Becoming-Michelle Obama

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:  Becoming

Author: Michelle Obama

Author Nationality: American

Genre: Autobiography

Publisher: Crown Publishing Group

Year Published/ Release: November 2018

Pages: 400

Book Version: Audio (Audible.com)

This is probably the one book that has been mentioned or discussed in almost every household globally, in the last three months. While so much has been written about it. I will share my lessons.

1. Everybody starts from somewhere: embrace your humble background, its the reason you are. I like how she says that she is from the Southside even when she got a high paying legal job, she still chose to live in her birth home.
2. Uncle Southside: Every child has that relative who is so full of life and leaves a great impact as well as fond memories. He was so passionate about music specifically Jazz. Through that passion and energy, he made the rest of the family embrace and love music.
3. Everyone needs a strong pillar to lean on: Her father’s resilience is almost hard to come to terms with, no matter how much pain his condition brings, (Multiple Sclerosis) he remained strong, showed up to work diligently until his body could take no more and he still managed to say he was okay. strength has many faces.
4. A taste of home can never be replaced: When they traveled to Kenya, she describes having bought sneakers which quickly got stained by the dirt and dust. Even better Michelle’s experience when they traveled to Kisumu by train and some of the passengers had live chickens, yet she survived a taste of both worlds; perhaps a good test of love.
5. We don’t always love our careers but…: When it comes to careers, it easy to keep doing something you don’t like either because you are afraid to make the change or the money factor stops you from pursuing that which you love and then there is the part for not wanting to disappoint your parents. After the loss of Suzie and others she so loved, reality dawned that life was indeed short and she needed to reflect on what she really loved to do. Eventually, she moved from a high paying law firm job to a government one whose pay was about 50% of her previous salary. While it was a tough decision, it reminds us there is a reason why there exists a road that is less traveled.
6. Character is built at an early age: Parents have a major role to play in the building of character. Her mother’s sacrifice and devotion in always ensuring that Michelle and her friends had a meal when they came from school in addition to always finding her home. When she went to high school and there was a school trip to France, she kept it under wraps because she knew it would strain the family finances but her mother got wind of it from a classmates mother questioning why she did not mention it. She finally made the trip. Children see the struggles and sometimes chose to be respectful in ensuring they don’t add more strain. Just like the day daddy’s pain in the legs got so bad that he sat on the staircase to catch his breath, Michelle had a choice of going to help him but knew that would mess with his ego.
7. A painted white house: History is a beautiful subject because it allows us to appreciate how our nations came to being. Michelle gave us an opportunity to step into the white house on what we would think of as a normal day. She reminds us to appreciate being able to open windows and doors without worrying about some crazy harm intending person.
8. Everyone has a cause:  She fought for a cause that is close to everyone’s’ heart. At some point in our lives, we have all struggled with a form of weight issue. Advocating for healthier food in schools, gives children an opportunity to live healthier, understand how eating habits affect them.To the world, an opportunity to be more educated and conscious  of food and its effects in relation to personal health.
9. Together Everyone Achieves More: There is a common saying the ” behind every successful man is a woman”. While the vision for greater things was always there, true charity begins at home. Barrack while in Grade school in Indonesia had written an assignment where he shared that he wanted to become the President. I dare say that he never forgot his dream and worked strategically towards it. Michelle and Barrack clearly complement each other, don’t lose sight of your vision.
10. There is a season for everything: There was a rule of no political talk at the dinner table, this was probably one of the ways that she and he learned to make time for each other. Michelle also found amazing ways to get organized for example ensuring the girls were tucked in bed by 8pm, as a result, Barrack had to ensure that he was home in time to kiss them goodnight. it definitely makes life easier when you have a schedule it keeps you more organized.  Indeed there is a time for everything.

This is well-written Autobiography which I opted to go the audio way. There was something so personal about listening to her narrate her story. She allowed me to sit with her for hours as she so passionately narrated the story of her life. She gave many readers an opportunity into her world from the comfort of their homes. she and Barrack made their story relatable. In conclusion, the book totally humanized them.