Maya Angelou

“I have learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did but people will never forget how you make them feel.” 

Simply put but profound words penned by Maya Angelou.

Maya Angelou, an American poet, singer, memoirist, publisher of seven autobiographies and a host of other writing feats, receiver of  dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees, lived long, well, experienced and clearly equipped to spout nuggets of wisdom.

So true.  Lives have been lived with passion, time made for people and friends.  The reason?  Love, care and an honest desire to perpetuate good times and good living with good people and good friends.  “Good” being the operative word because all words and deeds are meant and transmitted out of the “goodness of hearts”.

Yet somehow people move on, times and circumstances change, people outgrow each other, Yes, change IS the constant growth. Why? It’s a season. A period of living, loving and hopefully harmonious memories.

Those in it for the long haul, a lifetime, loyal friends, spouses, children, those that maintain relationships that have warmed young hearts way into old age.

Reasons, seasons and if lucky, lifetimes.    So yes, Maya has the right of it, “people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did but people will never forget how you make them feel”.

All those inbetweeners, those in the passage way of life, therein lies the battles.  Not everyone will agree, appreciate, or understand your life’s journey. Those that use, abuse to feather their own nests, those that bring us to our knees and teach us lessons, absorb it, wave them on, they are clearly not meant to stay. Sadly, some of them are family.  Family IS always important but keep it non toxic.

Love the ones “who treat you right, and pray for those who do not”.  This stage that is life, use it wisely to surround yourself with the people who make you laugh, focus on the good and keep on keeping on, while trying to remember to administer some kindness.  It is true what they say, “be good, be kind, for those that you meet may be battling their own demons.

Life is too short not to be enjoyed with the worthy ones. The trick though is determining those worthy ones unfortunately come with hindsight.  Still, we pass this way but once, let us make it count.