Michelle Obama wore the role of a First Lady like a glove, but that is how it seems to someone looking at it from a glass wall. Assuming the role of the First Lady of the United States of America was a herculean job to accomplish for Michelle, but she did it with grace throughout her eight years in the White House. Reading Becoming by Michelle Obama has been a truly fulfilling journey for me. Becoming walked me through the History of America, educated me about the reality of racism, it introduced me to the reality and complexity of marital life, it taught me the importance of simplicity and sticking to one’s roots and finally it taught me the importance of self-care. Elections and the presidency is a load that the entire First family bears. Contrary to what one may believe, the entire first family plays a very significant role in the campaigning procedure during elections. Michelle Obama has been the power holding Barack Obama together all his life, giving him the affection, care, and support he has ever required to keep up in his political career. She was the ray of light that guided her husband and her two innocent kids through the eight years of Obama’s presidency. She is living proof of the age-old saying that says that there is a woman behind every successful man, caring for him, loving him, and being his beacon of power. After reading Becoming, I think I have narrowed down the reason behind the success of Michelle and Barack. I believe the reason they were so successful in their life was because they both let their beliefs and ethics steer the wheel of their life. They both had a sense of selflessness in them that allowed them to sacrifice for the Greater Good. But was that the only reason why they succeeded? No. their success also stemmed from the perfect balance of flexibility and rigidity of rules and ego that they practiced as a married couple, as parents and as the first couple of the United States. Michelle and Obama were not driven by materialistic things like money and fame in their life, instead their drive came from their belief in the vision that they saw for their constituents. If money had been the motivating factor, Michelle would have never left a high paying job as a Lawyer to work as a person who made an impact on the ground level and help boost a community. If money had been the end goal, then they would have accepted the 100,000 USD they were legally granted by the constitution for the refurbishment of the White House.
Becoming is a book that takes you through the amazing life story of Michelle Obama. It finally gives us an answer to the question “How does she do it? What is the source of the blanket of warmth and kindness that she carries around with her everywhere she goes? How does she step into the role of the First African American of the United States and use her influence and privileges for the betterment of the life of military families, help kids suffering from obesity, and bring a change to policy!” Reading Becoming has left an indelible mark on my mind and I will always treasure it as one of my favorite autobiographies of all time.