Maya Angelou is truly an inspiration.

Her life was filled with remarkable achievements and profound experiences that have touched the hearts and minds of countless people around the world.

Despite facing numerous hardships and challenges, she rose above them with grace, courage, and determination.

Angelou's works, including her poetry, memoirs, and novels, are a testament to her literary genius and her ability to capture the human experience in all its complexity.

Her words have the power to inspire, to heal, and to transform.

She was not only a writer but also a civil rights activist, a teacher, and a role model.

Maya Angelou's legacy will continue to live on and inspire generations to come.

Maya Angelou's wisdom is not found in the grand revelations, but in the subtleties.

She has plucked lessons from quiet moments. Her writing is both specific and vague, presenting simple truths that do not belong to one identity or experience.

She explores many grand ideas such as morality, integrity, and spirituality, and distills them with uncomplicated honesty.

This book may not be mind-blowing as many of the lessons are ones that I have already learned. However, learning them again and again and having Maya Angelou as my teacher is a great pleasure.

I would recommend reading this book aloud to oneself, a few chapters each morning and afternoon. Sitting with each chapter for a minute or so, tucking the words behind my heart and letting them resonate has been more like a meditation than a reading practice.

There are many excerpts that I will hold dear, but here is one that I particularly loved from the chapter, Death and the Legacy.

"I find surcease from the entanglement of questions only when I concede that I am not obliged to know everything. In a world where many desperately seek to know all the answers, it is not very popular to believe, and then state, I do not need to know all things. I remind myself that it is sufficient that I know what I know and know that without believing that I will always know what I know or that what I know will always be true."

It's truly difficult to find the precise words to convey just how deeply I adored this book. However, I'll give it my best shot.

Reading it was an absolute delight, as if I were engaged in profound conversations with a beloved aunt, a wise grandmother, a dearest best friend, and a cherished sister all at once. The wisdom encapsulated within these words seems to radiate from the woman herself. If I'm extremely fortunate, perhaps one day I'll grow to be like her.

There are certain books that simply offer a wonderful reading experience, transporting us back to our true selves and reaffirming the existence of our souls. Maya Angelou reminds us that every action we take, every seed we plant, and every ounce of energy we release into the world has a direct impact on shaping the world around us and will ultimately return to us. If my words sound biblical, it's because reading this book was almost a religious and undoubtedly a spiritual encounter.

Welcome to my very short list of idols, Maya Angelou. The world suffered a great loss when you passed away. Your departure has left the world a little more dreary and dull.

In this remarkable book, Maya Angelou delved deep into her thoughts on being a woman. She emphasized the importance of living life to the fullest and appreciating everyone for their similarities rather than focusing on their differences. Through her words, she shared the profound wisdom she had gained from a life well-lived.

In one of the short essays, she recounted a memory of a valuable lesson she learned from her grandmother regarding the futility of complaining. Her grandmother wisely explained that "those dead folks would give anything, anything at all for just five minutes of this weather or ten minutes of that plowing that person was grumbling about. So watch yourself about complaining, Sister. What you're supposed to do when you don't like a thing is change it. If you can't change it, change the way you think about it. Don't complain." This simple yet powerful message has been expressed before, but it is indeed worthy of our attempt to follow, regardless of who originally said it.

This book is an excellent choice to read at the end of the year, when we are reflecting on the year that has passed. It can also be a great read at the beginning of the year, as we are envisioning the year to come. It has the potential to inspire us, to make us think differently, and to encourage us to live our lives with purpose and gratitude.

I would highly recommend this book to (almost) anyone. It is truly an incredibly uplifting piece of work. The stories within it are filled with an abundance of generosity, a quality that we often find lacking in our busy and sometimes self-centered day to day lives. As I delved into the pages, I was constantly amazed by the kindness and selflessness displayed by the characters. Each story seems to hold a valuable lesson that everyone can benefit from learning. Whether you are looking for inspiration, a reminder of the good in the world, or simply a heartwarming read, this book has something for you. I firmly believe that by reading it, you will be touched and perhaps even motivated to bring more generosity and kindness into your own life.

I truly have a profound liking for this book.

She, the author, is an incredibly remarkable woman who has an abundance of wise and insightful things to impart.

One of the quotes from the book that I hold dear is “Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.”

This quote really makes me think deeply about the power of travel and human connection.

I firmly believe that this book would serve as an excellent gift for a young individual who is just commencing their journey in life.

It has the potential to inspire and guide them, opening their minds to different perspectives and cultures.

The wisdom and experiences shared within its pages can help shape their世界观 and人生观, equipping them with the tools they need to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Overall, this book is not only a great read but also a valuable resource for personal growth and development.

This is truly fabulous.

I was presented with this as a gift almost 20 years ago when I was still in my teens, and I just re-read it recently. It is filled with essays and prose that beautifully explore womanhood, bravery, kindness, and confidence.

