"I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick ass."

This quote is all about empowerment and seizing opportunities with both hands. It encourages you—especially if you're a young woman—to be bold and take charge of your destiny. The world isn’t going to hand you things on a silver platter; you’ve got to dive in, get your hands dirty, and make things happen.

This advice comes from Maya Angelou, a renowned poet and civil rights activist. She lived during a time when women, particularly women of color, had to fight tooth and nail for every bit of progress. Her words resonate because she knew firsthand the challenges and adversities faced by many. Despite that, or maybe because of it, she pushed for people to be proactive and fierce in pursuing their goals.

Think about Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani activist for female education. She didn’t wait for the world to change; she took matters into her own hands. Despite the risks, she spoke out against the Taliban's ban on girls' education. And yes, she faced incredible hardships—including an assassination attempt. But she survived and continued to advocate for education, eventually becoming the youngest Nobel Prize laureate. Malala embodies the spirit of grabbing the world by the lapels and kicking ass, proving that even in the face of extreme adversity, you can make a difference.

So, how can you apply this wisdom? Start by identifying what you're passionate about or what change you want to see in the world. Maybe it’s something small like starting a community garden or something big like advocating for policy changes. Whatever it is, take the first step. Don’t wait for the perfect moment—it doesn’t exist. Sometimes you just have to jump in and figure things out as you go. Build a network of supportive people around you; they can offer advice, resources, or just a shoulder to lean on. And when life gets tough—and it will—remember that setbacks are just setups for comebacks.

Imagine you're at a coffee shop with a friend, talking about your dreams of starting a small business. You’re excited but also a bit scared. What if it fails? What if you can't handle the financial pressure? Your friend looks you in the eye and says, “Remember that quote by Maya Angelou? Life's tough, but you’ve got to kick ass. If you don’t try, you’ll never know what you’re capable of.”

It’s like learning to ride a bike. At first, you’re wobbly, and you might fall a few times. It’s scary. But you keep at it, and eventually, you’re cruising down the street without a care in the world. The same goes for any daunting task. It's okay to be scared; it's okay to fail. What's not okay is letting that fear keep you from trying.

So next time you're hesitant about going after what you want, think of Angelou's words. Think of Malala. Think of that first time you rode a bike. Grab life by the lapels, stare it down, and say, “Bring it on.” You’ve got this.