Maya Angelou’s words to live by

A year ago, on May 28, renowned author Maya Angelou died at age 86. But her legacy continues to live on.

In April, the U.S. Postal Service released a stamp with  Angelou’s picture on it and a quote that, while she didn’t write it, was often cited by the late poet during interviews. In honor of the one year anniversary of her death, her iconic autobiography “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” is being re-released with a foreword by her friend Oprah Winfrey.

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To honor the woman who brought so many readers wisdom and joy, here are a few of Angelou’s most inspiring quotes.

• “Be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.”
• “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”
• “If you don’t like something change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”
• “I’ve learned people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
• “We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.”
• “I’ve learned you shouldn’t go through life without a catcher’s mitt on both hands.”
• “One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.”
• “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”
• “It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody.” 
• “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
• “We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.”