6 Life-Changing Mantras From Halle Berry We Should All Live By

“This is who I am; take me or leave me.”

After competing for years in the pageant industry, Halle made it a point to bring her most authentic self to the entertainment industry. Win or lose, Halle has always valued the importance of keeping it 1,000 and recommends that you do the same. You won't be everyone's cup of tea, but everyone doesn't have to drink it. In a 2009 interview with Harper's Bazaar, the actress said:

"I've always been honest, even when I haven't had good times in my life or my movie bombed or I've had great success. I've owned up to all of it. I've said, 'Hey, this is who I am; take me or leave me.'"

In a different interview, the icon kept that same energy, saying:

"I have to live for me. I have to do what I need to do for me, and I have stopped concerning myself with what people say."

“We have to own our worth and know our worth."

These boots are made for walking, and Halle says you better Mary J. Blige-step your way out of any situation that doesn't serve you.

"I think when you believe you're worth it, that's when you'll fight for it…When you know that the work you're providing is worth more than they're willing to pay you, then you'll ask for it. That's when you'll be willing to walk away from it if they say no. But you have to be willing to walk away…We have to own our worth and know our worth."

“Refuse to settle.”

Over the years, Halle has been part of a number of very public breakups that at one time left her heart in shambles. Ultimately, she decided that it was up to her to set the standard for the level of love she deserves:

"I'm not done with love, but I refuse to settle. I am a hopeless romantic. And I won't stop till I get it right."

“Beauty is not just physical."

As someone who has been heralded as one of the world's most beautiful people time and time again, the Oscar-winner doesn't sweat looking like a snack at 53. However, she knows that she is a whole garden, one that must be properly watered and fed in order to truly exude beauty.

"Beauty is not just physical. It's about what you stand for, how you live your life."

"As beautiful as Halle is on the outside, she's 10 times more beautiful on the inside

"Find the lesson within the experience."

No matter how much your friends and family support you, you can't elevate to your highest potential without weathering through some storms. Despite her global successes, Halle is no different.

"I meditate and pray all the time. The faith and respect that I have in the power of God in my life is what I've used to keep myself grounded, and it has allowed me to move away from the storms that were in my life."

"I no longer scramble blindly through hardship. I no longer emerge from a bad time feeling relieved just to have survived. Instead of despairing, I try to find the lesson within the experience."

"A small shift can guide you."

If at first you don't succeed, dust yourself off and try again with new intentions. According to Halle, the true key to success is being willing to modify your goals and align your purpose accordingly.

"If you set out to do something and you give it your all and it doesn't work out, be willing to modify your goal slightly. Have the ability to look in another direction. A small shift could guide you to the real purposes of your life."