Throughout my life, I have always limited myself. I have told myself "I'm not sure if I can do that," or "I can never do that."
Well, that's about to change.
For my 21st birthday, I chose to buy tickets to Michelle Obama's tour to promote her new book, "Becoming." During the show, Michelle played an audio clip of her asking the question, "What are you becoming?"
At the time I didn't know. At first, I thought, "I am becoming a lawyer." But that seemed like I was selling myself short. I can become anything I want. Why just stick with one thing? Particularly, why define me in terms of my career?
I am much more than a career. I have no boundaries in terms of what I can become.
I am becoming limitless.
Limitless means anything I want it to mean, as long as I no longer sell myself short. I will no longer say I can't do something I really strive to do just because of fear or trepidation. I will always complete whatever task is in front of me because there are no limits to what I can achieve. My life on this earth has only just started, and I plan on using every day as an avenue for improvement and growth towards my goals.
Something I absolutely love about Michelle Obama's speech during her book tour was the way she spoke about herself. Michelle Obama spoke about herself before she became an Obama.
She spoke about her family, her education, and her career. These were all important aspects of her becoming who she is today. I really loved her use of the word "Y'all." Words hold so many negative connotations associated with the user. There are people in the world who believe using words like "y'all" and other slang terms equates to lower intelligence.
Michelle Obama, a graduate of Princeton Law School and the former First Lady of the United States, uses the word y'all. Mrs. Obama has not changed herself to fit America's view of who and what she should be. She is and always will be the girl from Chicago, regardless of how successful she is. The word "y'all" will forever be implanted in her vocabulary.
This is just another example of a black woman defining herself without society's input guiding her.
During the speech, Michelle put special emphasis on when she was Michelle Robinson. She is not confining herself to her marriage, or even to her children. Society tries to restrict women to just two categories: a wife, and a mother. She is so much more than just a mother or just a wife. Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama has defined herself by defying society, all the while encouraging young women to do the same.
I am becoming limitless.
What are you becoming?
