Maybe when you look at a page with massive amounts of quotes, it kind of makes each quote a little bit less special, and its harder to appreciate the depth of a real great quote when it is right beside another great one. But I could never pick a favorite with these... I have always loved so many Maya Angelou quotes (and poems etc). But at this juncture of my life every single word I read speaks so loudly to me and fills me with a strong sense of agreement and inspiration. I know some people like to go through life saying that they have "no regrets" and usually I try to take the lesson out of my mistakes to not look at them as regrets. But this mistake, I do regret: When Maya Angelou was at Chapman University in the spring of 2007, I didn't ditch my class to hear her speak. (Way to be responsible at the wrong time) And I regret that, so much. I should have gone to listen to her speak, I will always regret not going. So that has to go on my bucket list for me to cross off, as soon as possible.
Here is a collection of my favorites saying by Maya Angelou. Some you have probably heard, others maybe not.
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain."
"The first time someone shows you who they are, believe them."
"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have."
"Life loves the liver of it."
"To be left alone on the tightrope of youthful unknowing is to experience the excruciating beauty of full freedom and the threat of eternal indecision"
"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. "
"A woman who is convinced that she deserves to accept only the best challenges herself to give the best. Then she is living phenomenally"
"Some people cannot see a good thing when it is right here, right now. Others can sense a good thing coming when it is days, months, or miles away."
"Let's tell the truth to people. When people ask, 'How are you?' have the nerve sometimes to answer truthfully. You must know, however, that people will start avoiding you because, they, too, have knees that pain them and heads that hurt and they don't want to know about yours. But think of it this way: If people avoid you, you will have more time to meditate and do fine research on a cure for whatever truly afflicts you."
"To those who have given up on love: I say, "Trust life a little bit."
"Success is loving life and daring to live it.
"All great achievements require time."
"My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return."
"Most people don't grow up. Most people age. They find parking spaces, honor their credit cards, get married, have children, and call that maturity. What that is, is aging."
"I don't trust anyone who doesn't laugh."
"Be present in all things and thankful for all things"
"Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope"
"Stepping onto a brand-new path is difficult, but not more difficult than remaining in a situation, which is not nurturing to the whole woman"
"The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise."
"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one."
"Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realize that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as art."
"I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick ass."
"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."
"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"
"Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it."
"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life." I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. 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. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
— Maya Angelou
