It's been about a year since I've picked up and begun reading Michelle Obama's autobiography--Personal Memoirs, Becoming. It was a gift last year for Christmas in which I started reading feverishly. It's such a lovely read as she depicts some of her most vulnerable moments in time, all in all displaying the courage to speak on what has allowed her to become Michelle Obama she is today.
One of the reasons I love reading this book and have enjoyed picking it back up again to finish is because I can see myself in her. And for me, it goes beyond relating to our dark melanin complexion. There is so much substance to reading about a woman who has truley had her fair share of battles faced, whether won or lost. I connect so much to many of her struggling moments and times in which she contemplated her decisions. I can relate to the nuaonce that she can be and is both a working educated business-driven woman who also LOVES her family and truly desires to bring them up with her. A balance that must be constantly managed.
It's as if she is telling my story, only from the perspective of a few years down the line :)
One of my favorite aspects of her story is her relationship with Barack. At one point in the book, we follow closely behind his story through the eyes of Michelle. It is there that I can recognize the love and admiration they share for one another. How through big decisions about the state of the country to the state of their children, the pair remained a team. Making significant sacrifices and climbing mountains not only in their own individual battles but more importantly together. For me, there can be no greater partner in this life than one who one can walk through fires with. One that is willing to be cognisant enough of their own surroundings and yet, is aware of their partners as well. One that isn't fearful of their own task, yet isnt afriad to ask for help either. One that can be vulnerable with you and choose not to hold your insecurities agaisnt you.
And I don't read out of her book that they are perfect. That Barack is perfect. Matterafact, their relationship is one of only 45 relationships in our country that have endured in being commander and chief and the commander and chiefs wife of our great nation. Only a few have lived their type of relationship. Nonetheless, I get this sense of the genuineness of their relationship. That it is real. That it is obtainable.
Because I believe it is. No matter if we're running for president, trying to run a business, or attempting to raise up a family, I'm choosing to set my standards high when it comes to my partner. I don't mind saying high because for me it's not about how much money they have, what family they come from, or the number of degrees they possess. Yes, that stuff plays a part. But I desire an intellectual connection. A partner that can not only keep up but challenge me. Someone with personal and global goals. A partner who isn't looking to fix everything yet is vulnerable enough to brainstorm ways we could fix things together. A listener, a friend, a teammate.
A man like Barack isn't far-fetched. There are guys out there doing this very thing and more for their spouses and partners. I know it. I see it. And I believe in order to meet and be ready for my Barack, I have to continue on becoming the me version of a woman like Michelle.
One of the reasons I love reading this book and have enjoyed picking it back up again to finish is because I can see myself in her. And for me, it goes beyond relating to our dark melanin complexion. There is so much substance to reading about a woman who has truley had her fair share of battles faced, whether won or lost. I connect so much to many of her struggling moments and times in which she contemplated her decisions. I can relate to the nuaonce that she can be and is both a working educated business-driven woman who also LOVES her family and truly desires to bring them up with her. A balance that must be constantly managed.
It's as if she is telling my story, only from the perspective of a few years down the line :)
One of my favorite aspects of her story is her relationship with Barack. At one point in the book, we follow closely behind his story through the eyes of Michelle. It is there that I can recognize the love and admiration they share for one another. How through big decisions about the state of the country to the state of their children, the pair remained a team. Making significant sacrifices and climbing mountains not only in their own individual battles but more importantly together. For me, there can be no greater partner in this life than one who one can walk through fires with. One that is willing to be cognisant enough of their own surroundings and yet, is aware of their partners as well. One that isn't fearful of their own task, yet isnt afriad to ask for help either. One that can be vulnerable with you and choose not to hold your insecurities agaisnt you.
And I don't read out of her book that they are perfect. That Barack is perfect. Matterafact, their relationship is one of only 45 relationships in our country that have endured in being commander and chief and the commander and chiefs wife of our great nation. Only a few have lived their type of relationship. Nonetheless, I get this sense of the genuineness of their relationship. That it is real. That it is obtainable.
Because I believe it is. No matter if we're running for president, trying to run a business, or attempting to raise up a family, I'm choosing to set my standards high when it comes to my partner. I don't mind saying high because for me it's not about how much money they have, what family they come from, or the number of degrees they possess. Yes, that stuff plays a part. But I desire an intellectual connection. A partner that can not only keep up but challenge me. Someone with personal and global goals. A partner who isn't looking to fix everything yet is vulnerable enough to brainstorm ways we could fix things together. A listener, a friend, a teammate.
A man like Barack isn't far-fetched. There are guys out there doing this very thing and more for their spouses and partners. I know it. I see it. And I believe in order to meet and be ready for my Barack, I have to continue on becoming the me version of a woman like Michelle.
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