may 1, 2020
SNIPPETS logo
reflection section
commanding & demanding - uh, no
Lupini photo
There are two kinds of walks with pup Lupini Martino Molino:

#1) The Command & Demand: me in sneakers trying to "fit him into" my schedule of time and a workout. It sounds like this: "C'mon! ... let's go! ... keep moving! ... walk faster ... leave that ... leave that, too! ... must you sniff every blade of grass? ... 5-second sniff rule is up ... are you finished yet? ... I have stuff to do ... I'm not getting much exercise ... Lupini!
When are you gonna ca-ca already???"

#2) The Stroll & Roll: me in flip-flops holding the first mug of morning coffee in one hand, leash in the other, and my cell phone tucked into my bra. It looks like this:

Lupini is allowed to stop as much as he desires ... sniff every blade of grass ... roll around in every stinky thing ... burrow his nose in the grass ... chase those zippy tiny Floridian lizards he'll never catch ... weedle on every bush, tree and pole we pass until there is absolutely no piddle left ... pull me over this way ... tug that way ... stop every 25 feet to lay and relax on a cool patch of grass ... I am not commanding or demanding ... I busy myself texting a few "good morning" bitmojis to my peeps ... take his picture ... and text buongiorno to my Sardinian cousins ... all the while sipping delicious hot java spiked with cinnamon in my unspillable purple butterfly travel coffee mug.

Which pup walk sounds as if it might be calmer, more enjoyable and less frustrating? The Command & Demand or The Stroll & Roll?

For me - #2 ... for Lupini - #2.

#1 works for neither except to cause us both annoyance.

It rarely works when we try to "mold" someone into our schedule. When we try to "squeeze" them in. When we attempt to command, demand, and control the person and/or situation. There is no enjoyment or accomplishment for anyone - only frustration and exasperation.

Can you think of a person or situation with whom / in which you try to do this? How's that working for you? When we can step back and relax ... stroll into it instead of walking all over it ... roll with it ... allow it to play out cooly ... is when it just might work out better for everyone involved.
share your thoughts?
email here about today's topic
(or any previous snippet)
please include FIRST NAME & STATE
snippeteer backtalk
welcome clipart
to new snippeteers

  • Kristina
  • Ann

"I could really relate to your column. I think our frustration during this pandemic comes from those of us who follow the rules because we want to keep ourselves and our families safe, yet we see people who just do what they want to do, without thought of how they might be hurting others. To be honest, there are people who are just plain selfish, who only care about their own wants. And we do get mad, because we are doing the right thing. I don't think you were wrong to speak up - you have the right to protect yourself and your family. If your comment makes them stop and even think about their actions, then it was worth it. Just don't worry that YOU were wrong. This is not a little stomach bug - this is a deadly disease. Hang in there, friend. We are all struggling with this and I share your frustrations!"
~ Karen in Maryland

"I do try to stay in my own lane almost all the time but you know, when our Italian blood starts to simmer ... "
~ Stef in Maryland

"Thank you, as always, for making me think. Last week's snippet really hit me as I recently corrected people for going the wrong way down grocery aisles. They all but thumbed their noses at me.
You weren't sitting in your own stuff, but the world's stuff. We are all in this together and you are absolutely correct, we have to work together or it won't get any better. What gave that couple or the other people out on the beach the right to ignore health, state and federal guidelines while the rest of us quarantine and respect social distancing. We have the right to express our views and they don't have the right to use a closed beach. 
I am probably feeling as frustrated right now as you did watching them wiggle past the 'beach is closed sign' but a lot of that frustration comes from watching people that just don't care. How did we get to be such a me, me, me world? Think globally, act locally. Show your fellow citizens of the world respect and empathy. Why can't people grow up and behave?"
~ Tee in Florida
prayer flares
FOR Sarah diagnosed with Lupus

FOR Trey , 27, diagnosed with colon cancer

FOR Brian to receive a good report on his lung scan
pray clipart
good to giggle :-D
and we thought the dryer was making our clothes shrink ... turns out it's the refrigerator!
queen of quotes
we never know the end of the story
until we get there
Ciao until you snippet again ...
photo of Suz in kayak

suzanna molino singleton
writer, editor, author

SNIPPETS inspiration
(fridays since 2006)
keep your email address updated on SNIPPETS' distribution list;
email here if it changes
forward this email today to a friend who
could use a little snip-me-up ...