--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You cannot squelch what's happening at…" description: "\"You cannot squelch what's happening at the moment - you cannot put a lid on it and squash it down.\" — Polly Allen Mellen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/161/polly-allen-mellen-15669_moments_you-cannot-squelch-what-s-happening-at-t_1525379.png" --- # You cannot squelch what's happening at the moment - you… ![“You cannot squelch what's happening at the moment - you cannot put a lid on it and squash it down.” quote by Polly Allen Mellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/161/polly-allen-mellen-15669_moments_you-cannot-squelch-what-s-happening-at-t_1525379.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/161/polly-allen-mellen-15669_moments_you-cannot-squelch-what-s-happening-at-t_1525379.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/161/polly-allen-mellen-15669_moments_you-cannot-squelch-what-s-happening-at-t_1525379.png) > “You cannot squelch what's happening at the moment - you cannot put a lid on it and squash it down.” [Polly Allen Mellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-allen-mellen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Current events cannot be ignored or suppressed; they demand acknowledgement and action. **In simple terms:** You can't hide what's happening now. Key Takeaway Address issues directly. Themes truth action leadership Mood urgent realistic Type motivational practical When to use this quote - crisis management - team meetings - public relations - policy making Key Concepts social dynamics communication Questions to Reflect On - How can you confront a pressing issue? - What are the risks of denial? A Different Perspective Ignoring problems can worsen them. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Happening Moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happening-moment-691750/) [Lid Squash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lid-squash-5648245/) [Moment Lid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moment-lid-5648244/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Squelch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/squelch-5648243/) [Squelch Happening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/squelch-happening-5648242/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Once you've made a record, you don't need to make it again. It's done, and it's out there forever, a moment in time that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-oates/once-you-ve-made-a-record-you-don-t-need-to-make-it-again-it-s-done/) [John Oates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-oates/) > [Expectation closes the door to what is happening in the moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fripp/expectation-closes-the-door-to-what-is-happening-in-the-moment/) [Robert Fripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fripp/) > [What will happen from now on? It doesn't matter. I can only focus on what's happening to me in this moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-martin/what-will-happen-from-now-on-it-doesn-t-matter-i-can-only-focus-on/) [Ricky Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-martin/) > [Good things start happening to you the moment you stop expecting from life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/good-things-start-happening-to-you-the-moment-you-stop-expecting-from/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everything that is happening at this moment is a result of the choices you've made in the past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/everything-that-is-happening-at-this-moment-is-a-result-of-the/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [I may be more passionate about my comedy because that's the one place where I feel comfortable - because I'm in the now. Performing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-mandel/i-may-be-more-passionate-about-my-comedy-because-that-s-the-one-place/) [Howie Mandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-mandel/) > [“I’m interested in what you think is happening in this moment and what is actually happening in this moment. These are not the same.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darryl-bailey/i-m-interested-in-what-you-think-is-happening-in-this-moment-and-what/) [Darryl Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darryl-bailey/) > [There is plenty of time for Republicans to have a Macaca moment. But right now, as of October 17, 2014, the Republican Senate candidates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-continetti/there-is-plenty-of-time-for-republicans-to-have-a-macaca-moment-but/) [Matthew Continetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-continetti/) > [A lesser complaint: hair extensions. There are moments on 'All My Children' when half the women actors, young and old, seem to be afflicted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/a-lesser-complaint-hair-extensions-there-are-moments-on-all-my/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [One of the best moments of any Liars show is hearing the crowd squawk 'We're doomed! We're doomed!' on cue during 'We Fenced Other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-sheffield/one-of-the-best-moments-of-any-liars-show-is-hearing-the-crowd-squawk/) [Rob Sheffield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-sheffield/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [It's those moments, those odd moments that you look for and sometimes by creating this kind of loose atmosphere you find those little moments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-levinson/it-s-those-moments-those-odd-moments-that-you-look-for-and-sometimes/) [Barry Levinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-levinson/) > [Because after you've crossed some lines, you just