Memoirs and autobiographies are quickly becoming one of my favorite genres. I love being able to see into these women's incredible lives and I'm grateful that they chose to share their stories. Here are some amazing and inspiring quotes from 4 great memoirs/autobiographies to motivate you this week
"I will claim myself for myself."
"I
told a student today: You shouldn't be so hard on yourself. Praise
yourself as much as you fuss at yourself.' And I could have been talking
to myself. And I was. And I will."
"I'm just really into walking in my purpose and saying yes to life right now. Ya know?"
"Change was in the air like a cloud and it was finally raining on me."
"Don't let anyone else take away your joy. If they don't want to be with you or around you, let them go. Pick up your shit and keep going. You came into the world by yourself, and the next person's lungs don't help you breathe."
“Love heals. Heals and liberates. I use the word love, not
meaning sentimentality, but a condition so strong that it may be that
which holds the stars in their heavenly positions, which causes
the blood to flow orderly in our veins.”
“Don't do anything that you think is wrong. Do what you think is
right, and then be ready to back it up even with your life.”
"Read everything. The more knowledge you have, the less a man can use you for poppy-show"
"I
go from place to place spouting the gospel of courage and survival. I
encourage victims to take hold of destiny and chart it for themselves."
In 1851 at the Women's Right Convention in Akron, Ohio, Sojourner Truth delivered her famous "Ain't I A Woman?" speech and it is still a very important part of our culture and history. This speech is still highly celebrated, shared, and taught. We're still having conversations about who women's rights are for. Sometimes when we're talking about rights we forget that our identities overlap and therefore the rights we're gonna fight for should overlap as well.
Ain't I A Woman is always a great read. Unfortunately there's no way to see these words being read by Sojourner Truth herself but many women have recited them and there is so much beauty and power in all of their performances. I posted some of my favorites below. Enjoy!
---
"Well, children, where there
is so much racket there must be something
out of kilter. I think that 'twixt the
negroes of the South and the women at
the North, all talking about rights,
the white men will be in a fix pretty
soon. But what's all this here talking
about?
That man over there says
that women need to be helped into carriages,
and lifted over ditches, and to have
the best place everywhere. Nobody ever
helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles,
or gives me any best place! And ain't
I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm!
I have ploughed and planted, and gathered
into barns, and no man could head me!
And ain't I a woman? I could work as
much and eat as much as a man - when
I could get it - and bear the lash as
well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne
thirteen children, and seen most all
sold off to slavery, and when I cried
out with my mother's grief, none but
Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?
Then they talk about
this thing in the head; what's this
they call it? [member of audience whispers,
"intellect"] That's it, honey. What's
that got to do with women's rights or
negroes' rights? If my cup won't hold
but a pint, and yours holds a quart,
wouldn't you be mean not to let me have
my little half measure full?
Then that little man
in black there, he says women can't
have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ
wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ
come from? Where did your Christ come
from? From God and a woman! Man had
nothing to do with Him.
If the first woman God
ever made was strong enough to turn
the world upside down all alone, these
women together ought to be able to turn
it back , and get it right side up again!
And now they is asking to do it, the
men better let them.
Obliged to you for hearing
me, and now old Sojourner ain't got
nothing more to say."
As I sit here watching MasterChef and I think about how much I love competition shows like this. This one is only one of my favorites. I'm also a big fan of Top Chef, Project Runway, Chopped, Great Food Truck Race, and so many others. I love television programs that showcase people working so hard to achieve or gain better access to their life goals and dreams. I think these shows are so inspirational. They can be such a big source of motivation as well. A lot of times, we see people drop so much to go to where these shows are filmed and stay there for weeks at a time because they so strongly believe in following their dreams. It's perfect example of putting "faith over fear."
