Let’s face it. We live in a very complex and trying time. We’re dealing with political upheaval, hatred and bigotry of all kinds, corporate malfeasance, and environmental degradation. Inflation is out of control and a recession looms on the horizon. And we can’t forget how Covid completely upended our lives.
With all of this, we can safely assess there are no easy solutions, are there? But we can gather various tools, to help us face these challenges. And this tool kit, among other things, is what former First Lady, Michelle Obama, covers in her latest book, The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times.
In The Light We Carry, Obama covers some familiar territory to readers of her memoir, Becoming. Obama talks about growing up on the southside of Chicago by two very loving parents who had high standards for her and her brother, Craig. She talks about the challenges she faced in the educational and professional realms. Obama talks about meeting and marrying a certain fellow named Barack Obama and raising two daughters, Malia and Sasha. And of course, she talks about living in the White House during President Obama’s two terms.
Obama fully admits things weren’t always rosy. She had fertility issues. There were difficult moments in her marriage. And we can’t forget all of the horrific racism and sexism she faced as the first black First Lady of the United States (and no doubt, before that).
But Obama remained steadfast and strong. She never sunk the level of the bigots who tried to degrade her. “When they go low, we go high” wasn’t just a line from her speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. It’s clearly her mantra and a way of life.
But back to the idea of a tool kit. In times of trouble, we all need to utilize our took kit. Our tool kit is filled with various strategies we can rely on to help us navigate the choppy waters of uncertain times.
Like many of us, Obama was thrown for a loop during the pandemic. She admits she dealt with low-grade depression. One saving grace was taking up a new hobby. In Obama’s case, it was knitting. Undoubtedly, the act of knitting was very soothing (the click clack of needles can be very Zen like). Knitting made Obama feels as she had some semblance of control when everything seemed so out of whack.
Obama also has praise for another thing in her tool kit, something she calls her “kitchen table.” Her kitchen table includes close friends and mentors who offer support. She also goes into great length talking about her wonderful mother, Marian Robinson. Mrs. Robinsons’ “Don’t make a fuss over me” attitude while living in the White House is positively charming.
Obama understands we are riddled with anxiety and feel helpless. She wants us to remember we all have a light within that needs to shine. We need to offer kindness not only to others, but to ourselves as well. Using a tool kit can help us access that kindness.
Part memoir, part self-help, The Light We Carry is written with warmth and candor. It will likely inspire conversation. Some of Obama’s ideas and musings may sound like clichés. But these clichés are tried and true, and serve us well. And Obama offers plenty of resources regarding mental health and accessing affordable therapy.
Reading The Light We Carry made me think about my own tool kit that has helped me in the past few years. There is my family and friends, and my church community. There is my favorite coffeehouse, Rochambo, which a visit frequently. I have so many books to read and this blog. Last year I joined a gym. My workouts are a form of therapy. And recently I got back into crafting, making soap and jewelry.
The Light We Carry is like hanging out with a dear friend, a friend who is kind, supportive, empathetic, and says, “You are stronger than you realize.
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