Know Me By My Heart

I take pride in being an open book. I live my life as such that there are no secrets. I lay my good, bad and ugly out there for everyone to see. I sing my praises when things go well; I share my triumphs, tragedies and terrors. As a little girl, my outspoken disposition was sometimes considered unmannered or outrageous. My brother would be drop his jaw at the things I would say without a hesitation and my Mom would correct me for being so abrupt with a quick toned “Kelly Jo!!”

I have to say that over the years I learned to hold back my thoughts, feelings and concerns more – mostly due to a feeling that I was giving too much of myself to those around me (maybe to a few that didn't deserve such honesty). But as I continue to grow and age…I am starting to see that I respect honesty, openness, and communication in those around me much more than any other trait. I have been shocked recently by learning some ‘secrets’ that were kept hidden by someone closest to me..by either deception or omission, it doesn’t matter. I was not given the whole story, the whole truth, and the whole person. A gut wrenching ache has been speaking to me for quite some time. This intuitive spirit that I have, I believe, is God’s way of telling me to watch closely and protect myself.


I am sad that more people around me aren’t more forth coming with their history, their mistakes, and their downfalls. I find the flaws in the human spirit tender, enduring.  There is a realness in honesty that humbles the heart and can be a great source of strength. I believe that unless you can admit to wrongs - you will never learn from them or be better because of them. I believe anything hidden or kept in darkness will eventually shrivel up and die – secrets of the heart will do eventually cause your soul to die and your spirit to be weak. I worry so much that the key to many people’s hearts are thrown away and remain locked forever by the secrets they keep. 

I will always share what is on my heart. Not as an imposition or effort to be vain…but mostly because I love you and want you to know me by my heart. Please do the same for me.