Doing a New Thing

 

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV

As I reach the mid-point of 2025, I am happy to share I am doing a new thing! I’m not 100 percent sure what that it is yet, but I am making a leap of faith. I’m letting go of some old things and embracing a lot of new.

I am saying goodbye to my hometown of Columbia and making the move to my beautiful Georgetown home. I am finishing up my time in state government to pursue something not yet determined.

I’m leaving behind some family and great friends, but they all know my door and guest bedroom are always open.

I am truly excited to see what God has planned for me in this new chapter, and I am counting on Him to show me the way.

Last year was filled with heartbreak and loss, probably one of the most challenging times I have ever experienced. Thankfully, I had my faith, family and friends that helped me persevere and keep moving forward, like the overachieving A-type person I am. Sometimes it’s these rough patches in life that make us reflect and reevaluate things.

I want to spend whatever time I have left on this planet making a difference for others, serving my church, spending time with my growing family (I’m a grandmother-to-be), traveling and enjoying new experiences. And while my family history of longevity indicates I should have a good amount of time to do these things, I know nothing is guaranteed except the Resurrection.

So I am taking the plunge! Starting over in a new community that I hope will embrace me. Looking for a new opportunity where I can use my experience and skills to help some cause or organization without the constant pressures of being “the boss.” Something that is gratifying and still allows me to smell the roses in life.

Say a prayer for me! And if you know someone who could use a little Karen Owens in their world, how about give me a call?

Cheers to the next chapter!

The Need to Chat... 2025 Update

Well here's what happens when life gets interrupted and you forget to hit Publish! But in re-reading this post from nine years ago, much of it still applies so I am recycling it with some new information at the end. Enjoy!

Several years ago I started Chapin Chatter as a business development tool for my consulting business. As a small business owner, I was interested in supporting other small business owners and enjoyed writing about what their businesses did. Some of the folks I interviewed and featured became clients, others did not. But I filled a void that was missing in my community.

That point did not go unnoticed. When the local chamber had a vacancy for its executive director position, it was my blog that helped me land a job that I enjoyed and was a good fit for my life at that time.

I enjoy making a difference. That's what makes me tick. My spiritual gifts of administration and hospitality provide me with a number of ways to serve others. But it's my writing that has been a constant throughout my adult life.

It's funny. My mother the English teacher was always the one who talked about writing a book. She would talk about the limited number of plot lines, pros and cons of various writing styles, and if I remember correctly, she was never very enamored with the draft papers I would share with her back in the day. Fortunately, Dr. Kitson and Mrs. Kelly didn't share that same sentiment, and I made As in both their classes with my writing.

In graduate school, I had the good fortune to work in the media relations office at DHEC. One of my superiors was a former reporter, and he really helped me hone my skills as a writer. From press releases to marketing pieces to that all important business letter that commands action and respect, my love of writing grew during that period.

I have spent my entire career writing. Sometimes people get to see my byline and other times, I have to wear my ghost writer hat. I have penned opinion pieces for elected officials, business leaders as well as for charitable causes I have supported. It feels great to see something I have crafted in print, even if the average Joe has no idea that they are my words that are making them feel or respond in a certain way.

Putting words down on paper, or now on my laptop screen, has always helped me process my thoughts and feelings. Rarely do I sit down and knock something out on a first draft. I enjoy changing things around, mulling over my words and letting them marinade.

In some cases, for my personal writing I like to include an appropriate bible verse when it helps make a point. It's also a reflection of my awareness that writing is a gift that God has given me, and it's my responsibility to use that gift to His glory. I don't know if I have a book in my future but I am glad I decided to resurrect my blog. It's been a blessing of focus for my wandering mind. And maybe...just maybe, it will be a blessing for others, too.

Fast forward update: I am dusting off my Karen Owens Communications consulting business and looking for new clients in the Georgetown County area of the Lowcountry. That's not to say I wouldn't help someone in the Midlands or Upstate if the need is there. You can contact me here to learn more about my experience and if there is a project you need help with, shoot me an email.

