Jada Pinkett Smith speaks of past 'addictions,' new era of 'wisdom' on Facebook

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Jada Pinkett Smith just turned 42 a few days ago, and has made a series of reflective statements on her Facebook page in the wake of her September 18 birthday.

By writing of her past “addictions,” her posts have garnered considerable attention online.

“Yesterday I turned one year older, and I reflected on where I have been and where I am now,” Smith wrote the day after her birthday. “What I learned about myself is this, when I was younger I was not a good problem solver, meaning I had a very difficult time with dealing with my problems in life. I had many addictions, of several kinds, to deal with my life issues, but today, at 42, I have my wisdom, my heart and my conscience as the only tools to overcome life’s inevitable obstacles. I have become a good problem solver with those tools, and I am damn proud. Thank you for all the love that was given to me for my birthday this year.”

Jada speaks intimately with fans

Smith’s fan page has 3.8 million likes. In posts that seem heartfelt, she wrote a few additional messages to her followers that spoke to the wisdom she has gained in intimate language — almost like a big sister offering advice.

“Someone asked me the other day why do people stay with people who treat them bad?” the movie star and activist stated on September 24.

“To me, the answer is simple…,” she continued. “They stay because they don’t believe they deserve to be treated better, and the moment one truly believes they deserve better… they do what it takes to change their circumstances which may even mean…leaving because being treated badly becomes… intolerable.

“You deserve the best and never forget it:),” the mother of two offered.

Her son, actor Jaden Smith, brother to actress and singer Willow, recently made headlines for tweeting that school is the “tool to brainwash the youth.”

Positive responses resound online

“Go on, girl!” commented the ABC News blog Social Climber about Smith’s inspirational musings.

“Preach!” shared E! online about these comments plus additional commentary the stunner has made to Redbook magazine about being in a very positive place in life — despite persistent rumors that Smith and her husband, superstar actor Will Smith, might be breaking up.

“I have been affected by gossip and I know people who have been too. I’ve seen marriages destroyed by gossip. It is cruel,” she told the magazine. “At the end of the day, all that matters is: Do you love what you see when you look in the mirror? That is it, baby.”

Well said!

These statements are just one facet of Smith’s caring expressiveness and social involvement in public forums. She is also an outspoken leader in the fight against sex trafficking and co-produced the groundbreaking documentary Free Angela and All Political Prisoners.

Follow Alexis Garrett Stodghill on Twitter at @lexisb.