Marissa Michael

“Look into my mind,
and you will see my individuality.
Look into my heart,
and you will see my personality.
Look into my soul,
and you will see my destiny.

Look into my past,
and you will see my misery.
Look into my present,
and you will see my agony.
Look into my future,
and you will see my victory.

Look into my world,
and you will see my poverty.
Look into my sky,
and you will see my adversity.
Look into my universe,
and you will see my prosperity.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“It’s not what you take, it’s what you give.
It’s not what you know, it’s what you apply.
It’s not who you lack, it’s what you acquire.
It’s not what you have, it’s what has you.

It’s not what you earn, it’s what you save.
It’s not what you buy, it’s what you enjoy.
It’s not what you seek, it’s what you find.
It’s not what you encounter, it’s what you experience.

It’s not what you think, it’s what you believe.
It’s not what you see, it’s what you comprehend.
It’s not what you feel, it’s what you value.
It’s not what you do, it’s what you accomplish.

It’s not what you want, it’s what you pursue.
It’s not what you chase, it’s what you attract.
It’s not what you avoid, it’s what you follow.
It’s not what you intend, it’s what you execute.

It’s not what you mask, it’s what you reveal.
It’s not what you desire, it’s what you need.
It’s not what you receive, it’s what you embrace.
It’s not what you demand, it’s what you deserve.

It’s not what you lose, it’s what you gather.
It’s not what you cherish, it’s what you honor.
It’s not what you fear, it’s you master.
It’s not what you conquer, it’s what you win over.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“Poverty doesn't scare me, ignorance does.
Work doesn't scare me, laziness does.
Pleasure doesn't scare me, pain does.
Charity doesn't scare me, weakness does.
Chastisement doesn't scare me, flattery does.

Friendship doesn't scare me, betrayal does.
Enmity doesn't scare me, anger does.
Marriage doesn't scare me, divorce does.
Love doesn't scare me, heartache does.
Sex doesn't scare me, parenting does.

Ambition doesn't scare me, envy does.
Adversity doesn't scare me, boredom does.
Risk doesn't scare me, cowardice does.
Competition doesn't scare me, mediocrity does.
Defeat doesn't scare me, weakness does.

Misfortune doesn't scare me, bitterness does.
Maturing doesn't scare me, infirmity does.
Life doesn't scare me, regret does.
Aging doesn't scare me, death does.
Existence doesn't scare me, oblivion does.

War doesn't scare me, bloodshed does.
Government doesn't scare me, corruption does.
Politics doesn't scare me, manipulation does.
Revolution doesn't scare me, tyranny does.
Rebellion doesn't scare me, slavery does.

Ideology doesn't scare me, fanaticism does.
Religion doesn't scare me, immorality does.
Faith doesn't scare me, hopelessness does.
Morality doesn't scare me, evil does.
God doesn't scare me, extremism does.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“You have only mastered peace when you have conquered bitterness,
mastered patience when you have conquered anger,
mastered joy when you have conquered sorrow,
mastered strength when you have conquered pain,
mastered contentment when you have conquered greed,
mastered truth when you have conquered ignorance,
mastered faith when you have conquered doubt,
mastered courage when you have conquered fear,
mastered kindness when you have conquered intolerance,
mastered humility when you have conquered ego,
mastered joy when you have conquered grief,
mastered hope when you have conquered despair,
mastered mercy when you have conquered wrath,
mastered love when you have conquered hate,
mastered life when you have conquered death,
and mastered light when you have conquered darkness.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo