Maya Angelou Shares Note To Self With 'CBS This Morning'

Maya Angelou -- renowned writer, actress and civil rights activist -- kicked off "CBS This Morning's" new series "Note To Self" with a letter to her 15-year-old self. Watch the above video to hear the 83-year-old's inspiring advice to her younger self.

Comments

[Ivoire]

01:23 PM on 03/08/2012

A wonderful lady!

[Wanda Glass]

12:21 PM on 02/28/2012

Thank you Maya. You are a national treasure.

[fabuloush2s]

12:07 AM on 02/26/2012

Sad is ...what sad does. I am not judgmental nor do I try to harbour pain and anger...humanly, I have reviewed some of the posts below and find most are undefined. In short, the general aspect of her letter to herself at the age of 15, is something many should practice alone. Some people as myself and close friends have gone through some difficult times but that doesn't take away my inner self to disallow someone like Maya who is filled with wisdom and adult grace. She may not be everyone's mentor but she has touched me profoundly with the poem she wrote for then, ex president Clinton, One the Pulse of the Morning. Besides that, she still inspires me to think before I speak and do the best that I can, when articulating my thoughts and expressions. She is my mentor and that is all that counts!

[JFaye]

08:26 PM on 02/25/2012

Thank you CBS and Dr. Maya Angelou ... such wonderful and calming words in a cold world.

[bmitche]

05:56 PM on 02/25/2012

LOVE YOU MAYA !

[its1luckycat]

03:22 PM on 02/25/2012

I don't think she is any more prophetic than my own grandmother. I think she is overrated. That doesn't mean she doesn't have anything to say, it just means you can listen to your own elders in awe just as easily as listening to Maya.

[loisdiamond2]

02:58 PM on 02/25/2012

How sad and painful that the letter was not printed out for those of us who are deaf and want to know what the ltter said..we can't hear her plus AOL doesnt caption things when people speak..

[lstjames1]

01:24 PM on 02/25/2012

The article leaves out important information:
Maya was raped when she was 8 years old. Her reaction to the rape caused her not to speak for 5 years. This traumatizing event also made her feel powerless and less than others (i.e. less than other humans that seem to have control over their own bodies and destiny). She is also commenting on the effects of racism, which makes someone internalize that they are less than others.
If you know this, than you can understand why she writes the letter to herself in this manner.

[firstamendment3]

01:09 PM on 02/25/2012

I suspect that the Mayan prophesy of 12/21/12 predicts that Maya will take over the world. It certainly would not be a bad thing...

[Leon Holston Sr]

03:42 PM on 02/25/2012

no it would be disasterous.

[firstamendment3]

03:55 PM on 02/25/2012

How so?

[Leon Holston Sr]

05:57 PM on 02/25/2012

you evidentlly dont know her history.i dont want to be nasty about it but if you research her past she was a how should i say,street person.so she would not be a great candidate for president.

[Newmom95]

01:04 PM on 02/25/2012

Did she say she was MUTE from ages 8 to 13??? Did I misunderstand?

[JFaye]

08:17 PM on 02/25/2012

Yes ... She was raped and did not speak for 5 years. Her book, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" tells of this experience.

[kma1]

12:42 PM on 02/25/2012

Maya Angelou spoke at an event I attended and her words were very profound and thought provoking. I truly appreciated what she had to say. Afterwards I ran into her in the lobby and I thanked her for speaking to us.. She held my hands and looked into my eyes and we both welled up with tears.. It was a very special moment for me that I will never forget. That was at least 25 years ago and I still get choked up thinking about it today.

[JFaye]

08:18 PM on 02/25/2012

I so envy you ... When I read her books, listen to her speak, I often envision sitting in her presence to simply glean from her wisdom.

[Emma J Wisdom]

12:41 PM on 02/25/2012

There is a big wide world out there, see as much of it as you can through the five senses: through books, travel, conversation, listening, etc.

[luapmi2]

06:45 AM on 02/25/2012

WOW, was that ever pathetic.

I hope she wrote that in the toilet just before taping...it is as deep as a West Texas puddle.

[JFaye]

08:24 PM on 02/25/2012

I often wonder how bitter people become so bitter; so mean and nasty. As I live, as I grow older, I often talk to God and ask of Him ... let me become more an instrument of your peace as I live. Help me to help others through love, through wisdom, through my own hard places and victories ... to encourage them... because life ... is tough business.

How do you explain literally taking whatever length of time it required of you to make such nasty remarks? How necessary were these unkind words? How did they benefit you? If you know God ... perhaps this a good time to get in touch with him or at least your inner soul.

[luapmi2]

04:04 AM on 02/26/2012

It's the way God created me. I am an extremely judgmental person. NOT something I am proud of, but it is the reality of my life.

Your words, were gentle and calming. Thank you for being you.

[Open Yin8it]

05:48 PM on 02/24/2012

A lot of grandiose prose but still no proof sir. Again, where is your proof of this extraordinary anger you speak of? What in the world does changing her name have to do with the content or authenticity of her work? No her truth is not subject to be your truth but THE truth that ahem dare I say "certain realms of society" likes to ignore. A politician once said that we are entitled to our own opinions but not our own truth. What puzzles me is that in your first post you admittedly stated that what she says is truth. Therefore any emotion that she conveys through poetry or literature as a result of this truth shouldn't be dismissed as anger or foolish sentiment. Who are you to judge her expressive freedom as an artist?

[Actraiser]

02:22 PM on 02/24/2012

Your father is a narcissist who wont stop hurting everyone close to him. It's not your fault. Get away -- as soon as possible, as far away as possible.