The Light We Carry

Published in 2022 in U.S., The Light We Carry is a personal account and key takeaways of Mrs. Michelle Obama on life lessons. Three parts divided into ten chapters, the 300-pages are full ofextremely rich anecdotes and advice on managing fear, if not overcoming fear, great works are the sum total plus+ of small interventions, humility, self-consciousness in the era of 24X7 scrutiny, marriage-a collaboration and shifting perspective to see a glass as half-full. The mantra to manage challenges in uncertain times is the Bhagwat Gita’s ‘Karma’, articulated as ‘Going high’ by the writer.

Written lucidly and stitched with stories, experiences and reflections from Mrs. Obama’s childhood days, campus years and the white-house and post-white house days makes the book extremely engrossing. It has lessons for all including young parents who are anxious about raising kids, a manager who wants to become a leader/coach, a citizen who is in dilemma to participate or withdraw and an officer wants to be effective and efficient. Of several profound takeaways, a few include ‘our hurt becomes fear, and fear becomes limit’ and ‘leave behind better than what we got’.