Remembering to Give Thanks!

I want to begin today's blog by wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving.  My hope is that everyone has taken a little time to be reminded of how blessed we truly are.  I don't know about you, but I have so much to be thankful for.

I was watching Oprah's Favorite Things this past week.  It took me a couple of days to actually watch it because I needed to wait until I was in a somewhat mellow mood.  You may ask why???  I watch that particular show to possibly get gift ideas for Christmas, but.....I am always amazed at how emotional people get, being in that audience.  The reason I tell this story is because one of things she was giving a way was a fifty two inch television.  I found myself getting totally sucked in, thinking how amazing it would be to actually own a fifty two inch television.  My largest is only thirty seven inches.  I sat there and thought,  if I had only been in that audience, ahhhh.....Then I had to ask myself (when I move my new (pretend) television in), do I get rid of my sofa or my kitchen table and chairs.  You see, that is the only way a fifty two inch television would fit in my tiny apartment of 532 square feet. 

That is when I took my moment to realize that we keep wanting more and more when we already have so much.  I have a reliable car to drive, an apartment full of furniture, great family and friends and a God that I can count on.  What more do I need.
Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

To Tell or Not to Tell

I decided to take a minute to let you know where my blog name came from.  For anyone who may be curious,  KimmieKayeDoSometime was well thought out around my mom's kitchen table with the help of family members.  I finally decided that I wanted to focus on my favorite saying in life, by Thomas Wylie (Son) Brannon, PEOPLE DO SOMETIME.  After getting some feedback from everyone, it also seemed important to throw my name in there somewhere.  KimDoSometime was getting there but not quite.  Vicki threw out a nickname from our long time friend, Billy Ferrell.  He called me and still calls me Kimmie Kaye to this day.  I didn't have to spend another second on a name.  It felt so right and quickly became official.  My upcoming blog name would be KimmieKayeDoSometime.blogspot.com. 

We have all heard the words, please don't repeat what I'm getting ready to tell you.  I have learned in my fifty plus years that you can't trust just anyone, no matter what they say.  I believe that the intent is there and they're not trying to lie to you, but they just can't keep it to themselves.  In their minds, it's ok to repeat something as long as they can trust the person who they are telling.  The only guarantee that we really have of confidentiality, is if we don't tell the story in the first place. I'm not trying to imply that no one can keep a secret, but I really believe that people repeating something happens more than it doesn't.  My personal feeling is that saying that we won't tell should mean that we don't tell, but "people do sometime."

I have one more thought, bringing this to the next level.  There will always be people we can trust when asked not to repeat something, but what if someone forgets or just chooses not to say the words, please don't tell.  Does this really give us the right to tell anyone we choose.  I think we need to set up boundaries, being cognizant of what they are and using these boundaries when telling someone else's story.  I need to ask myself from time to time if it's even my story to tell.  Will this information be hurtful or cause embarrassment to someone.  I also think we can decrease the drama of any situation by not giving up everything we know.  I don't write this because I have it mastered and want to help you out along the way.  It's something that I've been thinking about, knowing that I need to be more aware of the things that come out of my mouth.  I'm hoping that it will encourage you to do the same.

Conservative Upbringing Anyone???

I was raised in a very conservative home and today I'm very thankful for that part of my upbringing.  It definitely wouldn't have been considered a strict household, but a way of life with expectations.  We gave our parents reason to trust us, which allowed my older sister and me a lot of freedom.  There were no cell phones back in the day, so we would just call and check in at each stop.  I don't ever remember my mom being asleep when we got home, no matter how late it was.  She always knew where we were and who we were with.  We went to church on Sunday mornings, Sunday nights, Wednesday nights and any other time the church doors were open.  That wasn't a problem because we loved being there.  It was not only our source for friendships, but a place that we experienced true relationships with God.  There were lines we didn't cross, because of the way we were raised and it was who we were.  I met some amazing people during that time and so grateful that I still have a connection with many of them to this day. 

I'm now in my fifties and happy to say that my "conservative" lifestyle really hasn't changed that much.  I know that there are people who laugh at that today, even if it's not always directed toward me.  It's very obvious in today's world that the lines aren't as black and white as they once were, which truly saddens me.   It's the constant compromise in our beliefs and lifestyles, justified with thinking that things just aren't the way they used to be.  Don't take me wrong.  My convictions are mine and you get to have your own.  That's the way God set this whole thing up.  I just want to make sure that I don't get so caught up in what others think is ok, that I forget to remember what is right for me.  I believe that when I know my convictions and follow that path, it will not only please God, but allow me the opportunity to truly make a difference in the lives of others. 

I want to thank you for taking your time out to read my first blog.  This is actually kind of fun!  I can't wait to start writing my next one.