a woman should have ....

a woman should have ...
enough money within her
control to move out and
rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants
to or needs to...

a woman should have ...
something perfect to wear
if the employer, or date of
her dreams wants to see
her in an hour...

a woman should have ...
a youth she's content to leave behind....

a woman should have ...
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward

to retelling it in her old age...

a woman should have ...
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill,

and a black lace bra...

a woman should have ...
one friend who always makes her laugh...

and one who lets her cry...

a woman should have ...
a good piece of furniture not previously owned

by anyone else in her family...

a woman should have ...
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,

and a recipe for a meal, that will make

her guests feel honored...

a woman should have ...
a feeling of control over her destiny.

and every woman should know ...
how to fall in love without losing herself.

every woman should know ...
how to quit a job, break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without;
ruining the friendship...

every woman should know ...
when to try harder...
and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...

every woman should know ...
that she can't change the length of her calves,

the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents...

every woman should know ...
that her childhood may not have been perfect...

but its over...

every woman should know ...
what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...

every woman should know ...
how to live alone....
even if she doesn't like it...

every woman should know ...
whom she can trust,
whom she can't, and
why she shouldn't take it personally...

every woman should know ...
where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table...
or a charming inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing...

every woman should know ...
what she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month... and a year...

life is too short ...
so kiss slowly ...
laugh insanely ...
love truly ... and
forgive quickly.

~ dr. maya angelou
dr. maya angelou is a remarkable renaissance
woman who is hailed as one of the great voices
of contemporary literature. as a poet, educator,
historian, best-selling author, actress,
playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and
director, she continues to travel the world,
spreading her legendary wisdom. within the rhythm
of her poetry and elegance of her prose lies
angelou's unique power to help readers of every
orientation span the lines of race and angelou
captivates audiences through the vigor and sheer
beauty of her words and lyrics.
http://www.mayaangelou.com/