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Becoming


An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the ...
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What is the value of being flung out of one's world? What is the best advice for young people who find themselves in new or uncomfortable terrain?

Created: 01/01/19

Replies: 6

Posted Jan. 01, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

What is the value of being flung out of one's world? What is the best advice for young people who find themselves in new or uncomfortable terrain?

Michelle Obama writes about being "flung out of my world." It is something she experienced time and time again, transferring to Whitney Young, moving to Princeton as one of the few African American students on campus, joining the juggernaut of a presidential campaign, and moving into the White House. She writes: "You don't really know how attached you are until you move away, until you've experienced what it means to be dislodged, a cork floating on the ocean of another place."

What is the value of being flung out of one's world?

What do we learn about how Michelle Obama handled transitions as she got older, wiser, and more experienced?

What is the best advice for young people who find themselves in new or uncomfortable terrain?


Posted Jan. 11, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
paulak

Join Date: 04/21/11

Posts: 264

RE: What is the value of being flung out of one's world? What is the best advice for young people who find themselves in new or uncomfortable terrain?

I think it's hugely important for all of us to move out of our comfort zones, regardless of age. In fact, some times it gets more difficult as we age and get even more comfortable in our situations. True growth seems to happen when our feelings are more acute and the situation is not what where we typically find ourselves.

I think Michelle Obama's education at Princeton set the stage for her becoming more comfortable with discomfort. If you look at her family, their lives remained much the same until Barack Obama was elected President, which seemed to push everyone into a different reality. So her models were not necessarily individuals who embraced change and her big move to Princeton allowed her to experience first-hand how fulfilling change can be.


Posted Jan. 13, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
LWReads

Join Date: 08/09/18

Posts: 41

RE: What is the value of being flung out of one's world? What is the best advice for young people who find themselves in new or uncomfortable terrain?

I think it’s so important to experience worlds other than the one we grew up in. Going away to college, moving, traveling, or whatever else introduces a person to people different from them helps turn the unknown “other” into real people that aren’t so different after all.

When Michelle Obama was traveling to small towns in Iowa and other rural areas, she talks about finding commonalities and making connections with people in very different situations than hers. I believe it was these sort of connections, recognizing common humanity, that helped Barack Obama get elected, too.


Posted Jan. 14, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
peggyt

Join Date: 08/10/17

Posts: 215

RE: What is the value of being flung out of one's world? What is the best advice for young people who find themselves in new or uncomfortable terrain?

Being taken out of your comfort zone is an opportunity for personal growth. I would advise to be open to new experiences but not to forget your background and maintain your values.


Posted Jan. 20, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
pate

Join Date: 03/15/13

Posts: 36

RE: What is the value of being flung out of one's world? What is the best advice for young people who find themselves in new or uncomfortable terrain?

While I was flung out of the world as I knew it....away to college, into the working world, moving to a new home away from my family and friends, retirement....it has only been in the last few years that I have embraced coming out of my comfort zone to try new things. I wish my younger self had been much more eager to do so. I think it would have enriched my life in so many ways. I would
love for young people to embrace all that life has to offer, and that while stepping out of your comfort zone can be scary or difficult, the rewards are many!


Posted Jan. 31, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
ruthiea

Join Date: 02/03/14

Posts: 271

RE: What is the value of being flung out of one's world? What is the best advice for young people who find themselves in new or uncomfortable terrain?

I had two experiences that really changed me - one was unexpectedly back-packing thru Europe by myself (last minute cancellation by my travel buddy) and the other was moving by myself for a job. Having to learn to make my way thru several countries, with language/culture barriers and being a single female traveller was scary, but it made me a stronger, self-reliant, more outgoing person. Moving to a new city alone also forced me to rely on myself, but it also made me hungry to explore new places and be more adventurous.


Posted Feb. 02, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
karenrn

Join Date: 08/29/13

Posts: 102

RE: What is the value of being flung out of one's world? What is the best advice for young people who find themselves in new or uncomfortable terrain?

I think everyone should be flung out of their own world. There is great value in being with people of different backgrounds, cultures, races, education levels etc. I think it helps us grow as people. I think it lessens prejudice and discrimination. I think young people should challenge themselves to step out of their comfort zones. All people should step out into new and different worlds.


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