This was my initial introduction to Maya Angelou, and reading it for the second time was just as wonderful an experience as the first time. As you read it, you can almost hear her voice - wise and soothing - which is an added delight.

This makes an excellent gift for a woman of any age, but especially for a young woman. Anytime you want to feel a little more connected to all that you are, or connected to the wonderful women in your life, just curl up with Maya, a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. It's a truly magical and inspiring experience that will leave you feeling uplifted and empowered.

Maya Angelou is a remarkable figure. She is the author of best-selling books like I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and has written collections of poetry. She read her poem On the Pulse of Morning at President Clinton's inauguration. The book Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now is an inspirational work, written as short essays, covering various topics. In it, she tells the story of Annie Johnson, who overcame many difficulties to create a successful business. Angelou's prose is as powerful as poetry, as seen in lines like "I am a big bird winging over high mountains, down into serene valleys." She also writes about her mother, Vivian Baxter, who inspired her with her courage. Angelou's grandmother taught her important lessons about life, like not complaining and changing what you don't like. In her essays, she addresses issues like racism, the need for courtesy, and the importance of creating a caring attitude. She also shares personal anecdotes, like befriending a racist Jew and writing about jealousy. Overall, Maya Angelou's work is a source of inspiration and wisdom.

Maya Angelou recites her poem for Bill Clinton's 1993 inauguration.

MAYA Angelou, the renowned author of multiple best-selling books including I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Gather Together in My Name, and the Heart of a Woman, has also penned several collections of poetry, such as Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ’fore I Diiie. She had the honor of reading her poem On the Pulse of Morning at the inauguration of President William Jefferson Clinton on January 20, 1993. Additionally, she wrote 10 one-hour programs for the television series ‘Blacks, Blues, Blacks’, which shed light on Africanisms still prevalent in American life.


Angelou struts her stuff with her partner.

However, the focus here is on Angelou’s 1993 book Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now, widely regarded as an inspirational piece. Comprising short essays, this memoir delves into themes of spirituality, significant people in her life, womanhood, racism, travel, and more.


Angelou painted by Guy Stauber.

In ‘New Directions’, she recounts the story of Annie Johnson. In 1903, Annie, an Arkansas woman with two young sons, little money, and basic literacy skills, found herself in a disastrous marriage. Her husband, Mr William Johnson, wanted to preach in Enid, Oklahoma, but didn't disclose his acquaintance with a minister there who had a friendly, unmarried daughter. The couple parted amicably. Annie, a tall and sturdy woman, refused to work as a domestic servant and leave her children in someone else's care. Instead, she decided to take matters into her own hands. Every morning, armed with an iron brazier and coal, she would walk three miles to a cotton mill, carrying two five-gallon pails filled with chicken pies. Upon arrival, she would cook fresh pies and sell them to the laborers for lunch. Then, she would walk another five miles to a lumber mill to sell her remaining pies. In the evening, she would walk the eight miles back home to take care of her children and household. The next day, she would reverse the process, first going to the saw mill and then to the cotton gin. She walked a total of 16 miles every day. Initially, business was slow, but it gradually picked up. When she was certain that the workers were dependent on her, she built a stall between the two mills and let the men come to her for their luncheon needs. She had truly stepped off the beaten path and carved out a new one for herself. Over time, that stall evolved into a store where customers could buy a wide variety of items, from cheese to cookies, and from writing tablets to soles for their worn-out shoes.
To conclude Annie Johnson’s story, Angelou borrows her own words from the essay ‘In All Ways a Woman’: ‘The woman warrior who is armed with wit and courage will be among the first to celebrate victory.’


Angelou's first album, Miss Calypso, produced in 1957, was made possible by the popularity of her nightclub act.

The power of Angelou's prose is such that it often reads like poetry. The following lines from ‘The Power of the Word’ illustrate this point: ‘I am a big bird winging over high mountains, down into serene valleys. I am ripples of waves on silver seas. I’m a spring leaf trembling in anticipation.’ The reader could easily mistake these lines for those of a poem if not informed otherwise in advance.


Maya Angelou: author, poet, civil rights activist, singer, dancer, professor, first San Francisco woman cable car conductor... the renaissance woman.

When writing about her mother, the late Vivian Baxter, she remarks, ‘She practiced stepping off the expected road and cutting herself a brand-new path anytime the desire arose. She inspired me to write the poem ‘Mrs V. B.’:
Ships? Sure I’ll sail them.
Show me the boat,
If it’ll float,
I’ll sail it.
Men? Yes, I’ll love them.
If they’ve got style,
To make me smile,
I’ll love them.
Life? ’Course I’ll live it.
Just enough breath,
Until my death,
And I’ll live it.
Failure? I’m not ashamed to tell it,
I never learned to spell it.
Not Failure.


Angelou poses with her book that found her fame and fortune.

In the anecdote titled ‘Complaining’, Angelou's grandmother imparts some valuable life lessons, teaching her how to lead a better life by persevering through difficulties: ‘So you watch yourself about complaining, sister. What you’re supposed to do when you don’t like a thing is change it. If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it. Don’t complain.’


