Amy Sander Montanez

M.Ed., D.Min., LMFT, LPC, Life Coach

A Poem For Your Consideration

— Amy Sander Montanez

Dear Readers, In lieu of a MessyMarvelous skill today, we offer you this poem.  Written in 2016 by Maya Angelou for Oprah Winfrey, it speaks to all of us about the legacy of our life's work and the difference we can make in the world when we continue doing what God has given us to do.  I have been blessed by this poem many times, and I pray this week it will bless you. There is so much we need to continue to do to heal ourselves, our communities, the nation, and the world.

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Into a world which needed you My wish for you Is that you continue

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To be who and how you are To astonish a mean world With your acts of kindness

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To allow humor to lighten the burden of your tender heart

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In a society dark with cruelty To let the people hear the grandeur Of God in the peals of your laughter

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To let your eloquence Elevate the people to heights They had only imagined

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To remind the people that Each is as good as the other And that no one is beneath Nor above you

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To remember your own young years And look with favor upon the lost And the least and the lonely

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To put the mantel of your protection Around the bodies of The young and defenseless

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To take the hand of the despised And diseased and walk proudly with them In the high street Some might see you and Be encouraged to do likewise

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To plant a public kiss of concern On the cheek of the sick And the aged and infirm And count that as a Natural action to be expected

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To let gratitude be the pillow Upon which you kneel to Say your nightly prayer And let faith be the bridge You build to overcome evil And welcome good

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To ignore no vision Which comes to enlarge your range And increase your spirit

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To dare to love deeply And risk everything For the good thing

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To float Happily in the sea of infinite substance Which set aside riches for you Before you had a name

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And by doing so You and your work Will be able to continue

Maya Angelou, 2016

  We will see you again next week, Friends.  Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @MessyandMarvelous.  Some good stuff is on there almost every day! Thanks to Charlie Foss for bringing this poem to my attention a month ago.  Charlie, you knew this would speak to me, and now I am sharing it with many others.  Amy and Rhea