Summer Reading | 'I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings'

Hello friends,

I'm back with another blog post!

www.liliashealthbook.blogspot.com

Every summer I embark on a quest to read as many books as I can. I enjoy reading throughout the summer days, because this is the time that I have more free time. More time to immerse myself in a good story, to loathe certain characters, to love others, and to become part of another world.

I began my summer reading with 'I know why the caged birds sings' by Maya Angelou. I've never read her autobiography before (don't know why) but I'm glad I finally got the chance to do so. My favorite lines in the book is this one (on page 272):

" The fact that the adult American Negro female emerges a formidable character is often met with amazement, distaste and even belligerence. It is seldom accepted as an inevitable outcome of the struggle won by survivors and deserves respect if not enthusiastic acceptance."

 I had the wonderful opportunity to hear her speak last year, to marvel, to be inspired. Such a phenomenal woman!

What are you reading this summer? I would love to know, possibly add them to my summer reading list. :o)

An evening with the Phenomenal Dr. Maya Angelou

Hello friends,

This post is not my typical health related posts, but I had to share after an awesome evening with the Phenomenal Dr. Maya Angelou this past weekend. She fed my soul and uplifted my spirit.

Its not everyday that you get to meet the force that is Dr. Angelou in person. So, when I got the opportunity to listen to her speak, I grabbed/pounced/jumped at the opportunity.

Who is Dr. Angelou?

 Dr. Maya Angelou is one of the most renowned and influential voices of our time. She is a celebrated poet, novelist, educator, producer, actress, filmmaker, historian, and civil rights activist. Dr. Angelou has served on two presidential committees, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Arts, the Lincoln Medal and has received three Grammy Awards. In addition, she holds 60 honorary doctorates....Yes 60!. More about this phenomenal educator can be found on her website HERE.

Photo credit: http://mayaangelou.com

  Dr. Angelou's wisdom is awe-inspiring. She said many things, but the one quote that resonated with me was the quote by a former African slave in 160 BC who became one of the most famous playwright in the Roman Empire, Plubius Terrence. The quote reads:

 "I am human, and nothing human can be alien to me"

 According to Dr. Angelou, if we live by this quote, we can master anything that we set ourselves to do. You can be the next CEO of company X, You can open your own business, You can be that A student, You can learn and master another language or several other languages (Dr. Angelou has master French, Italian, Spanish, Arabic & Fanti). Basically, most of what we want to achieve has already been done before by other humans; therefore, You, a human can do it as well. If its not alien to them, then it can't be alien to You. Isn't that great advice...She is full of wisdom.Words have power and the quote above has tremendous power.

Another quote, which recurred throughout her talk was: "Be willing to be someone's rainbow in their clouds." Basically, inspire others to do well, to do better, because, "A good student, can make a mediocre teacher great!" 

Sure enough when I came out of that auditorium, I felt renewed, motivated and in some ways in control of my destiny. I can't really explain it. The night was great, because this woman is Phenomenal!

 P.S. Dr. Angelou is so funny. She had us laughing from beginning to end.