Day 1: WEEKEND GLORY

By Maya Angelou Some clichty folks don't know the facts, posin' and preenin' and puttin' on acts, stretchin' their backs. They move into condos up over the ranks, pawn their souls to the local banks. Buying big cars they can't afford, ridin' around town actin' bored. If they want to learn how to live life right they ought to study me on Saturday night. My job at the plant ain't the biggest bet, but I pay my bills and stay out of debt. I get my hair done for my own self's sake, so I don't have to pick and I don't have to rake. Take the church money out and head cross town to my friend girl's house where we plan our round. We meet our men and go to a joint where the music is blue and to the point. Folks write about me. They just can't see how I work all week at the factory. Then get spruced up and laugh and dance And turn away from worry with sassy glance. They accuse me of livin' from day to day, but who are they kiddin'? So are they. My life ain't heaven but it sure ain't hell. I'm not on top but I call it swell if I'm able to work and get paid right and have the luck to be Black on a Saturday night. *** Meditation Directions: Choose 1-2 of the lines that resonate with you most. Think about them and apply them to your life today.  For example: 1. They just can't see how I work all week at the factory... Then get spruced up and laugh and dance.. And turn away from worry with sassy glance. ---> THIS! This is where I want my spirit to be! I want to always laugh in the face of my adversity.  Angelou brings down the house with the last stanza.  2. My life ain't heaven but it sure ain't hell. I'm not on top but I call it swell if I'm able to work and get paid right and have the luck to be Black on a Saturday night. ---> This speaks to my soul! It's all about being content with what you already have! Being truly happy with who you are!  The tone of this poem was brilliantly crafted with Angelou's word choice. She adds some sass with words like but it sure ain't hell. She also conveys an explicit sense of pride when she said have the luck to be Black on a Saturday night!  She puts me in such a celebratory mood. I feel proud to be a hard working woman, who knows how to maintain a healthy balance of good, clean fun (and occasional ratchetedness 😉).  Blissfully,  V (Here I am, being Black in DC on a Saturday night 😉)