I love a good memoir, and this one is certainly in my top five. I devoured Cady Coleman's Sharing Space Do yourself a favor and read this book. Today.
I love a good memoir, and this one is certainly in my top five. I devoured Cady Coleman's Sharing Space over a weekend, and this was in between busing my sons to hockey practice, my niece’s birthday, and getting school supplies for back to school! That’s how captivating this book is! Cady’s story is more than just a memoir of an astronaut's experiences; it's a relatable guide to overcoming life's challenges painted across the darkly mysterious and intriguing canvas of space. Despite her extraordinary career, the struggles and triumphs she shares throughout the book are remarkably relatable to everyday people. Dare I even say, down to earth?
What I loved most about this book was the overarching theme of the power of purpose. As Cady herself demonstrates through her own experiences, purpose trumps adversity, complexity, and skepticism (of others and ourselves). Her unwavering dedication to her goals, her perseverance in the face of adversity, and her ability to find meaning in her work and family are inspiring examples for anyone seeking to make a difference in their lives.
Cady's experience of seeing Sally Ride speak at MIT is a perfect example of the power of representation to empower people. Witnessing a woman astronaut, someone who looked and felt like her, made it possible for Cady to imagine herself in that role. Her recounting of this experience serves as an undeniable reminder that seeing someone who looks like us achieve something seemingly impossible can inspire us to do the same. As she writes, "If you can see it, you can be it."
Another relatable aspect of Cady's story is her experience as a working, geographically single, mother. Balancing the demands of a demanding career with the joys and challenges of family life is a universal struggle. Cady's numerous anecdotes of balancing being a nurturing and present mother to her son Jamey and excelling in demanding professional environment is a testament to her strength and resilience that was certainly inspiring to this working mother of 3.
Throughout the book, Cady also shares valuable insights into the importance of teamwork, communication, and resilience. Her recounting of her experiences on the International Space Station highlight the importance of working together towards a common goal, even when faced with challenges and setbacks. She also talks about her experiences working with others despite difficult interpersonal challenges. Who hasn’t worked with some they don’t click with, right? I loved two important messages related to this she shares: 1) you can’t control how other act but you can control how you show up and respond, and 2) the power of leading with vulnerability to create connection with others. Two incredibly powerful messages that resonated with me profoundly.
Sharing Space is more than just a memoir; it's a universal guide to finding purpose and overcoming challenges in everyday life. I highly recommend to anyone seeking inspiration, practical life examples of how to overcome obstacles, and an opportunity to experience a world unlike any most of humanity has ever know through the eyes of this compassionate, fiercely intelligent, woman: space....more
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