Monday, May 3, 2010

A Life worth Living

Read a quick article on CNN.com about how women are always living their lives full of regret. Constant comparisons to other women. Worries over achievements yet accomplished. Well, unfortunately, this is so true of many us-present company included.
There is always planning for the "next steps" and keeping up with The Book Club. These things come to a point where they consume my life. And while I"m "consumed", life continues.... Everyone else is living theirs, unbeknowning that I am choosing them as a measuring stick to MY life and success. Crazy....foolish...somewhat insane of sorts.
Well...that stops today. In reading the article, I had a moment of gratitude. I have a GREAT life and it is indeed one worth living....and living it MY WAY. No more regrets, nor more comparing (you can only live it the way you want to), and if I want to accomplish more, well I have to get on it....There is no room for worries...
In fact, it conjures up one of my favorite poems...because it is truly ME. I just need to keep in mind, I have a life worth living and I need to get about the business of living it!


PHENOMENAL WOMANby 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 of 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 of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.


from And Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
copyright © 1978 by Maya Angelou.

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