Maya Angelou framed with President Barack Obama.

In ‘Voices of Respect’, the African-American author writes: ‘We have used terms to help us survive slavery, its aftermath, and today’s crisis of revived racism. However, now, when too many children run mad in the land, and now, when we need courtesy as much as or more than ever, and when a little tenderness between people could make life more bearable, we are losing even the appearance of courtesy. Our youth, finding little or no courtesy at home, make exodus into streets filled with violent self-revulsion and an exploding vulgarity.’
Replace the word ‘racism’ with ‘ethnicity and sectarianism’ and one can almost feel that these lines could be about Pakistan in general, and Karachi in particular. So, the youth of the US, often seen as a global power, are not so different from those of Pakistan.
She concludes: ‘We must recreate an attractive and caring attitude in our homes and in our worlds.’ This holds true not only for the US but also for Pakistan.


The audio-book of 'Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now'.

In an anecdote titled ‘Our Boys’, she writes about befriending a Jew while interviewing him for the television program ‘Blacks, Blues, Blacks’. However, she is deeply hurt to later discover that he is, in fact, a racist who hates blacks. This is why the first line reads: ‘Here is a dark little tale which exposes the general pain of racism.’ Had the situation been reversed, poor Maya Angelou would not only have been labeled an ‘anti-Semite’ but would also likely have been blacklisted by the media and book publishers.


A painting of Maya Angelou in an African dress.

In the essay titled ‘Jealousy’, she writes, ‘It must be remembered, however, that jealousy in romance is like salt in food. A little can enhance the savour, but too much can spoil the pleasure and, under certain circumstances, can be life-threatening.’
These words require little further explanation as Angelou has expressed herself so eloquently.


Angelou's poem on a porcelain mug.

"Life loves the liver of it - to live life as art requires a readiness to forgive." This profound statement is a recommendation from Bentley.

I love Maya Angelou, and I also love Bentley. This piece is a very quick read that delves into various aspects of life, love, and being a girl.

It serves as a gentle reminder not to view any period of our lives as merely transitory. Each moment is precious and holds the potential for growth, learning, and self-discovery.

We should approach life with an open heart and a willingness to forgive, both ourselves and others. By doing so, we can create a more beautiful and fulfilling existence, one that is worthy of being considered a work of art.

Let us embrace the lessons taught by this simple yet powerful text and strive to live our lives to the fullest, with love, compassion, and a readiness to forgive.

Super fast read. She writes so beautifully.

It is truly a pleasure to read her works. The words seem to flow effortlessly from her pen, creating a vivid and enchanting world for the readers.

Her writing style is unique and captivating, with a perfect balance of description and emotion.

Each sentence is carefully crafted, drawing the reader in and making them eager to turn the page.

Whether it's a short story or a novel, her writing always leaves a lasting impression.

It is no wonder that she has a large following of fans who eagerly await her next release.

Her talent for writing is truly remarkable, and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

I have a deep affection for the concept of setting aside a day for oneself.

It is truly a remarkable and ideal approach to conclude this book.

This idea of taking a day off provides a wonderful opportunity for self-reflection, relaxation, and rejuvenation.

By disconnecting from the daily hustle and bustle, one can focus on their inner self, explore their thoughts and emotions, and gain a new perspective.

It allows for a break from the routine and a chance to do things that bring joy and fulfillment.

Whether it's reading a good book, taking a long walk in nature, or simply indulging in a hobby, this day away can be a transformative experience.

It serves as a reminder to prioritize self-care and to take the time to nurture our well-being.

Ending the book with this idea gives a sense of closure and leaves the reader with a positive and inspiring thought.

It encourages us to embrace the concept of giving ourselves a day away and to make it a regular part of our lives.

A compilation of brief scenes, thoughts, and situations is presented here.

The collection has a wide range, encompassing everything from history to social graces and even autobiography.

The past and the present collide as the stories are short and end abruptly, with rapid transitions.

The story of Aunt Tee is quite interesting, and the poem on page 81 is truly fantastic. I found myself wanting to read it multiple times, and I'm sure you will too.

The personal experience stories of the writer shine the brightest. The slices of family history add a nice touch to the overall text.

However, the stories sometimes bog down with get-off-my-lawn lamentations.

Nothing is worse than an old person (like Angelou) complaining about the lack of social graces in society.

Three stories focus on the decline of civilization due to societal changes that don't align with the author's desires and wishes.

The complaints stand out because the author devotes a lot of space demanding that you take things in stride.

Strangely, the instructions for modifying your own behavior are followed by some rather juvenile whining.

On page 55, it is stated that when people are young, they have a desperate need to conform, and no one can embarrass a young person in public more than an adult they are related to.

On page 87, it is said that what you're supposed to do when you don't like a thing is change it. If you can't change it, then change the way you think about it.

This compilation offers a diverse range of content, with both engaging and less appealing aspects.