The Power of an Individual Voice - episode 68
Here’s what I noticed in in this episode with Tanyette Colon, our next Insta-Summer guest. I felt tongue-tied. During our conversation I sat in awe, not only of all that she has accomplished, but also the beliefs she shared. Her main message: as an individual answer the call you have been given. It doesn’t have to be big, in fact most of us will have a call to share something right out of our own lives. For all the experiences we have in this life intertwine into something else later. Look for ways to step into your own voice. You never know the impact you might be having.
Tanyette is a wealth of knowledge pulling from her own experiences to speak into the lives of others. When an opportunity comes she relishes it. And if she gets a nudge she pays attention to it. We would be wise to do the same. It could take us to Norway or who knows where else. As she said, if she can do it, anybody can. Show up to be of service. It only takes 10% of us to create sustaining change.
Fiercely loyal. Wanderlust. Heart-centered.
— Tanyette
Maya Angelou
Thoughts from The Power of an Individual Voice
Tanyette mentioned Maya Angelou as a public woman who inspires her. I couldn’t agree more! She was the author of seven autobiographical books, three books of essays, several books of poetry along with collaborating on movies, TV shows and plays. As if that wasn’t enough she was a civil rights activist, and in her spare time a producer, director, actor and speaker. Whew! How did she do it.
Here some snapshots I remember of her:
Watching her on TV recite a poem she wrote for Bill Clinton’s inauguration, On the Pulse of the Morning. It was dynamic, rhythmic and powerful. I would subsequently read it to my 5th grade class every year as we studied poetry. I usually cried which my students loved - any time they saw me be “human.”
Any time she was on the Oprah show back in the day when Oprah was on TV every day M-F. Apparently, Maya Angelou was her mentor and listening to these two women converse as they would talk about life experiences, and the wisdom they brought, along with the books they were reading and recommended, was influential. When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time. Anyone else remember that nugget?
Reading I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Angelou’s book of 1969. In it she describes her early growing up years. It is raw and vulnerable. You can’t help but feel horrified by what she endured as a child. How did she even make it through you can’t help but wonder. Maya could have been bitter but she chose to be better. And it shows in a prolific way. A legacy for the ages.
Now for some of her famous quotes - my four favorites. Thankfully they are written down and we can all partake of her insight:
If you are always trying to be normal you will never know how amazing you can be.
You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.
I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.
People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Thank you, Maya. For being brave. For being real. For being you.
What stands out to me most about Maya Angelou is not what she has done or written or spoken, it's how she lived her life. She moved through the world with unshakeable calm, confidence and a fierce grace. — Oprah
