January 2024
For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end.
-Michelle Obama, Becoming.
Over the holiday season, I got a chance to read a few books. I don’t if it was for inspiration or just a need to escape from reality, the grind and demands of work and all my familial responsibilities. Rather than finding myself immersed in fiction, my usually reads, I had committed to a couple of memoirs, historical nonfiction story, and a study on bittersweet emotions. I rarely, especially during breaks, read these genres. Nonfiction just does not have the same appeal since its claim to historicity or academic rigor is just another way of saying boring or a dull recount of facts/concepts that I find to be irrelevant to my life. I believe in the truths of fiction, the ability of narrative to elucidate on humanity’s journey to understand life in all its various facets. It delves into the human mind and emotions that nonfiction just does not or cannot explore.
Yet I started reading Michelle Obama’s memoir, Becoming, which like most memoirs of political figures listed the behind the scene stories of major events. It was intriguing to see the backstory of a figure who I have come to respect. But Michelle Obama is no Toni Morrison in its ability to hold my interest. Yet I did enjoy her story. The story of her becoming into her own in a challenging world under the public gaze. One needs to take a quick glimpse at the chapter headings to get a perspective on life:
Becoming Me
Becoming Us
Becoming More
Epilogue
We need to look introspectively to see who we are before we are able to expand our definition of us in this world. I happen to share her perspective and also her openness to what will happen next in her life. I don’t know if Michelle has any plans, but I know that I personally do not have any, for the first time in a long time.
What does this stage in my life mean for Platform? As I look at this new year, I am looking less to achieve an end and looking more to continuously evolving. What does that mean?! By now, I normally would outline a plan, an extensive to-do list for the new year. But after years of having my plans foil and having to re-visualize backup plans, I plan not-to-plan. I want to be present for plans to evolve within my team. I will not lead but allow them to lead. I want to become a supporter for the leadership from within our team.
Will I last for a few days or months as I wait for the team to take charge? We shall see because I am in new territory, one in which I intend to share my life by just being. Like Michelle Obama,“I hope to help create space for other stories and other voices, to widen the pathway for who belongs and why,” but without any concrete plans.
It will be an interesting new year because I have no idea what will unfold. But I trust that our team will find a way to impact our community.
Sam Joo
CEO and Founder
January 2, 2024