Deep Talks with Maya Angelou

3.       I believe that talking about ‘bad’ things definitely gives them power. Then again, talking about anything ‘good’ gives it power as well. When we talk about things – good or bad – it kind of gains this power. By talking about it, we are letting it spread out and become stronger in a way. Take rumors for example. Each time a person talks about a rumor, they might twist it one way or another. Then another person hears it, goes on to about talk about it, and soon enough everyone has heard different versions of this rumor. Depending on which version you have heard, that could change the way you see a certain person. Which is certainly giving the ‘bad’ thing power.

5.       On one hand, I completely understand where Angelou is coming from. If something extremely traumatic happened to me, I can totally see myself just shutting down and not talking. I have actually done that, just not for as long.

How much I talk depends on my mood that day. If I’m happy and excited or anything similar, I will chat away a hundred miles an hour. On the other hand, if I’m having a bad day, my headphones will be in, and I will not say a word for hours.

          I feel that by not talking so much and listening more, you can really understand a person. Just by listening to what they have to say can give you an insight to someone that you had not seen before.

          Speaking more has its advantages as well. By speaking more, you can become a ‘take charge’ kind of guy. Speaking often can also make someone seem friendlier and more approachable, which is (almost) always a good thing.

6.       Honestly, I really want to become fluent in several different languages. Italian, French, and German are just a few of the ones I want to study. I just really want to become bilingual, for one because I think it’s totally cool, and for two because it could really help. I plan on touring the world (or at least Europe) at some point in my life, so knowing a few different languages will be helpful.

Thinking that you will only need one language your entire life is dumb in my opinion. As the world’s melting pot, we have all the languages in the world. I mean, sure it would be helpful if everyone knew English, but that’s not going to happen. But if we go over to other countries and expect them to speak our language, I think that we can extend the same courtesy, even if it is basic understanding.

  

10.     Writing is one of the hardest things out there. Finding the inspiration or muse, coming up with the general idea, and getting down the basic plot might be easy, but it stops there. You have to come up with every detail, every weather pattern, every character, and then keep them straight. Fiction, Non-Fiction, it doesn’t matter. Whenever writing, you are creating an entire world, an entire universe, and only the author can keep everything straight and as it should be.

11.     Age does not determine learning capability. Growing up, I have constantly heard that “you learn something new every day” and I agree with that a hundred percent. Just because, in forty-some years we will not be able to figure out the newest technology, does not mean that we will not be able to learn something new. It does not matter what you are focused on, whether it be everyday life or finding the cure for cancer, you will still continue to learn throughout your entire existence.