I think we should aspire to chase our dreams. In a perfect world, wouldn't it be great if we were all able to drop everything to chase our dreams. In a perfect world, we probably wouldn't have anything standing in our way. Unfortunately, we don't live in a perfect world. However, there is so much beauty in the process of baby steps and slowly turning our dreams into reality. Sometimes beautiful and amazing things take time. We cannot make things happen overnight, but we cannot let the size of our dreams deter us from taking that first brave step.
So I watch these shows because I think it's so cool to see hard work turn into something beautiful and see people proud of what they've made. It's cool to watch people overcome failures and work through losses and challenges. They're people like us. We can identify with their stories and they motivate us to chase our own dreams. It's all very cool!
This week I had a lot of reasons to smile and be happy. This week started off with a bang. My little brother graduated from the 5th grade! It's so cool to see him grow up. It really shows you how fast life goes by. This is the little baby who bumped me up from an only child to a big sister and now he's on his way to middle school! He looked so handsome in his little suit and I just loved seeing him so excited and proud of himself. I loved that so much!! It was a very exciting day and I can't wait to share more graduation days together! I love him so much!!!
This week I also got to attend the graduation ceremony of my former students! I met the majority of these kids on February 6, 2014. So while I haven't known them their whole lives, they hold a special place in my heart. I worked with them during after school and during summer camp. I began working with them in 4th grade and I was able to move up with them which is a reason I think I was able to create such a special bond with them. It was also exciting that they were the same age as my brother so it was really cool being able to get a glimpse firsthand to what my brother may be experiencing in school because it's so different from when I was in 4th and 5th grade.
For a year and some change, I was able to see them grow. Unfortunately, I had to leave them to focus on finishing my master's degree and I missed them immensely but they are part of the reason that I am pushing myself to finish school strong. I started working there hoping to encourage and empower these beautiful students and they've taught me so much. They encourage me to be better and do better. They are reality and they are the future. I'll be honest, some days were really hard but I wouldn't trade the chaos, hours of long division, research projects, and all the noise for anything! I value the time I spent with them.
Their successes and the success of all classes of 2015 would be impossible without the incredible support systems that these students have. A special shout out to all the people who support these students especially to my former coworker, Jay, who I am so glad I got to share my time with. We really worked hard to make sure our kids felt loved and empowered. We did our best. Their support system is so vital, their teachers, their school staff, afterschool teachers, their families, and especially their parents. I got to meet so many loving and wonderful parents! So many people got these kids to where they are today and that's so special and important. A part of the reason I consider my students an inspiration for me to do so well in school is that they are proof of what a good support system can do and one day I want to be a licensed professional so I can be better equipped for larger support systems that allow people to thrive in life.
I'm just so happy that I got the chance to be a part of this milestone in their life and may their life paths be filled of so many more happy moments and accomplishments!
---
Quote of the week:
"Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise."
I made a vision binder to put some of my goals and inspirations in one place. My inspiration for my vision binder was a vision board. I've wanted to make a vision board for a long time but I've just never had the space or materials that I wanted for the vision board that I was envisioning. I happened to see this beautiful binder in Target and stood in front of it for a few minutes because I know I didn't need it but I wanted it so I just needed to give it a purpose before I bought it.
I wanted to make sure that my vision binder was a true reflection of me. I've been working on it for about a month and the cool thing about it is that I can keep adding as I go along. It's kind of structured. I put pages as they fit into categories I made but there isn't a table of contents or anything.
The first section is where I put inspirational quotes that I love, affirmations, pictures of people who inspire me, and general self-care reminders. This section really makes me smile. It really brightens my spirits and reminds me to protect my spirit. The next section is my travel section. In that section I have pictures of places that I WILL travel to. I also have pictures of things to do while traveling like skiing, boat rides, and what landmarks I really want to see. The section after that focuses on body health. I have a few recipes and workout routines. I also made sure to put reminders to drink water and nourish my hair as well as my body. The last section I like to call "Motivation & Me." In this section, I put my goals, I put reminders of who I am and what my life journey means to me. I made sure to include pictures of my accomplishments and some of the moments in my life that really push me forward. I have a picture of me working on a campaign and I have a picture from the day I graduated. I also have a long lists of the books I'll be reading in the future and a few magazine articles that really inspired me. This section keeps me focused on my long term life goals. This section motivates me to stick to my goals and to remain true to myself.
