Okay, so I’m aging myself as well as giving you a clue as to what region I’m from. Where I grew up, this phrase basically means “what do you do when your plans fall apart?”
Well, that’s kind of where I’m today (or where I was last night writing this post). As you know from my sidebar calendar, I was suppose to have a guest blogger here today. However, due to unforeseen circumstances that didn’t happen. I wasn’t prepared and had put this together at the last minute.
Didn’t really have anything to blog about which sounds crazy considering that I had book giveaways ending and have been graciously given two more blog awards. The giveaway winners haven’t been selected and notified yet and I had planned to pass the awards on to other bloggers when I posted them and didn't have time to work on that.
I will say a special thanks to Margot at Confessions of a Mystery Novelist ...
for awarding me the Sunshine Award and Terry at Romance Author, Terry Spear for giving me the Happiness Award. If you haven’t stopped by Margot’s blog, please do so. She always has an entertaining and informative post that is thought provoking. I have learned much from her blog. If you haven’t stopped by Terry’s blog, you should. Terry’s love of wolves and historical romance will entertain you. In addition, be sure to check out her 
other links. One is for the Wilde & Woolly Bears she creates.I’ve planned more since I’ve been blogging then I have....well ever. Normally if I plan something, it never works out. I like to have a idea in mind and work with that. But with blogging I’ve had to learn to plan. For the most part, it has worked great and I’m learning from it. Planning does help.
I want to mention a post I read yesterday at Coffee Rings Everywhere that has stayed with me. Rayna talked about meeting a woman at the gym and striking up a conversation, but once the woman learns she’s a working woman she doesn’t speak to her again. The woman doesn’t think she will have anything in common with Rayna or disapproves because she works. (Her loss for not getting to know Rayna).
It got me to thinking. We do decide not to “know” someone based solely on one thing sometimes. It could be something as simple as because they talk too loud. What we may not know is that they are hard of hearing and don’t realize they are loud. I’ve mentioned this before, but when I started blogging I never imaged “befriending” authors. Authors were “authors” and I was a journalist, not an author. I have since come to know, admire and appreciate so many authors. They were so much more open to meeting someone new than I was. I am learning.
We have to give people a chance. They may surprise you and even inspire you once you do. With that in mind I will try to be more open when meeting new people. What about you? Do you automatically take to new people or it is a little harder for you? Any tips you’d like to share on being more open minded? Happy blogging today.
Mason - Oh, my "wheels fall off the wagon" all the time, so you are not alone! It's not what happens to you; it's what you do with what happens.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your blog awards :). You richly deserve them all. And thanks for the kind words about my blog; I truly appreciate them. I have to say, I learn every time I visit your blog, too.
Thank you for the mention, Mason.
ReplyDeleteI am diffident by nature, and often find it hard to reach out to new people. But if there is one thing life has taught me, it is that there is no way of predicting who you are going to gell with. I do go with an open mind when it comes to meeting people, and that's how I end up knowing so many interesting peopel.
~ Rayna
Congratulations on the awards!
ReplyDeleteOver the last few years, I've become more open to new people than at any other time in my life, and as a result, I've met some amazing people both online and in real life (and I count you among them) that have truly enriched my life. I think I have to give blogging, as well as social media, credit for this to some degree - it just opened up a whole new world in a lot of different areas.
I wonder whether part of this simply comes with age, and, hopefully, maturity ;) - when we're younger, we tend to look for people we have a lot in common with. As we get older, we start to realize that it's often more interesting to meet people who have something new and different to offer, and who help us stretch and grow and leave our comfort zone.
I felt the same when I read Rayna's post. So sad that some people limit themselves is such ways. Part of the reason I teach is because I love all kinds of people :)
ReplyDeleteMargot, thank you for the kind words. You are so right, it is what we do with what happens that matters.
ReplyDeleteRayna, I'm shy by nature so it's always been hard for me to meet new people. I am learning to be more open and you're right, that's how you get to know such interesting people.
Ingrid, you may have touched on something there. Maturity does teach us that we need to branch out from our common zone more. I also think that blogging has helped me both online and in real life.
Jemi, it is sad that people limit themselves. I have a feeling you teach your students not to be that way and as a result are helping to influence a new generation to look at life better.
That's one of the things I like about the blogging world - you meet people you would not have otherwise met and the best part is when you meet your virtual friends in person.
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
Have a good Tuesday.
You've made a very good point, Mason--don't judge a book by it's cover! It's trite, but so true that we can miss out on so many good books...and good people...that way.
ReplyDeleteI know what Rayna is talking about--I've seen working women not be part of the clique before. Very sad.
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
Dru, being able to meet the new virtual friends would be an added bonus.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, I guess when you're a working woman surrounded by working women you don't stop and think others wouldn't appreciate what you have to offer as a person just because you're a working female. It is sad.
Congrats on the awards.
ReplyDeleteSome people you meet, you feel an immediate connection. Some can put you off immediately. For all, it's good to reserve judgment, I think.
Helen
Straight From Hel
Since we just moved, I'm doing little other than meeting new people. We've moved to a small town (where everyone waves as they drive by), and I don't think I have many prejudices about making new friends--although I can't guarantee I'll like everyone. Likewise, I can't assume they'll all like me (although I don't know why ... I'm really a nice person!) :-)
ReplyDeleteSome of my oldest, dearest friends have life circumstances, external appearances, and temperaments a world apart from mine. In fact, people make comments to see us mismatched together, laughing and chatting as if we'd seen each other last week not a year ago. But somehow, we enjoy the differences in each other and harmonize. People are a never-ending surprise.
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful to have people in your life who can sympathize with your daily struggles. It's also necessary to have people that just accept YOU.
Congratulations on your award--thanks for your blog and your great giveaways! YAY!
ReplyDeleteI like the wagon wheel image and metaphor
ReplyDeleteI always keep in mind that the person I meet today might change my life forever!
ReplyDeleteAnd if you haven't figured out by now, Mason, authors are nice people - weird sometimes, but usually nice!
I'm new here, from Barkowski's blog.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on all your awards!
~Lola
Helen, one thing I'm trying to do is think that maybe that person is having a bad day when I meet them is the reason I didn't click with them. So that's my way of reserving judgment until a second or third meeting.
ReplyDeleteKaren, thank you for your kind words. You're right, we don't need to judge people based on one thing.
Terry, that's one neat thing about a small town. People may not like a person, but they'll usually wave when they pass them. :)
Clare2e, those people in your life that accept you just for you are the best.
Mary, thanks for your kind words. I hope to have some new giveaways next week.
Diane, I like that thought. And, you're right, authors are some of the nicest people. I wouldn't say weird, just unique.
Lola, thanks for dropping by and following. Hope you'll come back often. Love Barkowski's blog.
I like what you say about people who talk loud etc.
ReplyDeleteBeing very reserved myself, I know better than to judge people right off the mark. It's happened too many times to me.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your awards!
I'm pretty shy (in person, not online), so I don't make new friends easily. How outgoing I am depends on what kind of mood I'm in.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the awards. You deserve them!
VR, reading your comment made me smile. It sounds a little like me. There are days I know I make the wrong impression on people and I hope they give me a second chance.
ReplyDeleteJanel, mood does have a lot to do with how feel we reach out to others or not. Thanks for the kind words.
Geesh -- I'm amazed when something does go according to plan. I've had to truly learn to go with the flow.
ReplyDeleteAs for talking to and meeting new people, attending writers' conferences and conventions helped me so much -- there was no reason to be there if I didn't network, so I made myself do it. Now I love it, but it was very painful at first.