My inspiration, Maya.

Monday night I had the incredible honor of seeing Maya Angelou speak. She is literally one of my biggest inspirations, as a woman, as an African American, as a poet, as a social rights activist, as a lover, as a peacemaker. I just really adore her and have been profoundly inspired by her words.

During her time with us, she read a poem that she wrote for the United Nations' 50th anniversary. It is filled with such truth that it gives me chills. Read for yourselves:

We, unaccustomed to courage exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.

If we are bold, love strikes away the chains of fear from our souls.

Love costs all we are and will ever be.
Yet it is only love which sets us free.
A Brave and Startling Truth.

It is possible and imperative that we discover
A brave and startling truth.

When we come to it
We, this people, on this wayward, floating body
Created on this earth, of this earth
Have the power to fashion for this earth
A climate where every man and every woman
Can live freely without sanctimonious piety
And without crippling fear

When we come to it
We must confess that we are the possible
We are the miraculous, the true wonders of this world
That is when, and only when
We come to it.

She did a lot of laughing.

And if you've never heard her speak, you MUST watch this video:

Doesn't it give you chills all over? Yeah, me too.