The Gift She Left Behind
Cicely Tyson’s Just As I Am
When asked she was going to write her book, Cecily Tyson would often respond that she’d write her book “when she had something to say.” Thankfully, she decided she had something to say and we have some words from her on paper.
Simply put, Just As I Am, written with the talented Michelle Burford, is a masterpiece!
Cecily Tyson’s life unfolded beautifully in this book. The world knows Ms. Tyson as a staunch, immensely talented, award-winning actor who graced the screen (both big and small) for decades. In Just As I Am, though, we get to know about the girl with the parents from the Caribbean island of Nevis who moved to New York City to start a new life. In some ways, it’s part classic immigration story and part divine fascination.
Just As I Am laid out gems. To read this story is to sit at the beautiful feet of an elder, soaking up every life lesson––without judgment or shame. The words came alive, jumping off the page as she openly shared remarkably brilliant, rich lessons for anyone willing to listen.
A few lessons that really stood out are below:
Life is full of choices.
Through adept storytelling, Tyson takes her readers on a journey through her early years in showbusiness. In chapter ten, she vividly demonstrates her tenacity. She had mad chutzpah! In order to hone her craft, the newly-minted actress underwent immense intensive study by way of acting intensives and training programs––including Actors Studio.
One day, during the course of her studies, she was cornered by a man (in an office) who was clearly expecting her to comply with his desires. He got more than he bargained for when she yelled, pried herself free, and ran out of the room. This barbaric act definitely attempted to mar her but she realized something––she had choices.
“Life is choices, and as I saw it, I had two. I could’ve fled from that man’s office and never returned. . .and yet the alternative option, the less obvious of the two, was the one I settled upon. I arrived at that studio with the singular purpose of training with Lloyd. And though Paul, in a show of flagrant lasciviousness, had attempted to thwart my mission, I was not to be deterred.”
-Cecily Tyson, Just As I Am
The lesson here is that though things are not always easy, or even obvious, perseverance will serve you well. Sometimes we have to bypass what’s in front of us to get to what’s for us.
Go with your gut (listening to your inner voice).
Tyson’s mother did not believe in her own child’s abilities.
In chapter nine, she says that “. . .even those who care deeply for us cannot always see the big picture. . .though their paths may run parallel to ours, each is in its curves, and mileposts, unique in its destination. As much as others want the best for us, they do not necessarily understand God’s best. He alone does.”
The award-winning actor listened to her gut and believed in its power to serve her well. She held her vision vividly in her mind’s eye, and kept working towards it until it showed up. She had the uncanny revelation that the permission or the insight of others isn’t required for what she saw to be realized. What you see for yourself is most important. Believe in yourself enough to see it through and eventually others will see your dream bear its fruit in its own time.
It wasn’t until her mother actually saw her on stage for the first time that she fully understood her daughter had something special.
Be true to what you know your gut and heart are telling you. Starting out, Cecily Tyson wasn’t sure of where this road would take her, she just knew she had to follow the path.
Aging gracefully is possible.
While many human experiences can be similar and very relatable, few humans can say they’ve lived 96 or more years on the planet. That in and of itself is a major feat.
As I explained earlier, reading this book is like sitting at the feet of an elder. She speaks as if we are in her living room and ran up on a lesson we didn’t even know we needed.
In the last chapter of the book, she leaves us with her golden nuggets on living and keys to her longevity. For instance, she states that she never leaves home without her cayenne pepper because it’s good for killing bacteria. Her mindset and approach to medicine along with her infinite wisdom are worth highlighting, sharing, and remembering.
I definitely recommend this book. When you read it, take your time and relish it. It will serve you well to learn from this gift that she left behind. While she will be missed, her vibrant legacy will live on through her words and the stories she told––both on and off stage.
Rest well, Queen Cicely, rest well!
