Maya Angelou On Independence & Success
Ass Kicking, Photography, The Pea | Posted by Jannie on 3 July 2011 @ 11:55 AM 29 Comments
Child, everybody knows you popped out about as independent as a kid gets
but there’ll be times on your journey you’ll need a peptalk, as we all do.
And who better to pep you up than Maya Angelou, whom I fell in love with
forever about as deeply as I fell in love with and will stay in love with you.
Dr. Angelou advises…
“The most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity is daring to dare.”
“To those who are given much, much is expected.”
“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”
“Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.”
“If you are not good to yourself, how can you expect anyone else to be good to you?” *
“You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.”
“Live as though life was created for you.”
“Whenever you decide something with an open heart, you usually make the right decision.” **
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”
“When you get, give. When you learn, teach.”
Dr. Angelou also advises the following, but please don’t read until you’re 12, due to mild language.
In fact, don’t read any of this blog until you’re 12, okay. Thanks!!
“I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass. ”
Those old enough to read this blog, I hope Dr. Angelou’s wisdom enriches your journey today.
I know she has mine!!
With love from Jannie-Mom.
xoxoxo
(2 iPhone pix from about a year ago)
* and ** were actually written in first person, but I changed them to “you,” because I’m quite the rebel, as you know.
On 3 July 2011 at 1:01 pm
Daisy said,
Very wise words and good advice. Thank you! Cute pictures of Kelly today too.
I hope you are having a good weekend, Jannie! Hugs to you.
On 3 July 2011 at 1:57 pm
Glenn Buttkus said,
The Fourth of July in Texas, what
a rush! Good shots from the iphone.
Terrific quotes for Maya, going to
use some of them on Facebook, thanks.
/nothing can dim the light which shines
from within/ if the definition of Miss
Jannie Funster over on Wikipedia.
On 3 July 2011 at 4:37 pm
Michael said,
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”
that’s the nature of source.
Michael from 3Djulio – Simple Animation Software”
On 3 July 2011 at 11:06 pm
cinderkeys said,
“Nothing can dim the light which shines from within” is the tagline for another blog I read, http://dreamsatstake.blogspot.com/. I hope it’s true.
On 4 July 2011 at 6:50 am
Hilary said,
Hi Jannie .. wonderful reading .. and thanks so much for putting it up for us to read .. I love your thoughts re “the pea” .. she’ll be independent alright – “the pod” is the same?!
Hope you’re having a lovely weekend in hot hot Austin land .. and happy 4th July .. cheers and lots of cooling hugs xoxoxo Hilreee
On 4 July 2011 at 10:34 am
Aimee said,
“You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.” — I’m going to bask in that tid bit of wisdom today. Happy 4th of July to you Jannie. Did you have a good Canada Day? haha
On 4 July 2011 at 1:28 pm
Jannie said,
Hi Dear Daisy! Yes, a few days ago was Googling something, pages of Dr. Angelou’s quotes came up here… http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/3503.Maya_Angelou?page=1and I read them all, a true delight and good person. I had known of her only peripherially before, but feel like she and I have been BFFs forever.
Hi Dear Glenn! Well, I could say the same back to you about your light shining from within and such. Yep, the iPhone in good bright lighting can do a great job indeed. Yeah, there are SO many of her wonderful quotes to choose from, these especially resonate with me these days as I think about my journey as a musician. Heck! I guess I maybe AM a musician, eh?
Getting there, I guess. 
Well, Hi Awesome Cinder!! The Enlightened Ones do say we are light in our every cell from the core outwards. And yes, forever, I do believe. A light of eternal hope and goodness. As they say, we are in this world but not of it. Thanks for the link!!
Dearest Hilary, well, if she could’ve been born walking she’d've up and raced to the store for her own pack of candy!
