"Don't let anyone ever steal your light!"

Groundbreaking Grammy, Emmy and Tony Award-winning singer, songwriter, activist, wife and mom Cyndi Lauper is on the final leg of her farewell tour and looking ahead to her next adventure: being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. But life wasn't always rosy for the star. Here, Cyndi shares how staying true to herself and having a little fun carried her through

- BY DEBORAH EVANS PRICE

Cyndi Lauper is 72 years young, and she's as busy as ever entertaining audiences across the country and writing the score for Working Girl, a Broadway adaptation of the hit 1988 film. But in November, the lauded performer will enjoy a career milestone: being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. "I'm really happy," says Cyndi, who joins the likes of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Big Mama Thornton and Brenda Lee in the honor. "I'm proud to stand on the shoulders of the women who came before me," she tells Woman's World. "When I was younger, I was angry at the world. I was the oddball. Then I learned it was my job to make the world fairer. Sometimes, that's just smiling at someone: It's a tiny thing with a big impact. You must enjoy life as best as you can because hey, when you're not here anymore, you're not here!" Read on for Cyndi's keys to joyful purpose.

Don't miss Cyndi's farewell tour!