Be yourself. Rather cliché, but a powerful thing indeed. And a thing which can be surprisingly challenging for many of us. In our lifelong journey of self-discovery and growth, we often struggle to fully embrace and honour all that we are…to let yourself be you. And to be proud and confident in that self.
Be yourself.
Yes, that’s it. Be you.
Not your polished colleague. Not your remarkably athletic friend. Not your smiling neighbour. Not that exceptional leader or that brilliant scientist or that gorgeous model.
Learn from them-yes. Be challenged by them-yes. Be inspired through them- yes.
But through this all– be yourself.
It is perhaps one of the greatest gifts we can give to the world, and to ourselves.
Be all that you are….be you. Because you are phenomenal.
Yes, phenomenal. This particular adjective is not my word, but the word of the uplifting and impactful Maya Angelou in a poem she wrote that I recite in my heart often.
Phenomenal Woman
BY 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 in 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 for my care.
’Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Of course this phenomenal nature of a woman applies to all humans–of all ages and creeds and professions and ways of loving and being in this world.
So again, be you.
Be your phenomenal self.
Because that is just who you are.
by FDR Sage
Notre Maailma 