Book 8 of my 2023 Reading Challenge
read from January 13 - 19
The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times
by Michelle Obama
Summary (via Goodreads)
There may be no tidy solutions or pithy answers to life's big challenges, but Michelle Obama believes that we can all locate and lean on a set of tools to help us better navigate change and remain steady within flux. In The Light We Carry, she opens a frank and honest dialogue with readers, considering the questions many of us wrestle with: How do we build enduring and honest relationships? How can we discover strength and community inside our differences? What tools do we use to address feelings of self-doubt or helplessness? What do we do when it all starts to feel like too much?
Michelle Obama offers readers a series of fresh stories and insightful reflections on change, challenge, and power, including her belief that when we light up for others, we can illuminate the richness and potential of the world around us, discovering deeper truths and new pathways for progress. Drawing from her experiences as a mother, daughter, spouse, friend, and First Lady, she shares the habits and principles she has developed to successfully adapt to change and overcome various obstacles--the earned wisdom that helps her continue to "become." She details her most valuable practices, like "starting kind," "going high," and assembling a "kitchen table" of trusted friends and mentors. With trademark humor, candor, and compassion, she also explores issues connected to race, gender, and visibility, encouraging readers to work through fear, find strength in community, and live with boldness.
Michelle Obama offers readers a series of fresh stories and insightful reflections on change, challenge, and power, including her belief that when we light up for others, we can illuminate the richness and potential of the world around us, discovering deeper truths and new pathways for progress. Drawing from her experiences as a mother, daughter, spouse, friend, and First Lady, she shares the habits and principles she has developed to successfully adapt to change and overcome various obstacles--the earned wisdom that helps her continue to "become." She details her most valuable practices, like "starting kind," "going high," and assembling a "kitchen table" of trusted friends and mentors. With trademark humor, candor, and compassion, she also explores issues connected to race, gender, and visibility, encouraging readers to work through fear, find strength in community, and live with boldness.
My Opinion
4 stars
I'm reminded how safe I felt when the Obamas were in the White House. They didn't pretend to have all the answers but I trusted their statements and judgement. I also appreciate the foundation they have in their family and themselves.
It's empowering to read a book by a woman who is so grounded in herself. She has a powerful husband and supports him but is also powerful in her own right. Yet she's also vulnerable...reading the litany of criticisms she sometimes feels about herself when she looks in the mirror was surprising.
My mom has MS so I really resonated with the beginning of the book when she talked about the family's vigilance in observing obstacles. We also make adaptations that are so second nature at this point we forget others don't have to think about the things we do when making plans.
I also took a moment to reflect on Ketanji Brown Jackson's point about activism. There's a hidden cost to having to fight for your rights that I hadn't considered; it takes mental and physical time away from other activities (in her example, studying or extracurriculars in college because of protesting a Confederate flag), yet another way the gap between the majority and minority remains wide.
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