Quotes to Inspire Magical Black Girls When Life Gets Real

Jesse Williams said it best at the end of his BET Awards speech: “Just because we’re magic, doesn’t mean we’re not real.” At a time when terms like “black girls are magic” and “magical black girls” roll off the tongue with ease and fill up your timeline, it’s easy to forget that yes, while we just might be that amazing and extraordinary, we’re still real women, dealing with real struggles, in real life. For times when we’re feeling less than magical, it’s comforting to have some words of wisdom from the original magical black girls to lean on, uplift, and inspire us.

FOR WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH

“You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.” ~ Shirley Chisholm

I know better than I’d like to admit how hard it is to resist the urge of throwing in the towel when things just don’t seem to be working out. But the truth is, we won’t overcome the obstacles with tears, we overcome them with action.

“It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” ~ Lena Horne

The main takeaway from this quote is that perspective is everything. We all have our burdens to carry but when you change the way you look at your trial or test, you can change your life.

“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, and how you can still come out of it.” ~ Maya Angelou

There are some things in life that can only be learned by going through it. And those are the things that will help you grow.

FOR WHEN YOU NEED SOME MOTIVATION

“Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you believe” ~ Oprah Winfrey

Let Oprah be your shining example of what it means to dream big.

“Life is very short and what we have to do must be done in the now.” ~ Audre Lorde

Too often we wait for the “perfect” time to do something. For things to line up, to get our ducks in a row. The reality is, we’re here for a very short time so that means whatever we plan to do, it’s time to get to it!

“If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, you must be the one to write it.” ~ Toni Morrison

Some of the most successful magical black girls have simply created what it is they were looking for in the world but couldn’t find. If you have the vision, it’s up to you to create it.

FOR WHEN YOU’RE FEELING UNSURE

“I did what my conscience told me to do, and you can’t fail if you do that.” ~ Anita Hill

Whether you call it your conscience or just a feeling in your gut, a woman’s intuition is a powerful thing. Listen to it and it will never steer you wrong.

“Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” ~ Oprah Winfrey

Truthfully, you never really know what’s ahead, no matter how prepared you think you are. Don’t let the uncertainty of the future steal your joy in the present.

“When I dare to be powerful – to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” ~ Audre Lorde

My favorite quote of all time. Sometimes ladies, we just gotta do it afraid.