by Tamara Magnitsky
Snark week always seems to take Bliss Habits folks a bit by surprise. Both Tamara and January confess difficulty (although they always manage to deliver the fabulous!) and folks comment that it is a funny transition between Simplicity and Hope in my line up. Here is the thing, if used properly, I really think snark can be a power for good. Whenever I feel the hint of Snark it is usually pointing to someplace where I would like to see change.
The definition I choose to use is:
Snark – Giving a voice to the the feisty, straight talking beacon of authenticity within us.
Whenever I hear the feisty sting of snark in my head I know there are wounds to heal. Snark gives us permission to look at the darker side of our emotions.
January discovers this:
In The Service Of Snark by January Handl
I think I have compassion locked up
I get other people’s pain, their grief
Their fear…
I understand
when it twists into anger
Fury
But I am transforming it all into
Beautiful LOVE
Until the massage therapist begins to knead
My hidden knots,
My unvoiced annoyances
My deep passion
For social justice
My disbelief
At the callous apathy
Of my fellow travelers
Or at least
At the very least
My shock at not
being
Treated as worthy
Of
Beautiful LOVE
And the vault clicks open
And my voice finds
Its balance and certainty
And before my mind
Can stop it
I say
“Today,
I am a walking wound
And
You
Are
All
SALT!”
Salt! Yes snarky salt! Pointing to the hurt spots. You’ve got some too! Take this week in acknowledgement of those places in you. Share some snark with us, heal your wounds!
(On the other side is Hope… and we’ll spend next week there!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~
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” 🙂
I admit snark is a difficult one for me too… But I love your definition of it, Kathy–it leaves a lot of promise open to this state. Tamara & January give great voice to how to shift out of the tough, painful spots! Thank you for this, ladies! :o)
Thank you Tracy!!
Snark is easy for me, and I have to manage it because it can easily become a default to hide behind when I feel vulnerable.
Yes! That is a line to be aware of… I use it as a way to feel a little bit braver. I can hide behind a little snark if what I’m saying is out of my comfort zone. Must watch the vulnerable line!! Thank you Sandi!!
Thankyou Tamara for a sharing…January beautifully articulated in your poem.