keep crossing them. And there's no escaping from constant escape. Distracting ourselves. Avoiding confrontation. Getting past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/because-after-you-ve-crossed-some-lines-you-just-keep-crossing-them/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [These joys were so trifling as to be as imperceptible as grains of gold among the sand, and in moments of depression she saw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/these-joys-were-so-trifling-as-to-be-as-imperceptible-as-grains-of/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) ## More by Polly Allen Mellen > [I hate grunge. It was the worst period of my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-allen-mellen/i-hate-grunge-it-was-the-worst-period-of-my-life/) [Polly Allen Mellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-allen-mellen/) > [I wear all my T-shirts from Helmut Lang with the holes in the elbows, which people always speak of. When my husband gets a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-allen-mellen/i-wear-all-my-t-shirts-from-helmut-lang-with-the-holes-in-the-elbows/) [Polly Allen Mellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-allen-mellen/) > [There are certain people who hang onto nostalgia and I wish they wouldn't. I wish the young beautiful actresses and other people - I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-allen-mellen/there-are-certain-people-who-hang-onto-nostalgia-and-i-wish-they/) [Polly Allen Mellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-allen-mellen/) > [Steven Meisel is completely consumed with what interests him. He does what he wants to do, and when something doesn't interest him, he's not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-allen-mellen/steven-meisel-is-completely-consumed-with-what-interests-him-he-does/) [Polly Allen Mellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-allen-mellen/) > [I think there a lot of great photographers working right now in the 2010. At the same time I do occasionally feel a great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-allen-mellen/i-think-there-a-lot-of-great-photographers-working-right-now-in-the/) [Polly Allen Mellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-allen-mellen/) > [I thought Fred Astaire was the most chic man. I loved the way he dressed. Never mind his dancing, which was beyond - he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-allen-mellen/i-thought-fred-astaire-was-the-most-chic-man-i-loved-the-way-he/) [Polly Allen Mellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-allen-mellen/) > [I also had a huge crush on William Holden. I would go to see William Holden's movies alone - I didn't want to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-allen-mellen/i-also-had-a-huge-crush-on-william-holden-i-would-go-to-see-william/) [Polly Allen Mellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-allen-mellen/) > [I was surrounded by talented people. I always remember Mrs. Carmel Snow, saying to me, "You know, Polly, if one person thinks they're a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-allen-mellen/i-was-surrounded-by-talented-people-i-always-remember-mrs-carmel-snow/) [Polly Allen Mellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-allen-mellen/) > [I think the reason for vulgarity is because of the freedom that there is now to do certain things, and a lack of sophistication…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-allen-mellen/i-think-the-reason-for-vulgarity-is-because-of-the-freedom-that-there/) [Polly Allen Mellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-allen-mellen/) > [One day, Sally Kirkland said to Diana Vreeland, who was the fashion editor of Harper's Bazaar at the time, "I have a young woman…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-allen-mellen/one-day-sally-kirkland-said-to-diana-vreeland-who-was-the-fashion/) [Polly Allen Mellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-allen-mellen/) > [Happy family gives you a brick-by-brick foundation that you build on for the rest of your life. And then it teaches you so many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-allen-mellen/happy-family-gives-you-a-brick-by-brick-foundation-that-you-build-on/) [Polly Allen Mellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-allen-mellen/) > [I do think there is a lack of modernity at the moment - and I don't even like that word, modernity, anymore. There aren't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-allen-mellen/i-do-think-there-is-a-lack-of-modernity-at-the-moment-and-i-don-t/) [Polly Allen Mellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-allen-mellen/) > [Have you ever held a snake? Well, let me tell you, it is so erotic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-allen-mellen/have-you-ever-held-a-snake-well-let-me-tell-you-it-is-so-erotic/) [Polly Allen Mellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-allen-mellen/) > [A lot of women say to me, "Polly, why aren't there more clothes out there that we can wear?" And I don't agree with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-allen-mellen/a-lot-of-women-say-to-me-polly-why-aren-t-there-more-clothes-out/) [Polly Allen Mellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-allen-mellen/) > [I like people with guts. I want to feel in the clothes what the designer is really feeling when they're alone with themselves and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-allen-mellen/i-like-people-with-guts-i-want-to-feel-in-the-clothes-what-the/) [Polly Allen Mellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-allen-mellen/) [Explore all 42 Polly Allen Mellen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-allen-mellen/) ## More Moments quotes > [These joys were so trifling as to be as imperceptible as grains of gold among the sand, and in moments