"You are the sum total of everything you've ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot - it's all there. Everything influences each of us, and because of that I try to make sure that my experiences are positive."
Explanation
Maya Angelou is basically saying that who you are right now is a living scrapbook of your entire life. Every movie you’ve watched, every conversation you’ve had, every meal at your family table, every mistake, every compliment, even the things you don’t remember clearly anymore, they’re all still shaping you in some way.
Think about how a song from years ago can suddenly bring back a whole feeling, or how one kind teacher changed the way you see yourself. That’s the power of experience. Angelou’s reminder is gentle but practical: since everything leaves a mark, try to choose as many good, honest, nourishing moments as you can. You can’t control everything that happens to you, but you can lean toward people, places, and habits that help you become the version of yourself you actually like.