Showing posts with label Dear Linda. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dear Linda. Show all posts

9 Blogging Questions You've Been Asking Me

Hey my friends!  Welcome back.

Today we're going to look at questions you've sent my way in recent days.  Hopefully this will be helpful, maybe even interesting whether you're new to blog reading ... or you're a writer who's been blogging since way back in the day.

I've been writing online since 2008.  And more than ever I love it.  I do get a little weary of hearing creative types brush it off as 'old school.'  The nay-sayers don't know what they're missing.  Fresh topics and energizing dialogue that enlarge our borders and push us out of our well-worn comfort zones.  Open doors and invitations to be heard and known.  Building relationships and growing faith in ways that sometimes catch us surprisingly off guard.

There's absolutely nothing flashy, trendy, or eye-catching about my online home's design.  No bells and whistles, no widgets and gizmos.  I've kept things pretty bare bones with lots of quiet white space.  When all is said and done, it's probably been a good thing.  

Looking back, simple has served me pretty well.  I've learned the hard way that too much tinkering with the innards quickly robs me of any creativity I may have.

My desire is to offer you a warm and welcoming Christ-centered space.  A gentle pause in the busyness of your online travels.  A calm haven to catch your breath and be re-filled.  An opportunity for you to join in community with other like-minded souls to savor whatever is on the table at the moment.

And an ongoing invitation to safely join in on the conversation at hand.  Or silently soak it all in on the sidelines.

Anyway, let's go ... 

1.  Where can I find your past book recommendations?  I love the fiction you've written about.
Oh I'm glad you've found some good stuff!  

Go to LindaStoll.net.  

Right under the brick wall logo, click on post index.  

You'll see the word LABELS on the right side.  Scroll down until you find the word bookbag and click on that link.

All the book posts will be at your fingertips.  Enjoy!


2.  Do you make money when I shop at Amazon after clicking on one of their links here?
Thanks for asking, yes!  

It's usually about 4% of your purchase total, depending on what you buy.  So if you buy a book for $1.99, I might get 8 cents.  But if you continue shopping after you arrive on Amazon, I will receive about 4% {more or less} of your total purchase price.  And it doesn't cost you anything extra.  

One way to do this is to take advantage of the e-book deals I gather for you.  Click here to scroll through my most recent finds.  You'll also find this link under the brick logo at the top of LindaStoll.net.  This page is updated often and is a great way to sample a number of authors and their work.  You'll never know who or what will turn up.  Enjoy!


3.  I used to get your posts in my email.  Now they're not showing up.  What happened?
In the past year Blogger slowly faded Feedburner out which is how subscribers received posts in their email inboxes.  I moved to Mailchimp about 15 months ago.  I'm guessing a number of readers and writers wonder where everyone vanished to.

Please re-subscribe by clicking the subscribe button on the top right under the brick wall logo.  You'll most likely find my smiling face in your inbox within the week. 


4.  You often talk about 'joining the conversation.'  How can I leave a comment?  Or read what others are saying?
Subscribers, simply click on the title of the post and that will take you over to LindaStoll.net.  Scroll down to the comment section and follow the prompts.  When you see Name/URL, simply put your name there, and speak your mind.

OR

You can hit REPLY and email me your comment.  I'll cut and paste it onto the website with the initial of your first name.

Please note that comments are approved by me before they show up on the site.  This saves us all from dealing with obnoxious spam and random obscenities.  99% of the time I'll respond to your thoughts ... and if you're a blogger, I'll be dropping by at your place to say, 'hello.'

Honestly, the comment section is the best part.  Period.

 
5.  What days do you publish?
I'm keeping a pretty loose schedule these days.  This is the 5th month of PORCH, my weekend newsletter.  It goes out anywhere from Thursday to Saturday.  Some weeks I'll do an essay mid-week.  

Subscribers get everything I write.  There's no special sign-ups or secret handshakes.  Mailchimp sends out anything published soon after 11 am {eastern}.


6.  I want to share your work with my friends.  How do I do that?
If you're a subscriber reading this on email, simply hit the forward button and send a post to whoever.  I'd love that.  Really.

