"Say YES to your life!"

Some people spend a lifetime searching for their purpose, but beloved Black-ish and Princess and the Frog actress and acclaimed author Jenifer Lewis discovered her calling to be an entertainer at an early age. And over the years, she's had to overcome poverty, being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and a near-fatal fall to keep living that dream. Here, Jenifer's secrets to turning challenges into chances to harness joy

- By Deborah Evans Price

From the moment she sang her first church solo at 5 years old, Jenifer Lewis knew she was born to entertain. "I saw my mother crying and people applauding and never looked back. I was born and ordained to make people laugh, think and cry," she tells Woman's World. Jenifer has been doing just that since, moving from Broadway to roles in films like Beaches, Sister Act and Cast Away and on television shows like Strong Medicine and Black-ish.

"I'm one of the lucky ones who got to know what I wanted early on," says Jenifer, who at age 68 is writing her third book. "Life is difficult, but it's up to you to say 'yes' to it!" Here, Jenifer shares her tips for living your best life every day.

The MLK honor that made Jenifer's heart soar

"I received a call from Dr. Bernice King, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s daughter, that The King Center wanted to honor me at their annual Beloved Community Awards," says Jenifer. She received the Yolanda D. King Higher Ground Award in January, which goes to someone who is an excellent leader, pursues social justice and helps create the community envisioned by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "I cried with joy for a week!" For more information, visit TheKingCenter.org.