My goal is to have a few quiet minutes to myself every day to look through the binder as a form of daily motivation and inspiration. Unfortunately it doesn't happen every day but I do really love looking through it. It's hard work that reminds me of all the hard work and beautiful results that I've already accomplished and all the hard work and beautiful results that my future holds.
The people who know me best know that I LOVE award shows and award show season. I think there is something so special about seeing people so proud of themselves and their peers. I enjoy seeing people on the red carpet that look like me. It makes me incredibly happy to hear how happy they are to be living out their dreams. That is what black excellence looks like
♥
“…thanks for this award, especially on behalf of my daughters, who I want to know, with this nose, this height, this color skin, these arms.. look what you can accomplish.”
I love books! At the beginning of 2014 I made a goal to read more.
That was going well and I was reading for pleasure and loving it. Then I
started grad school and reading for fun took a back seat but I'm so
glad I got to read each and everyone of these books this year. Here is
the list with links to my blog posts about them:
I took my selfie yesterday on the 6th but I never got the chance to upload it! I had a great day. I went to a family potluck and really enjoyed myself. There was great company and great food so no complaints.
So yesterday, and this past month has been very interesting. I feel as though now I'm becoming a lot more comfortable with myself. I finally feel like I'm settling after having moved from Florida to New York last December. I'm really getting the hang of things.
I also have been experimenting more with bright colors and accessories that I feel compliment my personality more. So I really wanted to make sure my new favorite lip color made my September selfie!
This month I've been making sure I edit myself less. As I'm growing, a daily process, I realize the importance of being my authentic self and loving my authentic self as much as I can. I think it's really important to be myself. I can't edit myself for anyone. Take me as I am!
I started grad school last week and while I am a bit nervous, I couldn't be more excited to be going back to school and furthering my education. I would say 60% excitement and 40% nervousness. I'm only in my second week though so I believe that will change.
I go back to work tomorrow so that's one major thing I'm looking forward to. I missed my students so I'll be happy to see them again.!
I'm happy to be alive and I'm ready to see what this month brings me.
Just finished reading something special. For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow is Enuf is a choreopoem by Ntozake Shange. I read this and it made me feel special. It makes me feel powerful in my own skin. I was finishing it on the bus and holding back tears. Right before I finished reading this, I took the time to read an article called Black Girls and Suicide. It was a really emotional commute for me. It's definitely something I would recommend. I also highly recommend the Black Girls and Suicide article.
Here are some of my favorite parts and quotes:
"& this is for colored girls who have considered suicide / but are moving to the ends of their own rainbows"
♥
“my love is too delicate to have thrown back on my face.
my love is too beautiful to have thrown back on my face.
my love is too sanctified to have thrown back on my face.
my love is too magic to have thrown back on my face.
my love is too saturday nite to have thrown back on my face.
my love is too complicated to have thrown back on my face.
my love is too music to have thrown back on my face.”
♥
I just love this part to pieces. These words, like so many others in the book touched me so much. My love is too delicate to have thrown back in my face. I cannot trust it with just anyone. It is very important to me to give my love and my self only to those who I think deserve it. I've decided that I don't want to be stepped on. I don't want to put something do important to me in the hands of someone who doesn't value it. One of biggest battles and one thing that I try so hard to change is my feeling guilty about being selfish about my own self. I am priceless. You are priceless. We don't have to share any part of ourselves with anyone else. What you want to share is up to you. What I share is up to me. The decision is mine. Through recovery, self discovery, self realizations, triumphs, sadnesses and successes, my magical love has held me when no one else could and I'm not in any position to just throw it around.