If you're reading on LindaStoll.net, you'll find 4 round aqua share buttons at the end of each post.  If you like something, please spread the word to your fans and followers.  


7.  Are you on social media?
Nope, you won't find me anywhere else except right here.  I decided long ago to just stick with blogging.  The technology for everything else was daunting and I knew that I was already spending too much time online. 

I do post a Scripture verse early mornings on LinkedIn.  I'd love to see you there.


8.  Will you do a guest post on my blog, read my manuscript, or connect with me offline?
Email me and we'll talk, ok?
linda stoll @ juno . com


9.  Are you still counseling?
No, I retired from private practice right before Covid hit full force back in 2020.  But you can access a number of posts on emotional healing and spiritual growth by clicking here.  This will always be a passion of mine and a distinct theme in my writing.

And I keep this mental health resources link updated on LindaStoll.net.  It's right under the brick wall logo.  I hope you'll find some helpful information there.  If you're in crisis, please call 911 or head to your local Emergency Room.

What other questions do you have, dear readers?  You bloggers, let's talk about your blogging life these days ...
Linda

P.S.
Liked this?  Click here for more musings on the wonders and challenges of the blogging life.

A Re-Titled Letter to My 65 Year Old Self



Dear Self ~

I'm not sure exactly why you've been awake for hours.  Here you are before dawn has barely broken, dragging this ancient laptop downstairs and out on the porch where the early morning breezes are blowing energetically.  Even the birds are not quite sure what in heaven's name you're doing as they fly past the windows to the feeders for an early breakfast.

For some reason, you've made turning 65 into a great big deal. 

Sure it's a milestone, but I don't quite understand why you're so unsettled by it, why you seem determined to have some kind of weird self-absorbed pity party.

Stop it.  

Just  .  Stop  .  It.

65 is not the end of the road.  Unless God wants it to be.  And last time I looked, He seemed to have work for you to do.

I know, I know, this has been a year you'd just as soon forget with all the deep losses and the physical drama and trauma that left you emotionally shot.  

Yes, yes, you were so sick that you had to close down your counseling practice.  Daily news updates remind you that you can hardly go anywhere anymore safely.  Your mask is always at the ready.

Mom is declining right in front of your eyes and your heart breaks in a million pieces yet again every time you see her. 

You missed your 17 year old beauty's birthday yesterday.  Her state won't let your state's people in without a major upheaval.

Join the party.  You are not alone.

For some reason, you stopped journaling mid-winter, right before the pandemic hit.  Maybe you should dust that baby off and do a little soul searching, a bit of unpacking, and sort through what's making 65 so ridiculously traumatic for you.

Really.

Enough already with the pity party, dear girl.

All those deep truths about living for Jesus that you've learned at the feet of your ancestors and mentors, teachers, friends, and grandchildren need to re-claimed yet again.  All the encouraging words of grace-filled challenge you've whispered to counseling clients and written for your precious blogging community need to be revisited.  

Not by them, but by you.

So go do the next right thing.  Continue taking the best care of yourself you can.  Be gentle and kind to yourself ... without excessive coddling.  Keep those stupid time-wasting screens off.  Get out and about as much as you can, girl.  Listen continuously to the Spirit's gentle voice of comfort, direction, correction, and love.  Get serious about cultivating joy and anticipation.  Laugh often.

Make gratitude your byword.

If you look carefully, you'll see that there might be a door or two opening for you.  That God has someone for you to be, something for you to do.  Stop waiting around for a gold-plated invitation to reach out.  The gifts He's given you are still there.  In fact they might be even richer than ever because of what you've lived through during these past 12 months.

Keep on leading that Women's Pandemic Support Group at church.  Don't stop singing all 58 verses of those old hymns that come to your mind at the strangest times.  Keep your eyes peeled for the needs around you and roll up your sleeves.  Celebrate the daily, the ordinary, the necessary.

And don't neglect your soul in the process.  Keep on faithfully cultivating and investing in your relationship with Christ.  When all is said and done, He is all you have, He is all you need.  

