Recently, I've begun to read "Michelle Obama: A Life" by Peter Slevin*. It's a very good documentation of an underprivileged, African American woman rising up and becoming the First Lady of the United States. This book has made me look introspectively at my own life and experiences. It's made me think about how I can use what I've been given to better serve others.
Here are some of the biggest lessons Michelle Obama has taught me.
1. Be kind to others.
2. Live each day with the mentality of your last.
3. One failure does not amount to a lifetime.
4. Giving always feels better than taking.
5. You are your biggest cheerleader.
6. You're also your biggest competition.
7. Believing in yourself is the first step to success.
8. Sometimes life will throw curveballs.
9. But the best you can do is prepare to swing.
10. If you miss, you swing again.
11. If you hit, you run HARD.
12. Nothing in life comes easy.
13. And typically the best things in life come the hardest.
14. Learn to trust others.
15. Learn to trust yourself.
16. Nothing is more important than being healthy.
17. Except your family.
18. Education, education, education.
19. You'll never know what lies ahead.
20. So dream big.
21. Anything is possible.
22. A little help goes a long way.
23. So give it.
24. And ask for it.
25. Never be ashamed of success.
26. But stay humble.
27. Dress to impress.
28. Love what you do.
29. Never settle.
30. Stay strong in the face of adversity.
*Peter Slevin is a professor in the Medill School of Journalism... go cats!
