There are moments in life when one wonders if there is anything to look forward to. Often, individuals get trapped in a cycle of dwelling on past mistakes, obstacles, and struggles, replaying them repeatedly. However, Viola Davis' quote of the day is about moving beyond all this. Drawing from her own experience, she emphasizes that no matter the circumstances, you can move forward and redefine yourself on your own terms.
Quote of the Day by Viola Davis
"My biggest discovery was that you can literally re-create your life. You can redefine it. You don't have to live in the past. I found that not only did I have fight in me, I had love."
This is an excerpt from the acclaimed veteran actress's book, Finding Me. The book chronicles her journey from a childhood of poverty to overcoming immense odds to become one of the biggest stars in the industry.
The description for the book reads: "In my book, you will meet a little girl named Viola who ran from her past until she made a life-changing decision to stop running forever. This is my story, from a crumbling apartment in Central Falls, Rhode Island, to the stage in New York City, and beyond."
What Does the Quote Mean?
The quote from Viola Davis comes from a place of deep understanding. The actress has been open over the years about her long period of poverty before she finally found her footing. The first line, "My biggest discovery was that you can literally re-create your life," stems from her own life lessons, illustrating that no matter your origins, opportunities exist to rebuild your life from scratch.
The quote emphasizes that it is your choice to move forward instead of dwelling on the past. It is up to you as an individual to take control of your life and redefine it in any way you desire. It also means that you can reshape the narrative of your life. Instead of viewing past struggles as anchors, you can see them as lessons and use them as stepping stones to advance. This interpretation aligns with her words: "You don't have to live in the past," adding that ultimately, it all comes down to your choices and actions.
In the final line, Davis says, "I found that not only did I have fight in me, I had love." This explains that while her struggles made her strong like a warrior, they did not destroy her capacity to love and empathize with others. Often, past struggles and traumas can deeply affect us, causing us to build walls around ourselves. However, Davis asserts that this is again a choice about how you let your struggles define you. It presents the question: will you live with your struggles and let them dictate your life, or will you forge your own path, leaving those struggles in the past and simply being grateful for the lessons they taught you?
In essence, Davis delivers a rightful message of hope: change is just around the corner; all you need to do is take the first step without looking back.
Who Is Viola Davis?
Known for her commanding on-screen presence, chemistry with co-stars, and poise in front of cameras, Viola Davis is a formidable force who has worked in the entertainment industry for approximately 38 years. Her acting career began in theatre when she made her stage debut with Joe Turner's Come and Gone.
Alongside her career, she graduated from the Juilliard School in 1993. In 1996, she achieved significant success with her Broadway debut in Seven Guitars, followed by her official film debut in The Substance of Fire.
Over the years, Davis has been credited with acting in more than 140 projects, many of which became blockbuster hits. Moreover, she is a member of the prestigious EGOT club, having won the four most important awards in entertainment: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony.
Viola Davis' EGOT Status
- Oscar: She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Fences (2016).
- Emmy: She won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for How to Get Away with Murder in 2015.
- Tony: She has won two Tony Awards for her performances in King Hedley II and the stage version of Fences.
- Grammy: She won a Grammy Award for Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording for her memoir Finding Me.
Viola Davis's journey from poverty to EGOT winner is a testament to her resilience and determination. Her quote serves as an inspiration for anyone seeking to redefine their life and move beyond past struggles.
