?? “The Light We Carry” by Michelle Obama

I’d like to start by saying I think Michelle Obama has a strong voice and valuable stories to tell, and even though I haven’t read her first book (Becoming), when I found this title on a bookstore shelf, I was immediately drawn to it.

The Light We Carry is intended to be a practical guide to help us learn to cope with adversity. The general aim of the book is to give readers a glimpse inside her personal toolkit, the strategies she uses to be more comfortable, and less paralyzed inside of uncertainty.

The core message of the book rests in the idea that we all have a spark, and we can’t be afraid to let it shine:

“I believe that each of us carries a bit of inner brightness, something entirely unique and individual. A flame that's worth protecting. When we are able to recognize our own light, we become empowered to use it. When we learn to foster what's unique in the people around us, we become better able to build compassionate communities and make meaningful change.”

Chapter two is about decoding fear, and she starts by telling a story about her own childhood. When she was four, she was cast in a Christmas play, and even though she was really excited about it, on the day of the rehearsal, she saw a creepy turtle on the stage, and it paralyzed her. The story has a happy ending because she decides to go on stage and play, despite the terrifying turtles.

I think it’s fair to say we all face creepy turtles one way or another, but we can’t let our fears drive our decisions, we can’t let fear get in the way of our dreams and aspirations.

The book contains interesting anecdotes from Michelle’s life, her own struggles and problems, and helpful advice for anyone dealing with issues of uncertainty, fear, not fitting in, visibility, and more.

These are some of my key takeaways:

? It’s ok to pace ourselves, get a little rest, and speak of our struggles out loud.

? It’s ok to make a habit of rest, and repair, and prioritize our wellness.

? We can always find ways to convert fear into rocket fuel.

? The unknown is where possibility glitters.

? Friends are important, cultivate true friendships.

? Our opponents are reminders of why we must persist.

? When you know your light, you are then better prepared to share it with another person.

? Locking away our vulnerabilities and keeping them private does not make us any safer.

? Drawing closer to other people’s uniqueness and finding connections in our small overlaps is how we build togetherness. Empathy fills the gaps between us.

? Never compromise too much, nor deny your authentic self in order to be accepted, in order to fit in.

As part of her book ?? tour, Michelle gave an interview to Oprah Winfrey and talked about some of the stories from the book, and her motivations to share those stories. I think it’s a great conversation, you can watch on Netflix:

I think this book is worth reading, these stories sound natural, they sound real, and we can learn lots from them.