Tessa Thompson is having a remarkable moment, and her approach to life and work offers a masterclass in choosing hope over cynicism. The talented actor and producer currently has a Golden Globe nomination for her starring role in "Hedda," a bold reimagining of Henrik Ibsen's classic play that centers a mixed-race queer woman. At the same time, she's captivating audiences in Netflix's thriller series "His & Hers."

Thompson's philosophy is literally written on her skin. She has "yes" tattooed on one arm and "no" on the other, symbols of her constant dance between optimism and cynicism. As she explains, she got the "yes" first, recognizing years later that she needed the "no" for balance. This thoughtful approach to decision making has guided her toward roles that matter and stories that resonate.

Her dedication to preparation and authentic storytelling shines through in every project. For "His & Hers," where she plays a news anchor returning to her Georgia hometown, Thompson shadowed real TV journalists as they worked in their communities. She calls this research process one of the greatest pleasures of her profession, noting how meeting extraordinary people doing incredible work deepens her understanding and performance.

Thompson also shares wisdom about emotions we often view negatively, like envy. She reframes jealousy as a useful tool for self-discovery, suggesting that those uncomfortable feelings when scrolling through social media are actually whispers pointing us toward the lives we want to create. Whether it's career goals, health aspirations, or relationship desires, these emotions can guide us positively if we listen to them with intention.

Why This Inspires: Thompson's journey to authentic self-expression began early, thanks to her mother's remarkable parenting. Raised by a white and Mexican mother and an Afro-Panamanian father, Thompson benefited from her mother's deep commitment to connecting her to her Black identity. When young Tessa faced racism and bullying at a predominantly white private school where she was the only child of color on scholarship, her mother made the difficult decision to homeschool her until they could access a better environment.

One particularly moving moment in Thompson's childhood involved her desire to chemically straighten her hair. Her mother walked her through every aspect of the decision, giving her complete agency while providing loving guidance. When Thompson ultimately chose to keep her natural hair, her mother cried tears of joy. That early gift of self-acceptance equipped Thompson to stand firm later in her Hollywood career when others tried to dictate her appearance.

The actor also celebrates the connections between generations of Black women in entertainment. Working alongside icons like Whoopi Goldberg, Kerry Washington, Janet Jackson, Phylicia Rashad, and Thandiwe Newton in Tyler Perry's 2010 film "For Colored Girls" was a dream come true for Thompson, who had dressed as Janet Jackson for Halloween three times as a child. She remains deeply aware of her place in an ongoing legacy, feeling energetically connected to the Black women who came before her, those working alongside her, and those who will follow.

Thompson's story reminds us that choosing optimism is an active practice, and that building authentic connections across generations creates lasting positive change.