of depression she saw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/these-joys-were-so-trifling-as-to-be-as-imperceptible-as-grains-of/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Because after you've crossed some lines, you just keep crossing them. And there's no escaping from constant escape. Distracting ourselves. Avoiding confrontation. Getting past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/because-after-you-ve-crossed-some-lines-you-just-keep-crossing-them/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [It's those moments, those odd moments that you look for and sometimes by creating this kind of loose atmosphere you find those little moments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-levinson/it-s-those-moments-those-odd-moments-that-you-look-for-and-sometimes/) [Barry Levinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-levinson/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [One of the best moments of any Liars show is hearing the crowd squawk 'We're doomed! We're doomed!' on cue during 'We Fenced Other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-sheffield/one-of-the-best-moments-of-any-liars-show-is-hearing-the-crowd-squawk/) [Rob Sheffield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-sheffield/) > [A lesser complaint: hair extensions. There are moments on 'All My Children' when half the women actors, young and old, seem to be afflicted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/a-lesser-complaint-hair-extensions-there-are-moments-on-all-my/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [There is plenty of time for Republicans to have a Macaca moment. But right now, as of October 17, 2014, the Republican Senate candidates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-continetti/there-is-plenty-of-time-for-republicans-to-have-a-macaca-moment-but/) [Matthew Continetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-continetti/) > [Love is like that, fragile and light. No wonder it rests upon our hearts in intangible moments, bids us follow fleeting thoughts and ideas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-like-that-fragile-and-light-no-wonder-it-rests-upon-our/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When we are capable of living in the moment free from the tyranny of "shoulds," free from the nagging sensation that this moment isn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-z-borysenko/when-we-are-capable-of-living-in-the-moment-free-from-the-tyranny-of/) [Joan Z. Borysenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-z-borysenko/) > [Clear moments are so short. There is much more darkness. More ocean than terra firma. More shadow than form.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-zagajewski/clear-moments-are-so-short-there-is-much-more-darkness-more-ocean/) [Adam Zagajewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-zagajewski/) > [Don't even think for a moment that you are not going to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dzongsar-jamyang-khyentse-rinpoche/don-t-even-think-for-a-moment-that-you-are-not-going-to-die/) [Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dzongsar-jamyang-khyentse-rinpoche/) > [Television, radio, social media. The 24/7 news cycle plows forward mercilessly on our desks, in our cars and in our pockets. Thousands and thousands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-prince/television-radio-social-media-the-24-7-news-cycle-plows-forward/) [Joseph Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-prince/) > [An enlightened awareness is within each one of us, right at this moment. This enlightened awareness is truly unborn and marvellously illuminating; and everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bankei-yotaku/an-enlightened-awareness-is-within-each-one-of-us-right-at-this/) [Bankei Yotaku](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bankei-yotaku/) > [Good manners are not bred in moments, but in years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-mcnair-wright/good-manners-are-not-bred-in-moments-but-in-years/) [Julia McNair Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-mcnair-wright/) [Browse all 20,399 Moments quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You cannot squelch what's happening at the moment - you cannot put a lid on it and squash it down.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Polly Allen Mellen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-allen-mellen/you-cannot-squelch-what-s-happening-at-the-moment-you-cannot-put-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Moments" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-allen-mellen/you-cannot-squelch-what-s-happening-at-the-moment-you-cannot-put-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/161/polly-allen-mellen-15669_moments_you-cannot-squelch-what-s-happening-at-t_1525379.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/161/polly-allen-mellen-15669_moments_you-cannot-squelch-what-s-happening-at-t_1525379.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/161/polly-allen-mellen-15669_moments_you-cannot-squelch-what-s-happening-at-t_1525379.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You cannot squelch what's happening at the moment - you cannot put a lid on it and squash it down.” — Polly Allen Mellen", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Polly Allen Mellen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-allen-mellen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You cannot squelch what's happening at...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-allen-mellen/you-cannot-squelch-what-s-happening-at-the-moment-you-cannot-put-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-allen-mellen/you-cannot-squelch-what-s-happening-at-the-moment-you-cannot-put-a/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```