I never had everything I wanted, but I never wanted for anything.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes contentment with what one has rather than longing for more.
Lena Waithe's quote reflects the idea that true happiness comes not from possessing everything one desires, but rather from appreciating the things that one does have. It suggests that a grateful perspective can lead to a fulfilling life, where the absence of material desires does not equate to a lack of fulfillment.
In practice
A motivational speech on finding joy in everyday life.
As a black woman in the industry, you really do have to hold your head higher, stick your chest out, be kind and polite and generous even when you don't want to be sometimes. I learned that and, also, just to never take no for an answer.
Being a black lesbian myself, I roll my eyes a little bit when I see black lesbian characters on shows where it's purely there for decoration. You can just hear it in the writers room... 'What if we make her a lesbian?'
It's weird because I see black gay characters on television all the time, but do I relate to them? Not always, because they're set pieces.
The cool thing about dope black style becoming in style is that the industry has no choice but to try and reduplicate that.
For me, it's about making art that's not good but phenomenal. James Baldwin didn't want to just stay above the fray. Prince didn't think, 'I wonder what the industry is gonna think about 'Purple Rain.'' It's just, is this honest? Is this real? Does this move me? The rest is icing.
Being born gay, black, and female is not a revolutionary act. Being proud to be a gay black female is.
To find joy in work is to discover the fountain of youth.
Joy is not gush. Joy is not mere jolliness. Joy is perfect acquiescence ~ acceptance, rest ~ in Godβs will, whatever comes.
I've realized that being happy is a choice. You never want to rub anybody the wrong way or not be fun to be around, but you have to be happy. When I get logical and I don't trust my instincts - Thats when I get in trouble.
That man lives happy and in command of himself, who from day to day can say I have lived. Whether clouds obscure, or the sun illumines the following day, that which is past is beyond recall.
Sometimes I have loved the peacefulness of an ordinary Sunday. It is like standing in a newly planted garden after a warm rain. You can feel the silent and invisible life.
For me, beauty comes from natural happiness. I think that a woman glows, and a man, even, when they're healthy and they're happy.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.