"So in the end you can't even really regret your misfortunes," explains beloved author Alice Walker, author of books such as The Color Purple, The Temple of My Familiar, and Possessing the Secret of Joy, "because they led you somewhere." 

Ms. Walker speaks from experience. From growing up poor in the segregated south and losing part of her vision in a childhood accident, to receiving threats from the Ku Klux Klan for her interracial marriage and work with the NAACP in 1960s Mississippi, Walker has experienced her share of hardships.

But over the years she has channeled these experiences into groundbreaking fiction about the lives of blacks in America, becoming one of the most celebrated writers of her time. Through her continued dedication to writing and politics she remains a powerful example of what it means to lead a purposeful life. Walker has worked to address problems of injustice, inequality, and poverty as an activist, teacher, and public intellectual. She is truly an American treasure!

I’m excited to share this inspirational video featuring the legendary author speaking about work, hardship, faith, and writing. I hope you’ll find it refreshing to see a pillar of American letters offering words of wisdom that any writer—any artist, really—can learn from. Give yourself the gift of two minutes to recharge your batteries, get focused, and take Ms. Walker’s words to heart!

More about Alice Walker: This week, Walker made headlines for releasing three of her most famous novels—The Color Purple, The Temple of My Familiar, and Possessing the Secret of Joy—as ebooks. (In her typically witty fashion, she suggested a simple reason for releasing her books digitally: carrying books around gets heavy!) Love that :)