Welcome to Snark week!!
OK, so as Tamara and I have distinguished, a child is not likely to wield snark. In this photo what we see is raw honesty. This cake tasted bad and Natasha could not hide that fact.
Each Snark week I feel the discomfort from my Bliss Habits fans. “Snark just isn’t very nice.” I hear a couple grumble. “Bliss Habits is about kind things… why are we going here?” implore a couple more. Inevitably a few people stop following. I have to admit I get it but what I intended with my exploration of Snark is that raw honesty Natasha was showing, and honesty is a path to Bliss.
Take a look at the definition I am choosing to follow:
Snark – Giving a voice to the the feisty, straight talking beacon of authenticity within us.
I am after the honesty and the authenticity that sometime alludes us.
Just yesterday I ran across this snarky thing on facebook:
It made me snort out loud with laughter. Of course I would never actually do that to someone, no matter how “stupid” I thought they were being but the thought of it was fun. Thinking about it allowed me to release some pent up righteousness and acknowledge that I do find some people rude. Nothing needs to be done with this acknowledgement but sharing this snarky idea helped me to realize I am not alone in my feelings and provided a terrific giggle — both of which I find entirely blissful!
I do understand that Snark can have a dark side.
January speaks to that beautifully in her Haiku:
Snark
Truth-telling Iceberg
spoken words can wound or heal
mind the icy intent
by January Handl
When I read it I told her, “You speak to what I think snark is… a warning and a place to tread lightly.” You see I don’t believe snark should be used as bludgeon, but it’s truth telling prowess can lead us to great delights. Snark’s beauty comes from the ability to make us laugh. We tip toe away from political correctness, lean into tricky waters where every truth isn’t pristine. When snark is delivered on the side of bliss, it wakes us with a truth we hadn’t considered before.
Snark surprises us. Snark helps us see things in a different light. Snark can be fun, irreverent and scarily authentic.
This week I intend to enjoy those truths. I plan to skip icy meanness and hope that you will enjoy the ride with us!
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Tamara and January are here each Monday to help set the mood for the week!
Tamara Magnitsky
Tamara Magnitsky, a child of the wild blue yonder,
has been an ardent student and advocate for poetry, photography and excellence in general.
She is the mother of a 6 year old daughter and a beloved wife.
She can be found most days.
Bio written by Cary Brosius ~Tamara’s husband 🙂
January Handl
January Handl is first and always a mother, has been a preschool teacher and parent educator for 25 years. She is currently the Director/head teacher at Gazebo Park School, and lives at Esalen Institute in Big Sur. She lives simply in awe of existence.
She calls her photo “hot tub bliss” 🙂
Snark, when employed without malice, does lead to bliss because it sets free the thoughts we hide inside and judge. Without honesty, there can be no bliss. Snark is honesty with a bit of attitude. It is liberation for a part of us that is usually suppressed or denied all together.
I love the Facebook post. I wouldn’t actually do it to someone but it is fun to imagine it. Now … where’s my glitter?!
“Honesty with a bit of attitude” is a perfect description of the snark I want to pursue!!
Thank you for stopping by… if you are running short on glitter have no fear, I live with a five year old and have plenty to share!!!
This is a great explanation. Why be afraid of a little joking, of poking fun at life and hopefully even ourselves. It’s good to have some feisty honesty going on.
This definition of snark makes me think of Jennifer Lawrence, my new favorite as far as celebrities go. She is so quick witted, which I envy. She told Jack Nicholson he was being rude when he interrupted her interview but then still had a funny flirtation with him a moment later. The best was a red carpet interviewer asking to hear about the pieces she was wearing and she said, “you mean like this is the top and this is the bottom piece?” I loved that because it kind of made fun of the whole pretentious over-obsession with women’s fashion at these kinds of Hollywood events. It just made me love her. Like, who really cares? It was cool that she didn’t!
I just watched the video of the Jennifer Lawrence clips you mention. She was so great! Superb snark delivery!!
Yay, thanks for letting me know my snarky explanation made sense to you. Perhaps “feisty honesty” is the real name of the attribute I am celebrating!