Vanessa Williams revealed the biggest lessons she's learned in her life.
From Self-Care to Faith: Vanessa Williams' Biggest Lessons She's Learned at 61
Vanessa Williams knows all about toughness and tenacity: At 61, she’s experienced life’s up and downs, and has worn a number of hats, including that of singer, actress, mother, grandmother, model, producer, trailblazer … and the first Black woman to win the Miss America title.
Her motto to live by: “You are stronger than you know!”
Here in her own words are Williams' keys to courage, confidence, and joy … at every age!
1. Wisdom Comes With Age
"I think two of the greatest benefits of getting older are wisdom and ease. I don’t care about any of the noise anymore. It’s just about my family and how they are doing. That’s what it’s all about. That’s the wisdom: You realize that it’s all about love and family and friends," she revealed.
2. Speak Up for Yourself
"I think in my age group it was harder for women to speak their mind and not be afraid of repercussions. It’s all about courage and I’ve learned most of the time what you fear is never as awful as you imagine. Advocating for yourself and saying, ‘I don’t want to do this,’ or ‘This is uncomfortable for me’ is also important," Williams explained.
3. Let Faith Guide
"I have tremendous faith that things will work out and that we are connected to something. I raised my kids Catholic, and I have a lot of priest friends. But whether you pray or meditate, however you feel you are connected to something bigger in a positive way. I think it helps guide us to our true calling," she noted.
4. Reach for the Stars
"You can always find resources for whatever your dream is — so go for it! I’m learning new skills and I love it. I have the opportunity to create, and it feels so empowering," Williams gushed.
5. Keep Moving
"I love kickboxing — I do it three times a week. Most of the class is 50 and up and we’ve got our boxing gloves on and are kicking butt! You are getting aerobic exercise, using the strength and force of your body in new ways, which I absolutely love," she spilled.
6. Take Care of You
"When it comes to pain, I have a gadget that I plug in for ten minutes. It’s red-light therapy and it helps reduce inflammation. I’ve also been on bioidentical hormones since I was 48, and I’ve discovered that it’s important to stay curious about your health. Try different remedies, ask other women questions, and find out what really works for you," Williams revealed.
