Jodie's Journey

Memories of Aunt Belinda January 24, 2018 On Saturday, January 20, I wrote this tribute to Aunt Belinda on my blog. JodieRoberson@blogspot.com I spent the morning looking at poems about grief and loss and how to cope. I could find nothing that satisfied me, nothing that was a fitting tribute to you, my Aunt Belinda. My mind is flooded with memories of your laugh, your smile, and all you were.   You raised two awesome men. Both are hard workers with a love of family and friends.   You showed them how to love, fiercely. Your devotion and caring nature inspired me as I was growing up.   I was always so excited to see you.   I knew seeing you meant big hugs, potato salad, and home-made key lime pies. You always saw the good in people. Even though life threw some great big punches at you, you didn’t quit.   You always took another step.   You always got back up. I have always seen myself as “a lot like Aunt Belinda”. After all, we both are the p...

A Tribute to My Aunt Belinda      I spent my morning looking at poems about grief and loss and how to cope.  I could find nothing that satisfied me. Nothing that was a fitting tribute to you, my Aunt Belinda.        My mind is flooded with memories of your laugh, your smile, and all you were.  You raised two awesome men. Hard workers with a love of family and friends.  You showed them how to love, fiercely.  Your devotion and caring nature inspired me as I was growing up.  I was always so excited to see you. I knew seeing you meant big hugs, potato salad, and home-made key lime pies.  You always saw the good in people. Even though life threw some great big punches at you, you didn’t quit. You always took another step. You always got back up. I have always seen myself as “a lot like Aunt Belinda”. After all, we both are the petite ones with the fine, straight hair. We love to read and love to laugh. ...

I’m usually a go all out, push forward, don’t stop kind of girl.  Oh my goodness, it hit me like a ton of bricks this morning:  I have GOT to set some limits.  Over Christmas break and during this snow, all I did was eat, eat, eat. While I was sick, I was unable to eat or drink. I longed for anything. I felt so deprived and sad. Eating is a comfort for me. I have always struggled with my weight and body image. Food is an addiction for me. It always has been. I have used food, in the past, as a way to sooth whatever was happening in my life at the time: a test, a breakup, death of a loved one, divorce, boredom, financial stress… There are so many things. Over the last few months, I have let my “eating to cope” get out of hand.  Today, I know I have to set limits.  I “choose” to make better decisions about the things I put into my body.  I “choose” to live better. I “choose” to set limits. 

      Baby, it's cold outside! With the weather like it is, motivation is hard to come by.  At least it is for me.  Wikipedia states, "motivation is the reason for people's actions, desires, and needs."  It's difficult for me to even be motivated to type this blog today, but I have reasons for putting my thoughts and feelings down.  Over the past few days, I have tried to think about what I'm lacking in these cold and snowy days. What I came up with is "motivation". I have sought out books, quotes, stories, and videos to encourage my level of motivation.       "You don't overcome challenges by making them smaller but by making yourself bigger." ~John C. Maxwell        Find your drive.  What are your values?  I value education and love.  I "choose" to connect my values with the work I do.  I "choose" to shift from getting things done to doing things right.  When we feel good ph...

       I have always been a collector of quotes and expressions.  I have always kept a journal of some kind.  Writing is a release. I love to write and I love to read about the stories of others. Tonight, I have been reading my Bible and some of my old journals.  Have you every felt like you just needed to see …where you have been? ...what you have been through? ...what you have overcome? …how you have changed?  …how you made it?         It's been a glass half full vs. a glass half empty kind of night for me.  I'm trying very hard to flood my thoughts with positive quotes and scriptures.  I'm typing as I am reading. Here it goes… A mode of conduct, a standard of courage, discipline, fortitude, and integrity can do a great deal to make a woman beautiful.  ~Jacqueline Bisset In the final analysis our most common basic link is that we all inhabit this small planet.  We all br...

Who are the people in our world who inspire you the most?  I admire professional athletes, not because of their talent, necessarily, but because of their work ethic. I am inspired by people with drive and who move through life with self-discipline. Mohammed Ali said, "I am going to show all of you how great I am!"  I have been studying people over the last 4-5 weeks who I think exemplify "goal-driven" lives.   Les Brown After my hospital stay I began listening to you tube videos by a man named Les Brown.  His story is awesome. He is such an inspiration. Les Brown always wanted to be a radio personality.  Les began hanging around his local radio station.  He would talk to the people who worked there.  He would do odd jobs for them, run errands, and take out the trash. Once Les gained their trust, they began showing him how to be a disc jockey. He caught on quickly.  You see, Les Brown was willing to do menial jobs in order to...

What would you do if you could do it for the rest of your life?  That's your passion!  There are several things that I am working towards that may surprise some.  I'm planning to go back to school to get my PhD in Educational Research in the Fall of 2018. Learning and children are my passion.  Now is the time to set yourself up for the next 10 years. Make a declaration! If you want it, go all out.  Expect things to get better because life is cyclic. Whatever your situation, it will pass. There is always a way out. Make a declaration that you are unstoppable. Sometimes I doubt wether or not I'm too old to go back to school.  I worry about how I will pay for college. I know that God will make a way for my dreams to come true.  I just have to make the effort. I must h ave a strategy to change the story I believe about myself. I will always strive to have a positive mental mindset and push away the fear of failure. You don't have to be great...