He calls you beloved.  He loves you so.

Now go dust yourself off, pick up your mantle of compassion, and simply do the next right thing well.

And smile with a joyful hope as you continue to aim toward living this passage out - 'Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things ... And the God of peace will be with you' - Philippians 4:8-9.

And for heaven's sake, stop whining about hitting 65, will ya' ... and go read what you wrote a few years back - In Which 60 is the New 30.

Look up, look forward, girl ~

Linda

P.S.  3 hours after hitting the publish button, I re-titled this post.  I was uncomfortable as I realized I had been a bit harsh with myself.  Our beloved Savior is the 'Father of compassion and the God of all comfort' {2 Corinthians 1:3}.  We should be showing ourselves the same loving kindness as He has shown us even as we re-examine our lives in the light of His Word and the prompting of His Spirit.

Farewell, 'A Rather Blunt Letter to My 65 Year Old Self.'

Thank You, Jesus, for your tender mercies toward Your children ...

<<  On the Porch * Fall Decorating ~ Are You Kidding Me?

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doing life with Lisa

Dear Linda ~ 'I feel so responsible for everyone'


Happy summer weekend to you, friends!

I'm sitting at the big ol' table on the porch, the ceiling fan spinning 'round as I soak up the coolish breezes while a gentle rains fall.  I've already lugged the thirsty ferns outside so they can enjoy the mist.  The birds are going crazy at the feeders.  All is well with the world.

I'm resurrecting the old Dear Linda series today.  

Here's how we roll.

1.  You send me a dilemma or a question. 

2.  I get your permission to answer it on the blog, either anonymously or with your name.

3.  I offer my two cents.

4.  I hit the orange Publish button.

5.  Our little community offers you words of validation, empathy, and encouragement.

Today's letter?  All about vacationing with adult children ...


Dear Linda ~

Please pray for me that I might be able to experience a true vacation for me, in my mind and my soul.  Too often I feel so responsible for everyone and whether the family dynamic is perfect, everyone is happy, and it is overwhelming and heavy.

I'm going to try this year to make sure I have my grounding times of devotion and solitude before my days begin.  It's often easy to forego that on vacation!

Love,
Exhausted Already

*

Dear Exhausted ~

Your old routine sounds wearying, stressful, futile!  I pray your new mindset will bring a lightness to your spirit and enjoyment to your days.  

When my family was here in June I told them I'd take care of Saturday night dinner and that was it.  I had food in the fridge but not the typical overload that I normally do when the gang descends.  I planned nothing ... meals, activities, comings and goings.

It was the best visit ever.  Everyone figured out the details along the way and I didn't have to be in charge of anything.

Bliss.

The key?  Remembering that there's no perfect family.

I'm only responsible for me.  I can not make other people happy.

They are responsible for themselves, their attitudes, their relationships.

This takes the unrelenting pressure off to be all things to all people.  'We make it our goal to please Him' (2 Corinthians 5:9).

Pack your bikini and have a blast ~
Linda

Got a dilemma or a question you want to chat about?  Simply email me at linda stoll @ juno . com or leave it in the comments.

And click here if you missed July's Loose Ends * Let's Chill Edition!


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visiting with 

On the Porch * Dear Linda #2

Hey, you're back!

If it's the weekend, then we're On the PorchAnd yes, there's plenty of room for you here.

You never know what you'll find when you stop by ... some Scripture or maybe a few links or snapshots or something that caught my eye during the week.  Or, like we have again today, a simple question that deserves focused conversation, like this one left by Mary Geisen in the comment section last week.

Mary hosts a weekly blog link-up ... if you're writing online, do slip over to her place on Tuesday morning and join the happy throng.  She's a delightful hostess and you'll get to connect with all kinds of creative types.

Such fun!

She writes ...
I always love spending time with you.  Thank you for inviting me to sit on the porch awhile with you.  I have been interested in Lectio Divina and the process of diving deeper.  Ruth Haley Barton explained it well.  Have you ever dived deeper into Lectio Divina?




Hi Mary!

