empowerment & inspiration ... all for you
july 22, 2016 

reflection section
the perfect setup

I just got finished arranging our pool area in our back yard to host four sweet Molino cousins coming over for a swim this afternoon. Of course, now the area looks all perfectly pretty and neat. The perfect setup. 

But I am sweating. :-D

The 'perfect setup' took sweeping, tidying, skimming the pool, squirting off the pool rafts, straightening the pool room, setting out the pool toys, pulling out cushions from storage for the rattan couch, watering the flowers, washing off the patio table, laundering pool towels, ridding the area of beetles, making lemonade, readying a few snacks, and tidying up the bathroom off the pool area: filling soap, putting out fresh towels, and replenishing tissue and toilet paper.

When it was all done, I thought how nice it looked - the perfect pool setup - and then I thought about how we often forget what goes on "behind the scenes" of others' lives. We see and watch various scenarios (be it facebook photos, face to face, or from afar) and we think:

"Ahhh, don't they just have the perfect setup!" 
(sometimes this thought is mingled with envy, jealousy or said snidely; and sometimes it is with genuine happiness for the person)
 
Now, don't you think that person had to sweat to get their setup exactly how they wanted? Whether it's their 'perfect' marriage you (think) you're witnessing, or their toned bodies you're looking at (in such a perfectly cute bikini, too!), or their beautiful home, gorgeous boat, their thriving business, their dream vacation, or a pretty pool area.

Snippeteers, this is where I am supposed to remind you that things do not get 'magically' set up - no. People work hard at creating their setups. They sweat for it. They earn it. Let's be careful of the envy and jealousy or even a snide comment. Because ... and you know what I am going to say here ... if we want 'the perfect setup' just like they have, guess what? We have to go create it ourselves. 
 
Another thought that came up for me on this topic is that sometimes people "show" the "perfect setup" and yet it's a trick, a farce, a front. Behind the scenes they are a mess! (As an analogy: just look inside my pool room to see everything I tossed in there while tidying up the pool area.)

We need to be careful of what we THINK we see.  
 
Is someone's "perfect setup" distracting you?
        
Share any thoughts ...

email Suzanne
(include first name and state, or 'name withheld')
 
good to giggle  

 
snippeteer backtalk & welcome 
 
 


new snippeteer 
Melissa in MD! 




reactions to July 15 snippet:
why is she happy?

SNIPPETEERS - feel free to comment as well on any of the snippeteers' reactions you read weekly ... and just a friendly reminder to keep emails brief so we can republish all! 
 
"Yes, yes, yes, Suzanne! I choose happy! I smile at everyone I see. I speak to strangers and make small talk and friendships all of the time. 'A stranger is merely a friend you haven't met yet.' 
     Wake up people! Life, love, and happiness is a state of mind and a state of being. Suzanne is happy, I am happy, our Australian snippeteer is happy. Be the Tigger in your life! Find other Tiggers and surround yourself with joy and gratitude. Bounce happily through your precious life, spreading cheer in your wake! It is easy ... it's a choice. Hey, sad lonely lady, bubble up!"
~ Geri in Maryland  

prayer flares
 
FOR the Lesley family in MD on the loss of their husband/father, Glenn, after a short bout with pancreatic cancer
FOR Gerry's brother, Wayne in FL, may he rest in peace

FOR the Gilbert family in MD who lost John suddenly in a car accident

FOR Mike K in MD, healing after a car accident

FOR Mike in FL still fighting and rehabbing after a bad accident last fall

FOR Patti's B&B business in NY to be busier during weekdays

kiss a flamingo today

ciao ...
until you snippet again

suzanne molino singleton  
creator of SNIPPETS   

celebrating 10 years

Not yet a snippeteer? Receive inspiration in each FREE issue every Friday in your inbox simply by entering your email address on SNIPPETS website or replying to this email.

snippets links