Lupita Nyong’o’s Speech on Beauty

A wonderful and inspirational video for anyone of any race.

“You can’t eat beauty. It doesn’t feed you…you can’t rely on how you look to sustain you. What is fundamentally beautiful is compassion for yourself and for those around you.”

Stop

I was waiting in line to fill up my water bottle yesterday when the girl in front of me turned around and saw that I was waiting.  “Oh, sorry!” she said.  “Don’t worry about it,” I replied.  But, what I really wanted to say was: What are you sorry for?  You’re sorry that you were thirsty?  You’re sorry that you decided to fill up your water bottle at this drinking fountain too?  STOP.

Stop apologizing for “looking so bad today.”

Stop apologizing for eating so much or not enough.

Stop apologizing for not responding to a text message quick enough.

Stop apologizing for going to bed early.

Stop apologizing for staying in on a Friday night.

Stop apologizing for being you.

If we feel the need to constantly justify ourselves to others, how will we ever accept ourselves for who we truly are?