
These days linking is done mostly through our computers. In bloglandia, we’re used to this type of connection. I find it comforting. Do I add a link to my new book? Not yet. We’ll see.
Some of the book is about linking with the wrong person and how to find the right person – a compatible person who is a good fit. Not someone who has fits. Now, I’m streaming. Those kinds of fits aren’t in the book. But you don’t want to be around someone who has fits, do you? Like hissy fits, or fighting fits, or even being fit to be tied. Not often anyway. Where was I going with this?
I had a list of traits I was looking for in a compatible partner. Some things were non- negotiable, like, “Must Love Dogs.” I got that one. Maybe the one about “not snoring loud” should not have been way at the bottom on the list. I did not get that one. But it’s not a deal breaker. Thank goodness.
Link with someone you trust. But how do you know? People are on their best behavior when you first meet them. It takes time to find out what someone is really like. And then if you link, and find out, oops, this person is crazy and not in a good way, you have to unlink.
If I could go back in time to the rebound from hell and tell myself something, I would tell myself around the second or third date, “GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!” But I didn’t. Due to my vulnerable state of low self worth, I was linked in there for a year. Which was 365 days too long.
I didn’t mean to write all about that. But it (the rebound from hell) gave me compassion for people who stay too long in unhealthy or abusive relationships. Maybe it can help someone avoid the mistakes I made. That’s the point of my new book. That and manifesting. What a weird word. How about making your dreams come true? That’s better.
Some links can be great. Strong. Stable, a good fit. Like when you find the puzzle piece that really does fit, and it makes the picture make sense. And you don’t have to force it. Cause if it don’t fit, don’t force it. A good link makes the whole thing work better. So look before you link. Ask a lot of questions. Or stay home and read a book, or watch TV. Learn stuff. Love yourself. Be well.
We don’t need a link to the book. You can just click on the top right picture of the cover of From Loneliness to Love if you’d like, or scroll down below the post.
But we do need a link to Linda, who gave us this prompt for SoCS. Here it is:
https://lindaghill.com/2020/07/17/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-july-18-2020/
And here are the rules:
1. Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing (typos can be fixed), and minimal planning on what you’re going to write.
2. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop.
3. I will post the prompt here on my blog every Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a subject. For instance, I will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” “Begin with the word ‘The,’” or will simply be a single word to get you started.
4. Ping back! It’s important, so that I and other people can come and read your post! For example, in your post you can write “This post is part of SoCS:” and then copy and paste the URL found in your address bar at the top of this post into yours. Your link will show up in my comments for everyone to see. The most recent pingbacks will be found at the top. NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, such as Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below.
5. Read at least one other person’s blog who has linked back their post. Even better, read all of them! If you’re the first person to link back, you can check back later or go to the previous week by following my category, “Stream of Consciousness Saturday,” which you’ll find below the “Like” button on my post.
6. Copy and paste the rules (if you’d like to) in your post. The more people who join in, the more new bloggers you’ll meet and the bigger your community will get!
7. As a suggestion, tag your post “SoCS” and/or “#SoCS” for more exposure and more views.
8. Have fun!
July 18, 2020 at 10:46 am
This was wonderful!
July 18, 2020 at 11:58 am
Thank you, John! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
July 18, 2020 at 11:05 am
This was good to read. “Cause if it don’t fit, don’t force it” is great advice!
July 18, 2020 at 1:02 pm
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it! The saying came from one of my counselor co-workers. I should’ve attributed it to him, but the stream was moving too fast. It took me a while to learn the lesson of not forcing things.
July 18, 2020 at 11:06 am
Wow, you just took the prompt and ran with it. Great post. I have linked and unlinked a few times. The horrors of first dates. That could be a post all on its own.
July 18, 2020 at 1:18 pm
Thanks, Maggie! If memory serves, which it may or may not, most of my dating horrors didn’t happen until after the first date, though sometimes I did trust my gut and ignore the good impression someone was trying to make.
July 19, 2020 at 8:42 am
You have a point there. I do, however, remember a few so horrific I stopped dating for a while.
July 19, 2020 at 8:06 pm
Sometimes it’s smart to take break.
July 18, 2020 at 12:04 pm
A fine post. Sometimes we know someone is not right for us but bury our instincts because we don’t want to heed them.
July 18, 2020 at 1:37 pm
Exactly! That’s what I did after the divorce. I’m glad you liked the post.
July 18, 2020 at 1:39 pm
We all do it 🙂
July 18, 2020 at 8:31 pm
Thank you. 🙂
July 18, 2020 at 1:17 pm
Wonderful post, JoAnna! I thought I had connected with a good link, but, alas, it became corrupted when we migrated to Brazil. Congrats on the new book. I look forward to receiving my copy 🙂
July 18, 2020 at 1:40 pm
Thanks, Rosaliene. Those links can be corrupted. But we live and learn. Let me know what you think about the book! 🙂
July 19, 2020 at 5:25 pm
I sure will, JoAnna!
July 20, 2020 at 7:15 am
Excellent take on the prompt, JoAnna. Congratulations on your new book too! The lessons we learn when we link up with the wrong people definitely last, but like you say, help us grow too. PS – your IG photo of your mask is cool – the sunglasses an added wild and groovy touch 🙂
July 20, 2020 at 10:05 pm
Thanks, Shelley. I’m glad you like the post and the sunglasses with the tiger mask. The sunglasses are the kind that fit over my Rx glasses, so their big. Maybe that’s the groovy effect. 🙂
July 22, 2020 at 7:30 am
I hear that big sunglasses are chic 😉 You pull the look off well!
July 22, 2020 at 10:59 pm
🙂 Good to know, because the sunglasses work well over my regular glasses.
July 24, 2020 at 7:00 am
Win- win!!
July 21, 2020 at 11:53 am
Wonderful post on the art of linking, JoAnna! Very insightful and relatable. Love the prompt too. I’m grateful for blogging, as it allowed me connect to you. The blogging communities we create enrich our lives immeasurably — they are a Godsend for those (like me) that are inclined to shelter in place naturally (pre-covid) and for everyone sheltering now to stay safe. Blessings, MW 🙏
July 21, 2020 at 1:10 pm
Thank you, Mother Wintermoon. I am very grateful to have connected with you.
July 21, 2020 at 2:42 pm
😍🥰😍