Woman Power – Michelle Jones uses her setbacks as opportunities

Mandeville, Manchester:

“She made broken look beautiful and strong look invincible. She walked with the universe on her shoulders and made it look like a pair of wings.”

– Ariana Dancu

Life growing up in the small district of Coleyville in the parish of Manchester was an interesting one for Michelle Jones as it helped her to develop traits of resilience and persistence she did not think existed.

Her family was not wealthy but upheld stability and made the well-being of each member a priority – one of the reasons Jones was able to deal with the heavy cards life threw at her.

“Discipline was garnered from simple understandings of an appreciation for the humble provisions afforded to us. This subtle inculcation of an appreciation for little has embedded an attitude of gratitude and sacrifice that has been instrumental in motivating me as an adult to live within the constraints of my limitations,” she told Family & Religion.

From having her first child while in college to pushing through a divorce after a very short marriage, Jones learned lessons that govern, up to this day, how she operates daily.

She said: “The birth of my first daughter while in college enabled me to develop a better appreciation for the efforts of my parents in raising me and my siblings through challenging times. Cynthia Carter, a dear family friend, has played a pivotal role in coaching me. Her tutelage allowed me to hone my skills into confidently securing job opportunities in administration, customer service, sales, marketing, among others.”

She added, “Going through my divorce after a very short marriage with two children and pregnant with my last child, now 15, was indeed a challenging and emotional experience. I not only fought with the fact that I lost an attempt at marriage, but also at starting over. This, however, did not deter me as I used my setbacks to overcome by picking myself up, brushing off, and [doing] what I believed I needed to do to nurture and care for my children.”

Jones, who, through her experience, recognised that her health was most important, became a champion for living one’s best life through health and wellness.

“As a mother, it is crucial for me to champion this healthy lifestyle as I have learnt that nobody will ever take care of you like you, and I find my children patterning the way I eat, and even though it’s still hard to get them fully on board, I see where my dedication and consistency have impacted their lifestyles,” she said.

She further encouraged people to not let their setbacks take away from all the things they can accomplish.

“My advice to persons who have gone through divorce or possibly going through one at this time is, it’s not the end of the world; it has made me stronger and more resilient. There is life after, and it actually gives you a better perspective on what you would like your marriage to be should you decide to take another shot at it.”

Jones said she hopes to continue using her skills of motivation, empowerment and planning to transform obstacles into triumphs and assist others in honing the skills they naturally possess to transform their lives.

“Life coaching, for me, is natural because I absolutely love people, and it is my desire to see them happy and going in the right direction. I would like to see my life in the next few years as a leader in motivational speaking, life coaching and health and wellness, providing a hub for persons wishing to develop their lives on a holistic level. I would also like to travel ... and reach as many people as I can” she said.

With a balanced schedule that includes time with her three children, family, and colleagues; worship; and spiritual growth, Jones admitted that alone time is important for reflecting, re-evaluating and recharging.

“Channel your life in the direction that your future self will appreciate,” she ended.

familyandreligion@gleanerjm.com