So today, I took this class about how to develop your EI? Who even knew what that was, right? Emotional Intelligence? You mean you’re NOT supposed to cry when an old person wins money on The Price is Right???? Whoa, Nellie. Hold up, wait a minute. Pretty sure I had that deer in the headlights look for the first 15 minutes of the seminar.

I did, however, learn 2 very important things about myself.

1. I’m a Driver. This means I am decisive and have strong viewpoints. I’m strong willed and ambitious.

2. I am a Lion. This is my idea, this is how we’re gonna do it, hear me ROAR.

These are both results of personality tests we took. Pretty sure I already knew these things about myself. Everyone else in my presence does too if they’re around me long enough.

BUT….yes, I said but. Today’s attendants of this seminar were REALLY diverse when it comes to jobs, personalities and viewpoints. And my “well, my way is the right way because it was my idea and it sounds good” personality was a glaring difference in this room today. Sure, there was maybe one more nipping at my heels. Riding that thin line between open and honest or direct and blunt. But the rest of them were Relators, Expressers and Analyzers. Me no likey when the mirror of self-reflection doesn’t show my “good side”.

Y’all ever had one of those spotlight sermons where you know somebody done called that preacher and told him what to preach about because you been acting like a free born fool lately? And your face gets red and you know everybody in the room knows he’s talking about you. Top of your head feels all hot because that spotlight is glaring down on it? Don’t lie. You’ve been there.

In this big, booming, preacher voice…”Being outspoken is not always a virtue”. Cue the head drop. Looking at the ceiling. The clock. What was the name of that old song I liked? Gimme that hymnal to flip thru. If I look up he’s gonna be looking straight at me. Maybe I should get up and go to the bathroom. No, that’s will confirm that it’s me. Stay cool, Kim. It needs to be said too that this preacher at the time was the varsity baseball coach. My son had just started his school baseball career, having played travel ball for years. In other words, this man had seen me in action at a ball game. Be near, Lord.

• Today’s class reminded me of that sermon. Which I have carried around in my mind ever since. It may not have cured my bluntness, but it curbed it. Some folks find this hard to believe but if y’all just KNEW what I hold back! Cause even though orange is my favorite color (War Eagle!), it don’t look good on me!
• Bottom line. It takes all kinds to make the world go round.
• Be you, do you, but be mindful of others. A little kindness goes a long way.