Michelle Obama Lights the Way at Warner Theatre
By Nicole Gill Council, CouncilMag.com
Timing is everything. I had the good fortune to attend Michelle Obama’s “The Light We Carry” book tour at Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C.
When I was presented with the opportunity, I was hesitant. There was one ticket and it has been a lifetime since I attended an event like this by myself. Little did I know, it was just the experience I needed. I hadn’t read or watched much about Obama’s new book, so I went into this event with few expectations. The sold-out crowd was racially diverse with people of varying ages.
Attendees line up under the marquee at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 17, 2022, for the sold-out Michelle Obama book tour.
During the 1.5-hour conversation, Obama talked about friendship, her parents, voting, politics and fear with poet Elizabeth Alexander. Obama and Alexander have been friends for 30 years, and it showed. In some respects, I felt like I was eavesdropping on the conversation. But Obama was ever cognizant of her audience as she mentioned helicopter moms in D.C. and a man with a sparkly jacket in the front row.
Former first lady Michelle Obama speaks with her friend Elizabeth Alexander, a poet and president of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Obama spoke about her “kitchen table” friends and the “intentionality of friendships.” She said the kitchen table is where she felt safe growing up, so these friends are women she can be her true self with. She and Alexander talked about weekend trips to Camp David where they had exercise bootcamps. The workouts weren’t always appreciated, but Obama knew that she wanted to spend time with her friends and needed to do healthy activities. “We needed to teach each other how to take care of ourselves,” she said, noting that women take care of everyone else before turning attention to themselves.
Obama said you have to be intentional about making friends. If you need to schedule time to meet or talk, do that. I saw a story on AARP that referenced the same thing. The article focused on making friends as empty nesters, but the tactics – be intentional, be brave and practice – apply at any point in life. I thought about my “kitchen table.” It’s admittedly small, but no less valuable. I must do better about making the effort.
““We have to be mindful of words we put out to children. It cuts them and burns them. Show them gladness.” ”
In speaking about fear, Obama noted that fear can keep you stuck. Raise your hand if you’re struggling with fear – fear of trying something new, fear of COVID-19, fear of now.
“We are being stuck by our fear, isolated and disconnected from one another,” she said. Fear keeps you in your comfort zone because you don’t want to be afraid. I can relate. I hesitated to go to the event because of fear. That’s not how I want to be. Obama noted that every day you should practice answering why you’re going to say no to something. There’s opportunity on the other side of fear, she said. It’s so true. I almost let fear stop me from a unique experience.
As Michelle Obama speaks about her parents, a photo of with her mother, Marian Robinson, is displayed.
Let’s circle back to the title of Obama’s latest book, “The Light We Carry.” In talking about the life lessons she and her brother received from their parents, Obama relayed something her father said: “No one can make you feel bad if you feel good about yourself.” What she said next was key: You “can’t wait for others to give you your light,” as she was taught the light shines within.
That was the reminder I needed to hear. Instinctively you know that’s true. However, there are times when your light isn’t shining bright. If you’re stuck in a rut or things aren’t going the way you think they should, your light and joy dim. I can’t say your light, or my light, will always shine bright. We must remember no family member, loved one or job is going to give us our light. We must nurture it from within.
May your light continue to shine brightly.
