as I pour through Wikipedia, news articles and dedicated sites filled with her quotes.

Maya Angelou was an African black woman borned to a poor family in the US during the roaring twenties. She had a hard life in her childhood and teenage years.

At 8, she was raped by her mother’s boyfriend, who was later killed by her uncles after Maya told her relatives about the ordeal.

Because of this, it caused her too much trauma and guilt that she went mute for 5 years. It was during this silent period that she sought solace from books and literature and started to develop her passion for them.

Later on, she would struggled through life as a single mother, had a series of failed relationships, faced with poverty and went through many occupations without any former education, even to the extent that she became a prostitute just to survive.

So how did this socially and racially disadvantaged African woman go on to become a world-famous poet/author/educator/director/actress and civil rights activist who will impact generations to come?

Here’s the irony in life.

Every extraordinary person seems to originate from an ordinary life with humble or disadvantaged beginnings. Their early lives are often filled with sad stories of failures and adversities, which are often the very reasons for them to rise above the ashes.

The greater the disparity, the more impactful and inspiring they are.

As I ponder upon this question on what lies within Maya Angelou and what’s the difference between her and others, I realized it all boils down to awareness.

Maya Angelou was a voracious reader who got most of her revelation from literature and God (from the bible), where she was being presented with alternative realities, thoughts and outlook about life, despite being in dire condition and subjected to racism.

With the knowledge and wisdom gained from the books that she read and her profound faith in God, Maya Angelou went on to grow and became a courageous black woman in her times who lived freely, marched on fearlessly, loved boldly, wrote liberally and taught selflessly. Her teachings had helped countless men and women to change their lives and inspired them to rise up above all circumstances (Oprah Winfrey is one of them).

Maya Angelou is an inspiration and a role model. I might not have her level of courage and selflessness, but I believe in self-awareness and growth through the power of thoughts, power of words and power of God. I believe in continuous learning, not just about new things, but also from our past mistakes and failures. I also believe in having the courage to take steps of faith towards our dreams and convictions, despite not knowing the outcome. It’s all about having the hope and faith that the things we believe in will turn out right.

This, I feel, is what a woman’s inner strength and true beauty is about.

There are other factors that can be attributed to true beauty, but the truth is, it has absolutely nothing to do physical looks. Its about how we make an impact on others, on helping and believing in others, and being an encourager.

It’s not easy to be this type of woman because it requires us to be less self-absorbed and pay more attention to the things that others are struggling with.

It all starts with having a growth mindset. As long as we are willing to learn and change our attitudes, we will progress. Only when we are changed can we start to help others along the path.

Here are some of the amazing Maya Angelou’s quotes that I came across online:

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style”

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”

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

“Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.”

“You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off of you.”

“The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise.”

“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.”

“Living well is an art that can be developed: a love of life and ability to take great pleasure from small offerings and assurance that the world owes you nothing and that every gift is exactly that, a gift. ”

“I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one.”

“Surviving is important. Thriving is elegant.”

“First best is falling in love. Second best is being in love. Least best is falling out of love. But any of it is better than never having been in love.”

Isn’t these quotes amazing? To see more inspiring quotes from Maya Angelou, head over to goodreads.com.

Lastly, here’s a great poem on what it means to be a phenomenal woman. Can you identify with it?

Phenomenal Woman
By Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need for my care.
’Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
― Maya Angelou, Phenomenal Woman: Four Poems Celebrating Women