Maya Angelou vs. Me

We all get these e-mail forwards from time to time, but every once in a while, you get a fairly profound one that's worth sharing. The following poem has been credited to Maya Angelou -


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to...

*My take: This doesn't just apply to women.


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
something perfect to wear if the employer, or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...

*My Take: While I have two great little black dresses, I really don't have great interview outfit. Hm....


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
a youth she's content to leave behind....

*My Take: While I am at peace with the way my youth panned out, I don't think any woman should leave her childhood behind completely. I believe that part of a woman's charm is in those moments when she can catch a glimmer of girlhood.

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age....

*My Take: Every woman should also have those private moments that are for her and her alone... and maybe that one lifetime gal pal.

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...

*My Take: And every man should have socks without holes in them.

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
one friend who always makes her laugh..
and one who lets her cry...

*My Take: I got lucky. I got a couple people that allow me to do both. THANK GOD.

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...

*My Take: And it should be the bed, because there is nothing like a well worn dining room table to say, "Love knows this house".

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored...

*My Take: Too many wine glasses cause clutter...and are useless without wine and friends, so the guest list is more important than the recipie and the tableware.

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
a feeling of control over her destiny...

*My Take: Every woman should be able to make a plan, and understand that controlling the uncontrolable is a useless waste of effort.

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to fall in love without losing herself..

*My Take: AMEN! Love doesn't mean changing who you are to be who somebody wants you to be. It means being you, and being love and accepted for being you.

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship...

*My Take: I am aweful at all of these.

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
when to try harder...
and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...

*My Take: And when being stubborn is being in your own way.

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents...

*My Take: Accepting yourself for who you are allows you to accept others for who they are.

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over...

*My Take: Love lets you live a second childhood, and a third - through the eyes of children.

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...

*My Take: Too bad we all have to learn this the hard way.

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....
how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...

*My Take: Every PERSON should live alone for 1 year in their lives. It teaches you independence, and how to value assistance when offered.

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
whom she can trust, whom she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally...

*My Take: This is another one EVERY PERSON should learn.

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table..
or a charming Inn in the woods....
when her soul needs soothing...

*My Take: Whoever you are, whatever your gender, FIND THIS PLACE. No one person will ever be able to meet all of your needs. YOU are ultimately responsible for seeing your emotional needs met. Knowing when to seek others and when to seek peace is a good one.

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she can and can't accomplish in a day... a month...and a year...

*My Take: Knowing which limitations to fight, which to accept, and which to get help with is something only age can teach, but only wisdom can recognize.

*Now... Your Take?