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friday 
october
16            
2015
 


 
reflection section
owning up

In my Girl Scout leader days, I learned that Brownie Girl Scouts ages 7-8 weren't too efficient at keeping tabs on their possessions. So during the planning of camping trips, the info sent home to parents included the message PLEASE LABEL ALL ITEMS. (Didn't matter. The LOST 'N FOUND box was plenty full at the end of any camping weekend.)

During one such camping adventure, there was a yellow flashlight lying around without a name on it. I asked the entire troop several times, "Whose flashlight is this???" without a reply from its owner. All day and the next, I persisted in trying to find the flashlight's owner; even approaching each girl face to face to ask: "Is this your flashlight?" ... with a shake of the head from each.

Turned out ... it was MY flashlight. Oops. (Insert red face)



Changing scenarios ... I wanted to sleep in on a recent Saturday morning after an evening out the night before, and at 7:30-something, I was awakened by the annoying loud drone of a riding lawn motor. Pulled the pillow around my head and tried to return to slumber, without luck. Grumble, grumble grumble ... 'WHO CUTS THEIR GRASS AT 7:30 ON A SATURDAY MORNING?' Grumble grumble. "Don't people know some of us are trying to sleep?"

With additional mumbles and grumbles, I gave in to the morning light, hopped out of bed and went downstairs to make a cup of coffee. Stumbling into the kitchen, what do I see through the window in our backyard? Our grass-cutting service on their riding mower ... who I had requested to show up that week on SATURDAY instead of their regular Monday, in preparation for a pool party we were hosting.

(insert second red face)

During those times when we are primed to point a finger, place blame elsewhere and try to shame someone into taking ownership, is a perfect time for us to recall that we are ALL human, and we are each responsible for ourselves (and our belongings). Let's focus inward to correct our own errors instead of righteously facing outward to throw stones.

Own up to the flashlight. Is it yours?

Share briefly here with other snippeteers a similar situation.



new snippeteers!
            • Linda B
            • Michelle W
            • Michele G
            • Patty D

snippeteer backtalk
  • "So glad you're back. Really missed SNIPPETS all summer!" ~emailed from 'sassytart'
  • "Suzanna, You have no idea how much I needed today's snippet! I have been running on fumes - feel like I am on a treadmill and can't get off. I know I need to recharge - I am going to take time - even if it has to be in small bits - just to breathe and be settled. Thank you!" ~Karen R in MD
  • "Suzanne, Another wonderful snippet and something we should all practice." ~Grazie, Phyllis in MD

on 'taking the high road' ...

  • "Hi Suzanne, I sympathize with your reaction to another person's rudeness. I just assume everyone will be nice and when they're not, I am completely shocked. My first reaction would have been the same as yours, but I don't think it would have been a printable response! Your cousin was correct - the high road was the best decision." ~Paula C in NJ
  • "Good one, Suzanne. Strangers, co-workers, even family and friends - taking the high road and keeping one's mouth shut is usually difficult, but also pays off. Most often the retort only leads to a full scale confrontation, and I find myself feeling like I'm speaking a foreign language when the person I'm interacting with just can't or won't see the same big picture. Not that I'm always right! But it sure does diffuse the flame. And if the issue still needs addressing, it's better done later, when everyone is calm." ~Mary-Lynn R in MD
prayer flares
  • FOR Joan recovering from surgery to remove a brain mass
  • FOR Ron (FL) with a hurt back, recovering from a fall
  • FOR Ally grieving over the loss of her mamma Rose


quote


ciao ...
until we snippet again,

suzanne molino singleton  
creator of SNIPPETS   
(since 2006) 

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