Funny huh, how some kids won’t come out from under Mama’s skirts until age 5, and then not easily, but Kelly would be the toddler trying to explore any and every place imagineable — and not afraid to climb to get to her destination, oy1 
Yep, the 4th! I’ve ust eaten a bit of fried steak with The Pea, Jim is at work for a few hours and later we will head down to the Lake park, probably until well after dark. But no fireworks allowed or sold this year — too dry! Hmn, now I’m thinking a smidge of that coffee ice cream Jim brought home might be nice. 
(After I post this comment, tho.)
Hey, Aimee! Yep, a great Canada day. BB had made moose muffins with extra Labatt’s this batch — tasty!
We ARE enough at all times, I’m getting better at believing that in these my “approaching wise” years. But yes, we always have and are everythihg we need. That being said, why I do I feel such a great longing for “cute” sandals this summer?? But I’ll stick to my limit of $12.99, plus tax when the correct shoes soon present themselves.
xoxooxoxox
xoxoxoxox
On 4 July 2011 at 4:50 pm
Mama Zen said,
Best advice ever!
On 4 July 2011 at 8:05 pm
Denise@TogetherWeSave said,
Great pictures of your little one!!
On 5 July 2011 at 12:12 pm
Lynn said,
Maya Angelou is a wonderfully wise woman, as are you, Jannie Muffin. Hope all y’all had a great 4th! I’m back in town and playing blog catch-up.
On 6 July 2011 at 1:37 am
Jannie said,
Ahhh, 3 of my alltime favorite bloggers popped in! Thanks, y’all.
I’ll be playing blog catch-up soon too, I hope.
You are all AWESOME!!!
xoxoxoxo
On 6 July 2011 at 8:29 am
sheila said,
LOVE these!!!!!!!!!!! Especially: “Live as though life was created for you” LOVE IT!
Now go to my place and enter to win a free canvas print! OOoooooooooooooo!
On 6 July 2011 at 2:00 pm
Jeanne said,
Dear Queen AK (um… I mean Jannie),
BTW, AK is short for ass kicker… in case you were wondering. Great post. You can’t go wrong with quotes from Dr. Maya Angelou and photos of Kelly. Love the photos.
Jeanne
On 7 July 2011 at 2:33 am
SnaggleTooth said,
Very wise stuff until you get to that “B” word! I’m so good to myself, I just ate some Chocolate Ice cream.
I like your paddle-boat model. She’s gotten alot more grown-up this year, n is almost old enough to read your blog! Kelly will grab those lapels before you know it!
I’d heard TX n some other states were banned from fireworks from fire danger this year. Guess you’ve had enough fires in that part of the country this year! I hope you at least had glow sticks!
I’ll be very happy if I can get new flip-flops before these disintegrate!
Happy week-after! Happy guitar playing! That’s next for me tonight-
On 7 July 2011 at 2:35 am
SnaggleTooth said,
Oh- must tell BB I love the “King of Fishing for Donuts” in the header!
On 7 July 2011 at 8:08 am
teahouseblossom said,
You ARE a rebel!! Love the red, white and blue motif!
On 7 July 2011 at 8:10 am
teahouseblossom said,
Hey, my comment disappeared!! I was saying I love the red, white and blue motif!!
On 7 July 2011 at 8:30 am
Jannie said,
Deaerest Sheila, whooohooo a contest?? A possible chance to get something super-awesome?? A canvas print? whooohooo. ANd yes, life is meant for YOU And me! So let’s grab it and fly today!!
Dearest Jeanne, I now have added AK to my brass desk plaque in my corporate office — my Hollywood office that is. I have yet to redo my Texas office — the one in Dallas at the top of a tall tall building — the Ass Kicker Edifice. I think my favorite today is the one about doing something with an open heart. I love that. The heart will lead us in all things.
Okay, Dear Snaggle, I have to look at what is the “B” word… Oh yeah — bitch. I love Dr. Angelou’s ass kickingness on that. Kelly does tend to be a lapel grabber. Yep, no fireworks here this year, boohoooo. Hopefully next year. Or maybe Labor Day they’ll have a big to-do. I got some new flip-flops the other day, nice sparkly fancy ones. BB thanks you for the compliment.
