Diana Robinson, lived in 8 places between the ages of 6 and 14 as she was growing up as a child in a military family. She’s had 18 addresses, so far, she says. “I am like the “Morton Salt of moving” she tells me.. “ when it rains, it pours!”
Diana’s experience is not unusual for children in military families. These “military brats”. will typically move six to nine times during a school career.
Although four out of ten Americans never leave the place in which they were born, the US Census Bureau reports that than 40 million Americans relocate each year.
Moving is the third most stressful event in life, following death and divorce, according to the Employee Relocation Council. Yet these so-called military brats are found to be resilient personalities with exceptional social skills, a high level of multicultural or international awareness, and a statistically strong affinity for careers that entail service to others.
Diana Robinson took the challenges and stresses of her childhood experiences, and turned it into a professional asset. Today, she is a specialist in business development for Graebel Atlanta Movers , and is far more than a certified office and industrial consultant: her livelihood story has as much to do with building resilience as it does with writing packing lists.
She shared the following with us:
My best pay it forward statement is, “Lift as you climb!” I once heard Johnnetta B. Cole speak, and she said her mother used to say it to her. In honor of this favorite quote, I wrote a poem for you:
Lift As You Climb
Lift as you climb, remember to reach around,
To help another up, elevate her from the ground.
Lift as you climb, and be satisfied not,
‘Til females fill the seats of every board this country’s got.
Lift as you climb, pay it forward one and all,
Be the change you dream, work with passion for your call.
Generations yet unborn will be blessed by what you’ve done,
So lift as you climb, my sisters, each one help another one.
By Diana Robinson
10/21/2013
