Jenifer Lewis Quotes

If my career detour from special education to singing has done one thing, it has afforded me the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.

Every single day, I wake up and take a glimpse of where I am now compared to where I was before, and the work that we have all put in to be in this space. I think of that, and being able to express myself through my art and show up and be present - that's activism, advocacy, and artistry in itself.

I try to be a truthful artist and I try to show a level of courage. I enjoy that. I'm a messenger.

I can say I have become far more open about what I believe.

You've got to be who you are. You've got to be honest with people. If your views change on something, you've got to be willing to express it.

I hope to inspire people, influence people.

I found that the more truthful and vulnerable I was, the more empowering it was for me.

People say, 'You have inspired me, you've given me courage...' They've gone so far as to say, 'You've changed my life!' And I would come back and say to my husband, 'I can't understand it - what kind of poor little life did she have if I had to come and change it?'

I never said to be like me, I say to be like you and make a difference.

When characters change on screen, it makes you feel better about yourself. You think, 'Oh I change too, I'm constantly becoming a better person.'

Everyone has a story that makes me stronger. I know that the work I do is important and I enjoy it, but it is nice to hear the feedback of what we do to inspire others.

I would like to be called an inspiration to people, not a role model - because I make mistakes like everybody else. When I'm offstage, I'm just like everybody else.

Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts, don't complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don't bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality. Wake Up and Live!

The problem is when you are writing something in retrospective, it needs a lot of courage not to change, or you will forget a certain reality, and you will just take in consideration your view today.

The world changes in direct proportion to the number of people willing to be honest about their lives.

If you want to end your isolation, you must be honest about what you want at a core level and decide to go after it.

I hope people start to look at their lives as the most powerful, creative act they will ever offer this world.

I've always found that the most powerful way to create change is to be myself and not be afraid to express who I am.

I've learned in the little bit of my life so far that you can't fool people. And so I only tell people what I think about: my ambitions, my dreams, what inspires me.

2020 for me is a really big year of realness and authenticity and just being who I am.

I know when someone is genuine, and I'm also a big believer in, if you aren't happy with something or you're not feeling passionate, God, you're not a tree, move. Go do something about it.

I don't think I push boundaries. I find that other people feel that way. To me, it's just about going up there and speaking the truth, whatever that is.

The creative process has been a little bit of an experience, really - to try and make that work for me. The only way I know how to do that is just to remain genuine, humble, and true to everything I know already in my life.

If you try to be better every day, more miracles happen in your life.

I say it's easier to write for other people than write for myself.