Thanks for tucking your little question into the comment section last week!  After I answered it, I knew I wanted to include it in a Dear Linda post because prayer is such a vital part of our Christian life.

Or should be.

Ruth is a superb spiritual guide.  I found her to be a mentor-from-afar when I was making my way through the women-in-ministry minefield back in the day.  She's spoken powerfully over time on issues of women in ministry, solitude and silence, and church leadership.  I was able to attend one of her retreats years ago, her books line a shelf in my office, her blog is excellent, I love getting her newsletter in my inbox each week, and her podcast is well worth the investment of 30 minutes.  Here's a link to her resources.

Yep, I'm a fan.

In answer to your question, I've tried Lectio Divina a few times here and there but it didn't work for me ... it felt kind of forced and a bit outside my comfort zone.  

What I do appreciate is simply sitting with whatever Scripture I'm reading for the day and stopping when a few words speak to me.  I reflect on those words, repeating them to myself, breathing deeply until they become embedded in my soul.

While I don't do Bible memorization like I did when I was a little girl {in the KJV, of course!!}, meditation on just a few simple words has calmed me often, focusing me on the beautiful strength of His Word for the here and now.  It speaks to whatever challenges and situations I'm facing and has deepened my prayer life.

Over the years, my most focused praying has been through journaling.  Putting pen to paper in the presence of the Savior has been a lifeline, a grace, a salvation.  After I've unpacked, my mind has stopped spinning because I believe I've been heard, my thoughts and emotions validated.  My heart is open to Him and I find clarification and peace. 

Most nights, I pray myself to sleep.  Literally.  What a way to finish off the day, connecting with the Lover of my soul.  Sure beats counting sheep or tossing and turning.

And sometimes, I invite people in my world to share their requests with me and I do a kind of informal day of quiet prayer as I make my way through the hours.

Like this weekend when the schedule is open and all around me is still.

Your sister in Christ ~
Linda




If you've got a question you'd like to chat about On the Porch, please leave it in the comment section ...

Or email me at linda stoll @ juno . com.  

Dear Readers - what's your prayer life look like?  Is it waxing and waning, strong and powerful or, like mine, somewhere in between?

I'd love to pray specifically for you this weekend.  Please leave your prayer request in the comment section.  Email readers, click on the post title to join us.

Bloggers - please feel free to link up your best and brightest post this week.  The floor is open ...

Weekend's loveliest blessings to you, to yours ~
Linda


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visiting with
Mary & Sue

On the Porch * Dear Linda

Welcome back to the porch, friends!

Your response to our first On the Porch gathering last weekend was warm and kind and enthusiastic.  If you missed the big debut, click right here to see what happened.  Good stuff.  Exactly what I want On the Porch to look like!  You and me together, hanging out on a random weekend.

Thank you.

We put our feet up, we chat about whatever's on my mind ... or yours.  You might find a bit of Scripture, a few snapshots, links I love, or some kind of 'aha' moment I just can't wait to share.

And if you're a blogger, this is where you link up your best and brightest post of the past week ... be sure to offer readers a bit of a trailer {ya' know, like at the movies!} to entice them to visit you.

They're an enthusiastic responsive bunch, for sure.

Or you might find a Dear Linda letter like I'm sharing with you today.  It's where you ask me a question about relationship challenges, social media stuff, ministry leadership, homekeeping quandaries, healthy living issues.  And I respond.







Dear Linda-- how does one best reengage with the social media and writing world after she did so well at disengaging and struggles with feeling worthy of connection? Heavy question. Oh this return to writing isn't easy but as I told my therapist this week-- I'm committed to this regardless of the numbers but because I believe God has a purpose in bringing me back to my writing home. Thank you for your encouragement ... always!! 
Beth @ Simply Beth

Dear Beth ~

Thanks for being the brave one, the first to put a question on the table.  It means alot to me that you'd be vulnerable enough to say 'this is where I am.'

First of all, I'm so glad you're talking to a professional about this season you find yourself in.  I admire that you're sharing with your readers what you're going through.  That kind of writing is courageous and bold and likely to touch hearts where they are ... wounded, hurting, broken.

