Maya Angelou: The Sum of Her Life Experiences

The Beautiful Women Project received an email with excerpts of an interview of Maya Angelou on her 70th birthday. Interviewed by Oprah Winfrey, the two spoke candidly about many topics including body image and what she has learned throughout her lifetime. This interview is an excellent example of our belief that it is the sum of a woman's life experiences that makes her beautiful.

Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older, her response was simple and direct, "Exciting."

Regarding body changes, she said that there were many occurring everyday...like her breasts, "They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist...first."

Ms. Angelou went on to say:

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life goes on, and it will be better tomorrow."

"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights."

"I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a life."

"I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance."

"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back."

"I've learned that even when I have pains I don't have to be one."

"I've learned that everyday you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back."

"I've learned that I still have a lot to learn."

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people never forget how you made them feel."

The Power of Beauty

I have learned so many things from the thirty five women in Beautiful Women, but I have also learned from every person who has attended an exhibit of The Beautiful Women Project and read Beautiful Women. In every woman I see my past, present and future self. I could make a list a mile long and still not cover everything that I have learned, but I would like to share three with you this week.

Beauty is transformational, not just for the woman who feels beautiful, but the people that her beauty touches. The message of Beautiful Women is simple, but powerful: it is the sum of a woman’s life experiences that makes her beautiful.

Being beautiful is about how a woman carries her life’s experiences and allows them to shine through her for the world to see. Beauty is not boastful, it is a gift to all of those who embrace it and have the honor of being in its presence.

Accepting and believing that you are a beautiful woman is not something that happens over night, regardless of how many times someone tells you that you are beautiful. A woman has to really feel it in the core of her being. I think being proud of yourself and your accomplishments is the first step in believing that you are beautiful.

The Beautiful Women Project Supports National Eating Disorders Week

The National Eating Disorders Association has announced that National Eating Disorders Awareness Week is February 24-March 1, 2008. This week the epidemic of eating disorders takes the national spotlight. The intention is not to glorify eating disorders, but to help those suffering as well as to educate those who may have a loved one suffering from an eating disorder.

The Beautiful Women Project believes that there is so much more to an individual than their outward appearance. It is the sum of their life's experiences that make them beautiful. This is our mantra and will keep repeating it over and over for the world to hear. It is that important. The thirty five women in Beautiful Women share thier life stories and their beauty shines through them for the world to see. Please read what others are saying about the book:
http://bookloons.com/cgi-bin/Review.asp?bookid=9120

http://www.roundtablereviews.com/brunonancy012108.htm

http://www.amazon.com/review/R32P4HPNKW5ZKW/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

For every book purchased from our web site during National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, we will be donating $5.00 to the Northeastern Comprehensive Care Center for Eating Disorders. Please pass this offer onto as many people that you know - this is not a gimmick to sell books, this is what The Beautiful Women Project does: help those in our communities who need help.

By clicking Beautiful Women Book on this blog or going directly to our web site and clicking "Purchase Book" follow the instructions and upon payment please enter NEDW.

To learn more about the National Eating Disorders Association please check out their web site:

http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

Thank you for your continued support - of our project and of one another.