Be kind to one another

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

Sometimes not saying anything is the best course of action. Especially when it involves asking about something as unimportant as a blemish, a scratch mark, bruise or cut. Yet in our instant gratification, need to know society, it’s amazing the insensitivity we can muster at another’s expense.

Now I have a friend I can hear saying “you just need to let that stuff go.” And most times I do let unappreciated comments roll off my back. But after two weeks of having people, mostly grown men, ask me about a blemish I have struggled with on my very conspicuous forehead, my “let it go” reflex is shot. Kaput! Gone. Long gone… my feelings are more than hurt.

If I had the flexibility to just go to bed until all was well, by golly I would have done it. But like most people, I have to work. I am also very active in my community with volunteer and service efforts. I enjoy an active lifestyle so I have tried to “stiff upper lip it” and persevere.

After all it’s just a zit! I have struggled with cystic acne throughout my adult life.  Not to bore you with my personal hygiene, but I regularly visit the dermatologist and use medicines to keep the beast, as it were, at bay. And occasionally I will get a nasty one that defies the topical creams and becomes a monster that can hurt physically and mentally, thanks to the seemingly clever quips people can come up with to inquire about my forehead.

“Did somebody hit you?”  “Is it Lent? Looks like you just came from an Ash Wednesday service.” And today’s latest inquiry – “are you becoming a Hindu?” – by a member of my own church. Fortunately I was able to manage a quick retort, “No. But thanks so much for asking!” Not the Christian, forgiving high ground remark I should have made, but the kicked dog barked.

I’ve had accidents where I have done something stupid and have the “war wounds” to prove it. I’m usually more than willing to share those stories where my lack of agility or judgment at a certain point in time has caused a visible injury that all want to know about. I can laugh at myself with the best of them and am known for dishing it right back out…until I get to a point where I can’t. And then I recoil like a turtle going back into its hard shell, except I don’t have the luxury of having a shell.

Maybe you guys can handle the jabs about the errant razor nick or the scab from hitting your follically-challenged head on an inanimate object. After all, I am a member of the supposedly- weaker sex. It’s not that I don’t want your compassion or caring for my current life situation. I would just like you to be a little more considerate in your inquiries.

If anything, the remarks of the past two weeks have given me a not-so-subtle reminder that words can and do hurt. I need to be equally vigilant in keeping my tongue in-check and not causing undo harm to those I care about with insensitive comments or questions.

So next time you come across someone whose appearance is slightly different than how you usually remember it, please keep your cute comments to yourself. If the person wants to share the gory details about this temporary inconvenience, she will tell you. But maybe giving that person a warm handshake and a simple “it’s good to see you today”  is all the medicine that’s required.

Pulling my small foot from my big mouth

I like to talk... and most of the time that's a good thing. But when it isn't it stinks! And even worse is when you hurt someone's feelings because your mind isn't fast enough to shut your mouth down before you lash out a spew of uncaring, insensitive remarks faster than a volcano erupts. Ugh...

"Be gentle with yourself and others... for we are the dwelling place of the Most High."

I always loved hearing my friend Phil Purser share this message at the end of church services when he was my priest. It's a wonderful reminder that we are called to love one another and that taking care of each other is really a way to glorify God.

I keep this note on my phone so I can look at it when I need to pull myself up from getting knocked down by someone I care about. Today I am looking at it because I was the person who delivered the punch, selfishly worrying more about MY feelings than the ones being shared with me by my friend.

I have apologized profusely, and forgiveness has been granted. It's not the first dust up, nor will it be the last. But that's the beauty of God's grace - that sins are forgiven if we just ask. And it's important to remember that no matter the injury, His mercy will bring us back into communion with those we care about.

I am not perfect, and neither is my friend. But through grace and mercy we will continue on... for a very long time I hope!