“On meurt deux fois, je le vois bien :
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Cesser d’aimer & d’être aimable,
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C’est une mort insupportable :
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Cesser de vivre, ce n’est rien.”. Source
This 18th-century French verse offers a stark perspective on life and death. The poet suggests we die twice. The first death, an unbearable one, is when we cease to love and be lovable. The second, the physical act of dying, is comparatively nothing. This raises a profound question: What does it truly mean to be alive? While the poet frames it around love, the celebrated author and activist Dr. Maya Angelou offered a complementary answer. Her wisdom teaches us that truly living means embracing each new day with presence and intention.
Dr. Angelou understood that life’s richness is found not in dwelling on the past or fearing the future, but in inhabiting the present moment. She encouraged us to see each sunrise as a personal gift. This philosophy provides a powerful antidote to the ‘unbearable death’ of a disengaged heart. It calls us to participate fully in our own lives, starting right now.
. Maya Angelou – Academy of Achievement
What Maya Angelou Taught Us About the ‘Now’
Maya Angelou’s teachings consistently circled back to the power of the present. She believed that today is the only day we truly have. Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is not promised. Therefore, what we do with this day is of utmost importance. We are, in her view, exchanging a day of our life for the actions and thoughts we choose right now. This perspective transforms each day from a simple unit of time into a precious, non-renewable resource.
This focus on the ‘now’ directly combats the anxieties that pull us away from living. Regret anchors us to the past. Worry casts our minds into an imagined, often fearful, future. However, Dr. Angelou’s wisdom invites us to drop those anchors. She reminds us that the point of power is always in the present moment. It is only here that we can make a choice, offer kindness, or experience joy. By focusing on today, we reclaim our ability to live and love fully, avoiding the slow, ‘unbearable’ death of a life lived elsewhere.
The Power of a Mindful Moment
Modern science now validates the wisdom that figures like Dr. Angelou have shared for generations. This concept is often called mindfulness. Mindfulness is the simple practice of paying attention to the present moment on purpose and without judgment. It involves noticing your breath, the sensations in your body, and the world around you. Instead of being lost in thought, you become an active observer of your own experience.
The benefits of this practice are substantial. Researchers have found that regular mindfulness can rewire the brain to better handle stress. For example, many people who practice mindfulness report feeling calmer and more focused. They find it easier to regulate their emotions. In fact, corporations and schools increasingly adopt mindfulness programs to boost well-being and performance. A significant percentage of participants in these programs report lower stress levels after just a few weeks. Source
How to Live Each Day More Fully
Embracing the present is not a passive activity. It requires conscious effort and practice. You can integrate Dr. Angelou’s lessons into your life with simple, daily habits. These small actions help build a foundation of presence and gratitude, allowing you to experience each day more deeply.
Start Your Day with Intention
Before you check your phone or rush into your tasks, take a moment for yourself. You can begin each morning by setting a simple intention. Ask yourself: How do I want to be today? What quality do I want to bring to my interactions? Perhaps your intention is to be patient, to be kind, or to listen more attentively. This small ritual frames your day, giving you a guiding principle to return to. It shifts your mindset from reactive to proactive, empowering you to shape your day rather than just letting it happen to you.
Engage All of Your Senses
A powerful way to anchor yourself in the present is to engage your senses. This is a classic mindfulness technique that you can do anywhere, anytime. Pause for a moment and notice five things you can see. Then, identify four things you can physically feel, like the texture of your clothes or the chair beneath you. Subsequently, listen for three distinct sounds. Notice two different smells in the air. Finally, identify one thing you can taste, even if it’s just the faint taste in your mouth. This simple exercise immediately pulls your awareness away from internal chatter and into your direct experience of the world.
Practice Active Gratitude
Dr. Angelou often spoke about the transformative power of gratitude. She understood that gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have. This simple change in perspective can profoundly alter our emotional state. Make it a habit to identify things you are thankful for. You could keep a gratitude journal and write down three things each evening. Alternatively, you can simply take a moment during your day to appreciate something small—the warmth of the sun, a delicious meal, or a friendly conversation. Cultivating gratitude helps you find joy in the ordinary, making each day feel richer and more meaningful.
A New Day, A New Life
The old French verse warns of a life without love and connection. Dr. Maya Angelou provides the solution: live fully in the gift of the present. Her wisdom shows us that embracing each new day is how we cultivate that love for ourselves and others. It is how we choose to truly live, rather than simply exist.
Every morning offers a clean slate. It is a chance to let go of yesterday’s mistakes and release tomorrow’s worries. By practicing presence, setting intentions, and cultivating gratitude, you honor the gift of today. You are exchanging a day of your life for it, so make it a beautiful and worthwhile trade.