empowerment & inspiration ... all for you
february 26, 2016

this month SNIPPETS
celebrates 10 YEARS!

inspiration station

the rest of the story

The late Paul Harvey, a radio personality, used to end his narrations with "and now you know ... the rest of the story" in his slow, contemplative drawl. His last two words of each story was "Good Day!" which he delivered in a quick and dismissive pace.

One of my beach yoga instructors, Jamie, as she guides us to stay centered and in the moment of our yoga practice, often suggests we "set aside any thought" that arises. She says, "Don't write the story." In other words, she doesn't want us to go off on a barrage of thoughts and self narration when we should be focusing on what our bodies and souls are doing on the yoga mat: balancing, centering, stretching, being mindful. She adds these important words:

10 minutes ago is gone
10 minutes from now we don't know
the only important time is now

How often do we write the 'rest of the story?' Oh yea - plenty. We worry about something and we "write" the ending (usually negative) when truly, we don't know it.

We glance at a stranger and we "write" their story," harshly judging the way they look or act, because we think we know. (These are people we don't know, so how can we write their stories???) We do it as well to people in our lives: family, friends, coworkers as we listen or watch their circumstances. We write their stories.

As well, we ponder the future, whether tonight, next month or five years from now; and we "write" the entire scenario, even the ending - and it's not even here yet.

I don't know about you, but I really want to begin not finishing the stories in my head, especially about others, and in my own situations. I found Jamie's advice to be very wise indeed.

Paul Harvey's ending, in this case, is not appropriate, since truly, we do not know the rest of the story. And what we are fabricating in our heads is usually off. And if we think we know, it might not turn into such a "good day" after all.

Have a reaction to today's snippet?

share here

your fellow snippeteers are listening

snippeteer backtalk and welcomes

... new snippeteers

Janice (welcome back!)

Marianne
Linda
Sherry

snippeteers' reactions to

"ditch the doo-doo"

"Great metaphor. I loved it." :)

~ Cynthia

"A certified colon hydrotherapist really adores you for this and empathizes thoroughly! Sending Love From LA!"
~ Joyce R in CA

"Thought provoking - lots of truth in that! I'll remember your words whenever necessary in my life! Thanks!"

~ Joyce A in MD

"Dear Suzanne, As always, love your SNIPPETS, and truly understand your displeasure with the process of cleaning up after your pup, it's the primary reason my hubby does not want a dog. ☹️ However, having owned a home in Florida where our trash cans were curbside, I can't tell you how unpleasant it was to discover that from time to time folks would toss their pup's poop in our bins. Not our pup, not our poop! So happy to have a new home with a gated drive & a place to store our bins off the street. You may want to reconsider ditching your bag before getting home. Just a thought."

~ "Puppyless" in Key West

(Suzanne replied to 'Puppyless' that she always finds a public trash can and never ditches the doo-doo in a neighbor's can - promise!)

good to giggle

judgmental judy
in the case of the complaintiffs

All rise. Order in the court!

Judgmental Judy would like to address her courtroom of defendants who work in life's Complaintiff Department. (plaintiff = those who file complaints in court). [This must be some sort of oxymoron that she, as a "judgmental" judge, is complaining about complaining.]

Whine, whine, whine, complain, complain, complain, that's all everyone seems to do these days. Have people listened to themselves? On facebook posts, in emails, face-to-face conversation, on the phone, in Judgmental Judy's column.

Why is it a choice of attitude vs. gratitude?

A recent example is how during the Baltimore blizzard last month, everyone whined about the snow. Yes, granted, it was a MOUNTAIN of snow up to the knees. Yet here our Good God doled out to his favorite humans a few BONUS days to slow down, live in pajamas, lounge around the house, light fireplaces, watch movies, play games, be free from work and school, create snow angels, go sledding, snap pretty snowflake pictures ... and still, how was the topic treated? One person posted on facebook sarcastically - "Gee thanks, snow" - about not being able to get into the office that day. (On a non-snow day, does she complain about having to work???)

Others whined about the snow plows not clearing their roads quickly enough (coldly forgetting the trucks are driven by real live HUMANS who worked around the clock to get the job done, without sleep, food and snow playtime with their families). To where were people planning to drive anyhow? Everything was CLOSED!

There is the whining about the heat in the summer contrasting with complaints about the cold in the winter. Pick one - which temp do you want???

Why do we want the opposite of what's in front of us?

A foursome of senior golfers on the course were complaining, "These hills are getting steeper as the years go by." Another piped up, "And these fairways seem to be getting longer." A third said, "The sand traps seem to get bigger, too!" After hearing enough from his three buddies, the fourth guy, said, "Quit your dang complaining and just be thankful we're still able to golf - and that we're still on THIS side of the grass!"

GUILTY! Judgmental Judy bangs her gavel on complainers and stinkin' thinkin' ... say something GOOD. Quit the Complaintiff Department - get a new job.

The Judge says, when you find yourself ready to file in court as a complaintiff, STOP. It's that simple. Pause the words from your mouth, cut off the thought in your head. Turn it around and express a positive. Focus on the good - and the good shall show.

Case closed.

Have a motion to file on today's court case?

share here

Judgmental Judy is listening

ciao ...

until you snippet again

suzanne molino singleton

creator of SNIPPETS

Celebrating 10 years! created 2006

email SNIPPETS here

SNIPPETS website

Not yet on SNIPPETS' distribution list?

Enter your email address on the website and each issue will be automatically delivered to your inbox on Friday mornings.

click cover to order $7.99/paperback $2.99/Kindle

An assortment of inspirational snippets to encourage, empower, validate and motivate, inspired by Suzanne's countless bike rides through scenic Baltimore County, Maryland and along Florida's Gulf beaches. Whether you're a cyclist or not, you'll latch onto these wise words of inspiration to guide you while pedaling up and down life's hills.