We Will Rise

“You may write me down in history 

With your bitter, twisted lies, 

You may trod me in the very dirt 

But still, like dust, I'll rise. 

Does my sassiness upset you? 

Why are you beset with gloom? 

’Cause I walk like I've got oil wells 

Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns, 

With the certainty of tides, 

Just like hopes springing high, 

Still I'll rise. 

Did you want to see me broken? 

Bowed head and lowered eyes? 

Shoulders falling down like teardrops, 

Weakened by my soulful cries?

Does my haughtiness offend you? 

Don't you take it awful hard 

’Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines 

Diggin’ in my own backyard. 

You may shoot me with your words, 

You may cut me with your eyes, 

You may kill me with your hatefulness, 

But still, like air, I’ll rise.”

• “I Will Rise” by Maya Angelou

This mindset should be our mantra for 2023 – our battle cry, our charge. Life will throw us challenges, people will disappoint us and the final outcome may not always turn out the way we want. But no matter what may come our way, we must commit that on this day and every day moving forward, we will rise to the challenge and let nothing and nobody stand in our way. We will rise.