Be a Rainbow in Somebody Else’s Cloud

“I believe the most important single thing, 
beyond discipline and creativity, 
is daring to dare”

Maya Angelou

I interviewed Maya Angelou three times. What an inspiration! Her courageous, heartfelt writing, speaking, acting and campaigning lit up the whole world. One of my treasured possessions is a signed copy of her memoir I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings. I quote her in almost all my talks and workshops. 

Maya’s aim in her great life was to be a rainbow in somebody else’s cloud. Below is a clip from a Maya Angelou Masterclass recorded for the Super Soul Sunday Oprah Show. It’s less than 2 minutes long. Take a time-out. Press play. You’ll be glad you did. 

Maya’s great teaching was her example. Maya dared to express herself – and in so many ways as an activist, singer, director, producer, poet, and memoirist. As I write my first book of poetry Finding Love Everywhere, I call upon Maya for courage and daring. Maya once said that the decision to write is as enticing as jumping into a frozen lake! Writing is a dare. Being creative is a dare. “I believe the most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity, is daring to dare,” said Maya. 

Maya spoke the truth. A universal truth. In an interview for Time magazine, she said, “I’ve still not written as well as I want to. I want to write so that the reader in Des Moines, Iowa, in Kowloon, China, in Cape Town, South Africa, can say, ‘You know, that’s the truth. I wasn’t there, and I wasn’t a six-foot black girl, but that’s the truth’.” 

Thank you, Maya, for being a rainbow in my life. I hope I can be a rainbow too for somebody else. I imagine that will be thanks enough for you. 

I wish you a beautiful day. 

Robert

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