Quote Of The Day By Meghan Markle: 'I've Never Wanted To Be A Lady Who Lunches, I Wanted To Be...'

Meghan Markle was famous and successful long before her marriage to Prince Harry. But like any of those royal women — from Meghan to Kate Middleton to Princess Diana — there's nothing like marrying a prince to launch a gal into global stardom. After tying the knot in an elaborate, widely-watched wedding ceremony on May 19, 2018, at St. George's Chapel in Windsor, Meghan and Harry parted ways with the royals, surprising everyone by leaving the firm and starting out a new life in California. Through this time, Meghan underwent a full, jaw-dropping transformation from her early days in TV. But it wasn't just her style that changed; Meghan risked rocking the boat to do what she needed to for herself and her family. To add to this, Meghan wore several spicy outfits that she could never have worn as a royal, making the transition that much more exciting. 

Meghan and Harry went on to welcome two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, and continued to thrive in her happy marriage with her prince. In fact, there are even several times where Meghan and Harry perfectly coordinated their outfits. While it might seem like a vapid point, this coordination actually signifies a deep connectivity between the two. Meghan has pushed past online negativity, launched two seasons of a Netflix show, and continues to develop her brand, As Ever. She is a force, and that's why Meghan Markle is today's quote of the day. 

Meghan Markle famously once said, "I've never wanted to be a lady who lunches—I've always wanted to be a woman who works." She added, "And this type of work is what feeds my soul, and fuels my purpose." Meghan said this in a guest letter written to Elle U.K. in November 2016 (via Irish Independent). She wrote the comment when she was traveling to Rwanda while serving as an advocate for U.N. Women.

The context of this comment is even more important. Meghan wrote it almost two years before her wedding to Prince Harry, so she was not yet a royal woman or the wife of one of the most famous men in the world. Instead, she was a lesser-known star volunteering in the Gihembe refugee camp. It was a jarring contrast to her life of celebrity, comfort, and fame, and this juxtaposition is what inspired her to write this laudable statement.   

Meghan Markle's remarkable quote speaks to the importance of using one's power and ability to help others. When she said that she never wanted to be "a lady who lunches," she was describing affluent, non-working women who spend their time socializing with friends. Meghan said that instead, she wanted to use her influence as a celebrity, and the income that came with it, to make the world a better place. 

It's important to note a few things. One, there is nothing wrong with cultivating deep and meaningful friendships. That's not what Meghan's comment is criticizing. Instead, Meghan is critiquing a lifestyle in which a woman remains idle, opting exclusively for pastimes of leisure. Meghan has supported community kitchens, founded the Archewell Foundation with Prince Harry, and they continue to support the Invictus Games. 

Secondly, one doesn't need to be a wealthy celebrity to embody this sentiment. Flying to a refugee camp might be a dream for many, but the reality is that this form of service may very well be prohibitively expensive. A person can be of service to others and make the world better for those around them in more simple, but equally impactful, ways. Focusing on one's own community, close to home, is a meaningful and rich way to live a life that's free of self-focus. Volunteering with the elderly or in a local soup kitchen are just a few of the many ways one can work for the better. 

• "Take things with a grain of salt, and find balance within your life. On your lunch break, leave to go and get some fresh air. You don't need to make your life your job. I have to find that balance for myself, as well...I think you have to make time for yourself so that work doesn't become the end-all be-all." 
• "When girls are given the right tools to succeed, they can create incredible futures, not only for themselves but also for those around them."
• "Everyone should be afforded the opportunity to receive the education they want, but more importantly, the education they have the right to receive. And for women and girls in developing countries, this is vital."
• "We just need to be kinder to ourselves. If we treated ourselves the way we do our best friend, can you imagine how much better off we would be?"
• "Every girl has potential. She has promise. She has the right to learn, the right to be heard, the right to play, and to discover. The right to be exactly who she is."