You become a safe harbor for your readers because you truly understand where they're coming from.

I love that you say that you're committed to writing because God has a purpose in bringing you back to your 'writing home.'  That vision will keep you focused because you're playing to an audience of One, aiming to honor and please Him.

You mentioned the numbers.

Completely ignore those pesky numbers, the stats.  They are a side show that does nothing but make us feel like we're on a roller coaster.  When they're up, we feel on top of the world and when they're down, we feel like losers.

This craziness does nothing but distract from you want to do which is share your heart, spark conversation, and build community.  Back when I started blogging, I'd often pray that just one person would be blessed by what I had posted.

Just one.

It takes the pressure off you to feel like you've got to perform or achieve some kind of goal.  And it invites you to simply be who you are ... Simply Beth.  Lovely, tender, and gracious.

Speaking of social media, I'd encourage you to pick just one venue and not spread yourself all over the place.  You want to be fully engaged in living your life well, not glued to a screen.  It's such a trap.

You're building relationships.  That's the key ... and it's a delightful one.

You bring up a good point about feeling worthy of connection.  I guess none of us feel truly worthy without Jesus' kindness, His sweet grace.  Without His presence alive and active in our lives, it's too easy to look at the places where we've erred, fallen, or disappointed.  That's so like the enemy to distract us, to keep us looking back instead of looking up to the One who gave Himself, who offered us eternal connection in the first place.

Jesus defines your identity, your worth, your very being.  Keep your eyes on Him ... the author and finisher of your faith {Hebrews 12:2}.

Bless you, girl ~
Linda

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Let's show Beth some love and a warm welcome back to blogging in the comment section.  {Email readers, click on the title of the post to bring you to the party.}

And be sure to visit Beth's site and leave an encouraging word.

If you have a Dear Linda question, please send it along in the comment section {yes, you can be anonymous!}

Or email me at linda stoll @ juno . com

Please keep in mind that I'm a board certified pastoral counselor and a certified life coach ... not a doctor, lawyer, magician, biblical scholar, miracle worker, or licensed mental health professional.

I do love that you're here!
Linda
P.S.
Go ahead!  Share your week's best writing ... or an encouraging word.

If you like this, please spread the word!
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Mary & Sue

On the Porch * Random Weekend Conversations

'Let's go sit on the porch!!'

That's what I'd say if you made your way down the winding drive and dropped in for a visit.

On the Porch debuts today ... occasional weekend conversations with you and me chatting about whatever ends up on the table.

Think open house + small group + your BFF + book club + your therapist + TGIF all coming together to join forces!

You never know who or what's going to show up.  I like that.

  I might serve up some Scripture or some music that's hitting close to home, a bit of link love, a snapshot or two, or an 'aha' moment that's too awesome to keep to myself.

  This is the place for all my fabulous blogging friends to link up your finest post of the past week ... I want to give you every opportunity to get the word out about your amazing-ness.

  After four years, Dear Linda is finally back again!  Ask your questions about relationship challenges, social media stuff, ministry leadership, homekeeping quandaries, healthy living issues.  I promise to listen well to your heart and attempt to offer you some encouraging insight ... or maybe a bit of straight talk.

Click here to read a few Dear Linda posts. 

Keep in mind that I'm a board certified pastoral counselor and a certified life coach ... not a doctor, lawyer, magician, biblical scholar, miracle worker, or licensed mental health professional.

I'd love to hear what's on your mind.

Today?

The bookish links that didn't make this week's My 12 Best Summertime Books simply because the post was already way long.

Enjoy ...
How to Find Time to Read
Kristin @ White Arrows Home

Anne Bogel

6 Reasons Why Introverts Make the Best Writers
Christine Berhard

Ruth Haley Barton

Erin Loechner

Jerusalem Jackson Greer

Lisa Burgess

Hidreley

So very happy that you're here with me ~
Linda
P.S.
Go ahead!  Share your week's best writing, whisper a Dear Linda question {yes, you can be anonymous}, chat about one or two of these bookish links, or simply sit back and enjoy.

If you like this, please share!
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visiting with
Mary & Sue