LESSONS FROM MICHELLE OBAMA’S ‘BECOMING’

Some three weeks ago, I finally started reading ‘Becoming’. I had had the book for several months now, but the hype of the book made me a little skeptical. I was really hoping I would not get disappointed, and certainly I wasn’t disappointed one bit. No doubt, the status of Michelle has helped to push the book into the market, but the book speaks for itself too.

So after 24 long and engaging chapters, plus a preface and epilogue. I will just share five things the book re-emphasized that I would never forget in a hurry. There are definitely over a dozen more lessons, but you should do yourself the honor of reading it too... It’s refreshing!

1. FAMILY IS EVERYTHING

The family theme was one that ran all through the book. Michelle unapologetically portrayed her preference for family over all else; mirroring the love she and her elder brother Craig enjoyed from her middle class family on Euclid Avenue at the South side of Chicago, to her intentionality in ensuring that her girls didn’t suffer neglect as a result of the busy life herself and Barack found themselves in. Even when they hired a baby sitter, she made sure she was always home before bedtime to talk the girls to sleep. Children don’t really care how rich or poor their parents are, all that matters eventually is how much time and love you give to them.

2. NOT EVERYTHING IN LIFE CAN BE REASONED OUT

Which of us has not been taken by surprise as life spring new roles and responsibilities at us without warnings? Having finished from Princeton and Harvard and landing a fantastic legal career, Michelle hadn’t ever thought of politics or prepared for fame until Barack came along. Then all too sudden and in quick successions she has to deal with all life was throwing at her, with little or not enough time to always reason it all out. 

3. OVERCOMING FEARS

As life became more demanding, Michelle had to hire a chef to cook meals and eventually hire nanny for her girls. As a young black lady from a middle class family, she understood the implication of these actions and what people would say, but what had to be done had to be done. Many practically live their lives on the premise of what others will think or say, as such they fail to do even the very expedient things. 

4. IT’S HARDER TO HATE SOMEONE UP-CLOSE

Sometimes there is that one person that we just don’t like and for no good reason too. Or we ourselves are hated by people who even barely know us. I can’t imagine I almost believed the many videos I saw on YouTube about Michelle being a transgender who used to be a male and changed to become a female. The things hate drives people to do are appalling, and Michelle had tons of stranger as haters. Sometimes, the best way to treat hate is getting to know someone a little better, because indeed, like Michelle said “it’s harder to hate someone up-close”.

5. PROGRESS AND CHANGE HAPPEN SLOWLY.

Of all the lessons from this memoir, Michelle‘s thoughts about her visit to Madiba in South Africa was the one I consider the most profound. Very little transpired during the visit as Mandela was too old and feeble to engage herself and her entourage, but she noticed Mandela was a graceful old man. Mandela had been jailed for about 20 years, missed crucial parts of his growing up and family life, yet he wasn’t consumed with bitterness and animosity for all the years he spent in jail; he was still a graceful and happy old man. Mandela had given his whole life to South Africa and the country is still in the process of change. Many times we get discouraged and bitter when we don’t see our efforts yielding desired results, but like Michelle rightly noted from Mandela’s life; “progress and change happen slowly; not in two years or four years or even a lifetime”.

Have you read the book, leave your own lessons from the book or your thoughts in the comment section, I’ll like to hear from you.

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