Because I Had To     …    Command?
I am not really a fan of the word command. It has a certain authoritativeness to it that is somewhat domineering. Commanding, rather than requesting, works for the captain of a ship. But it doesn’t really work in personal relationships. I do not like to be commanded to do things because it just doesn’t make me feel good. Children may command attention or food or sleep but when a partner or friend behaves accordingly, we can quickly lose interest in preserving the relationship. However, there is still one relationship that is based solely on commands that I very much enjoy. Further, these commands are entirely one-way in that I make a command and the recipient must obey. Of course, I am referring to my relationship with my Amazon device, Alexa. Yet, there is one command, around this time of year, I am always somewhat hesitant to make. This command is “Alexa. Play Christmas music.”
As soon as the air turns crisp, I start to think of Christmas. These holiday feelings are only further enhanced by the fact that the stores also begin to offer their Christmas wares. Not too long ago, it was early in November that the first Christmas goodies were spotted. Then it became just before Halloween. Now it feels like September isn’t even over before there are twinkle lights, fake greenery and holiday décor a-glow in every supermarket and store. By the time the ground is covered in its first frost of the season, I am already starting to hum a Christmas tune. But it’s still only October. Despite my desire to command Alexa to play me Christmas songs, I hesitate and consider that it just may be too early?
If I start playing Christmas music in early October, there is a good chance that I will be tired of listening to the music by the time the actual holiday season starts. At least this is what I tell myself. I am also worried that if I make this command too early, Alexa may judge this command as too domineering, perhaps harming our relationship. To me, it feels like this type of command for Christmas music too early in the month of October, is too risky. So, I soften the command instead to either, “Alexa. Play classical  Christmas music.” Or “Alexa. Play the Nutcracker.” Both feel less commanding and more like a spirited request because there aren’t lyrics involved. I mean, I can’t really sing along to classical music. Right?  
But alas, I will admit that by the time the second full week of October rolls around, I throw caution to the wind and make the outright command. Stating in my most firm yet kind voice, I quietly command to Alexa to “Play Christmas music.” And she always does. “Louder.” “Louder.”
Kathy Naumann, possessor of NATURALLY curly hair and the understanding that you can’t control everything!

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