Hey, Teahouse, sorry you disappeared, sometimes Wordpress gets cranky. But glad you did get a comment in. I think the kayaks are done in Texas colors.
whooohoo.
xoxoxoox
On 7 July 2011 at 10:48 am
J.D. Meier said,
Good stuff.
We really do have to keep putting ourselves out there … or it’s game over.
On 7 July 2011 at 3:32 pm
Sara healy said,
Jannie,
I loved the keywords for this post…”Ass Kicking” was great. Yes, who not love the wisdom of Maya Angelou:~) I appreciate you sharing these quotes AND the pictures…Kelly already looks like she’s going to take on the world. I like that in kids; it’s a good sign for a happy adult. Then again, she’s the best mom. I wish I could had you as a mom:~)Is that a weird statement?
Hope the summer is treating you well!
On 8 July 2011 at 4:42 pm
Lindal said,
Great pieces of advice for your daughter, or for anyone. I hope you had a wonderful Fourth of July. Did you ever get any rain?
On 8 July 2011 at 4:43 pm
Linda said,
Oops, I messed up. Sorry!
On 8 July 2011 at 10:38 pm
Jannie said,
Dearest Lovely handsome and wonderful J.D. And I put me out there again tonight, 4th open mike week in a row, whooohooo. Kelly photographed me. I think the 3rd song might have been good, if so I’ll put the video up here tomororw!
Dearest Lovely pretty Sara — well, can I have you for a kid!?????!!!! Never too late to adopt you. You are so sweet. May I say that I am not a bad mom at all? I may! Thanks, love to toot my own horn, er I mean guitar… Blue guitar. Ahhhh,. thanks. Summer yes — I’m actually getting a bit of a tan this year. So much time in the pool. And how is your summer going??
Dearest LINDAL — nice to meet you!!!
And there is LINDA!!!! My dear lady, I believe I shall post again soon. Perchance maybe to get out and visit some blogs. yes WE HAD RAIN!!!!!! I think 15 drops on my car windsheild yesterday. And we did have about 1/2 inch a few weeks ago. So freaking dry!! yes, great pieces of advice for anyone, I agree!! I hope you can apply at least one to your day. Had a quiet 4th, the 3rd wore me out.
whooohoooooo.
xoxooxoxoxoxox
oxoxoxoxoxoxo
On 9 July 2011 at 9:28 am
Dr. J said,
I have really liked Maya Angelou’s work! I saw a TV special about her and it showed her yard with all the sculptures and lovely created spaces. You would like to spend time there, perhaps with a glass of wine, Jannie
On 10 July 2011 at 1:03 pm
Chris Edgar said,
And just look, Kelly looks like she’s about to grab one of those canoes by its proverbial lapels and go adventuring. The apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Not to imply that you read the last Maya quote to Kelly and flagrantly disregarded its PG-12 or MA-12 rating, or anything. I’m sure Kelly is only following your example.
On 10 July 2011 at 3:54 pm
Jannie said,
Ooo, Dr. J, I have never seen or heard about her yard. I must Google to check it out! Sounds awesomely awesome!
Ooo, Chris Edgar, she was reading this blog for a while, but not so much lately. Kelly I mean, not Dr. Angelou.
xoxoxo
On 13 July 2011 at 1:20 pm
K said,
Love this! A girl does need to kick a little ass from time to time.
On 15 July 2011 at 5:24 pm
Patricia said,
gems of living – from a very kick xxx woman! Thanks for sharing
On 18 July 2011 at 3:04 pm
Jannie said,
K — agreed! Or as the French say… “D’accord.” harmony.
Patricia — ahh, you’re so nice you won’t even write the word ass. Your mind and heart are temples.
xoxoxoxoxoxoo