"You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.
Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.
Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.
Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?
Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise."
Maya Angelou
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.
Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.
Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.
Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?
Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise."
Maya Angelou
STAND DOWN ENEMY!! STILL I RISE! This is one of my favorite poems ever, because like Maya, my past does not define me. In fact, it is the catapult and fire in me! My pain has become my purpose. I own the facts of my past. They are not things that can weigh me down or count me out! The scars that I have are things that I went through and overcame. I am reminded as I stroke my physical and mental scars of the mercy and grace of God!
Just a few minutes ago, I received an email forwarded from my soul sister, by Sharon Jaynes, and her words spoke directly to me and this blog entry. Here is an excerpt from that email:
"We receive scars in one of two ways: what has been done to us by other people or what has been done through us by our own mistakes and failures. Either way, I believe that scars are not something that we need to hide or be ashamed of, but rather an invitation to share the healing power of Jesus Christ with a hurting world. For a scar, by its very definition, implies healing.
Jesus had scars—one on each hand, on each foot, and on His side. Those scars were precious to Him. That’s one way His disciples recognized Him when He returned."
And it could be that people will recognize Jesus when you aren’t ashamed of your scars—when you tell your story of emotional, physical, spiritual, and relational healing.
I am so full right now. The synchronicity is so BOLD in my life right now. I know that is spirit talking to me!! My scars are so beautiful!! They are me!! Who I am!! I love it! Thank you God for your presence in my life everyday!
TURN ON THE LIGHTS Everyone!!! The light is so warm and comforting!!
Love,
Latisha
Just a few minutes ago, I received an email forwarded from my soul sister, by Sharon Jaynes, and her words spoke directly to me and this blog entry. Here is an excerpt from that email:
"We receive scars in one of two ways: what has been done to us by other people or what has been done through us by our own mistakes and failures. Either way, I believe that scars are not something that we need to hide or be ashamed of, but rather an invitation to share the healing power of Jesus Christ with a hurting world. For a scar, by its very definition, implies healing.
Jesus had scars—one on each hand, on each foot, and on His side. Those scars were precious to Him. That’s one way His disciples recognized Him when He returned."
And it could be that people will recognize Jesus when you aren’t ashamed of your scars—when you tell your story of emotional, physical, spiritual, and relational healing.
I am so full right now. The synchronicity is so BOLD in my life right now. I know that is spirit talking to me!! My scars are so beautiful!! They are me!! Who I am!! I love it! Thank you God for your presence in my life everyday!
TURN ON THE LIGHTS Everyone!!! The light is so warm and comforting!!
Love,
Latisha
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