♥
"this is mine/ this ain't yr stuff/ now why don't you put me back & let me hang out in my own self" "wontchu put me back/ "stealing my shit from me/ don't make it yrs / makes it stolen/" "if it's really my stuff/ ya gotta give it to me / if ya really want it / i'm the only one / can handle it"
My experiences are mine and they are valid. My life is my own and not to be compared with anyone else's. I refuse to have my accomplishments shared while I drown in my losses alone.
Protect yourself from people that only want to be there for the highs. Watch out for those who are only around when you're up. Some people only want to share your successes but are no where to be found when you need help or when you're down.
Be careful not to compare your life and your "stuff" to other people's. You are living one life and one life only and it is yours. There is no competition. We were not put on this planet to race or compete with anyone. Live your life to the best of your ability. It's the only one you have so don't waste it focusing on someone else's.
You belong to you. I belong to me! I am my own woman.
♥
"one thing i don't need
is any more apologies
i got sorry greetin me at my front door
you can keep yrs
i dont know what to do wit em
they dont open doors
or bring the sun back
they dont make me happy
or get a morning paper
didnt nobody stop usin my tears to wash cars
cuz a sorry
i am simply tiredof collectin"
It's hard to hear sorry sometimes. It's almost like a reflex to some people. Sometimes it doesn't have any meaning behind it. Sometimes I get sick of that word "sorry." I want to hear someone take responsibility. I think apologies should mean something. Don't even get me started on those super fake apologies that sound like, "I'm sorry that you think I did something wrong." What does that even mean? When you apologize, you should take responsibility instead of placing the blame on the person you've wronged. Sometimes I just don't know how to feel about "I'm sorry." Most times I appreciate the effort but "sorry" doesn't always fix anything and sometimes people don't even mean it.
"let sorry soothe yr soul / i'm gonna soothe mine"
♥
"but bein alive & bein a woman & being colored is a metaphysical dilemma / i havent conquered yet / do you see the point my spirit is too ancient to understand the separation of soul & gender / my love is too delicate to have thrown back on my face"
♥
"i found god in myself & I loved her / i loved her fiercely"
Good morning beautiful! It's the beginning of a new week! Before you start your week off. How about starting your week off by setting a few minutes aside to focus on yourself. Take deep breaths and just think about whatever your heart desires. My suggestion this morning is yoga. Yoga is great because it's relaxing and it's good for your body. It can help increase flexibility, improve balance, reduce anxiety, and lower stress levels. Here is a cute routine I found on pinterest that I love. While you do your yoga, I would suggest playing music that you like and find soothing. I'll add some recommendations below the yoga poses.
Maya Angelou was a precious gift to us all. She was truly a phenomenal woman and an inspiration to all. I find comfort in knowing that her words will live on forever. Her voice, like her words, were magical. I delighted in listening to her speak, watching her interviews and speeches, listening to her recitals, and using that as motivation to work harder and to do better.
In 11th grade I kept her words and her pictures on my English binder to remind myself that I was beautiful, unique, and phenomenal. Her words reminded me that even though I felt sad and lonely, I was definitely worth something and I deserved to feel good about myself. In those moments during my freshman year of college when I felt defeated and alone, her words on my room wall were a daily reminder that I was going to make it through this and that I had the power in my to stand strong and rise against what I thought were my biggest challenges. When I graduated, her words decorated my cap and my graduation announcements. He words have helped me as I learned to accept and love myself. Her words allowed me to be okay with celebrating me and I know that her words and her legacy will continue to nourish my soul for the rest of my life.
Dear Dr. Maya Angelou,
I'm so thankful for your words. Thank you for inspiring me and being a constant source of motivation in my life. Your precious words have helped me get to where I am today. You have helped me learn to love and appreciate myself. I'm glad that your words will live forever. I will continue to live by your words. To rise against my fears and stand strong. Thank you for sharing your spirit, your stories, your smile, your knowledge, and your words. May you always be celebrated and may you rest in peace.
"I'm just really into walking in my purpose and saying yes to life right now. Ya know?"
