No more Vanilla Nice! -The Snarky Side of Moxie comes Out of the Closet

 

Yippie! My Moxie is roaring back! Did you catch Sandi’s amazing guest post yet? If not you should definitely head over there… but do come back here. Or better yet wait until you are done here!

I am just so darn excited. When I started my Bliss Habits game I hoped for the kind of week this has become. Things start off with a little bit of an inquiry and then bubble up to a crescendo of excitement. I knew that concentration on a habit would net good results but frankly I was struggling with Moxie. Then Sandi came by with her little exercise and had me remember some of my moxiest moments.

I’ve had a bunch. That part wasn’t new to me but what was, were the ones that really made me happy have a kind of Snarkiness to them. Now if you have been a reader of this blog for any length of time you know that Kindness is kind of a mantra around here. Snarky can have a mean streak. Meanness is nothing I want to promote but when I look back, some of my favorite Moxie moments have an in your face, up yours, I dare you to tell me not to do it sort of vibe.

Example: While on the job at a company I came to despise because of their unfair compensation practices, my friend Holly and I included a “standard resignation letter” within the pages of the hiring packet we were tasked with putting together. It was the very letter we both used and while I really can’t condone my actions, when we did it I felt vindicated and wonder to this day, with a bit of a smile, how long it took them to notice its inclusion.

Anther Example: My Sweet Sixteen birthday party. I decided I wanted to have one, but due to some some misbehavior on my part my parents cancelled the party. I was in complete denial and told them I would go ahead with the party anyway. They said no you won’t, and they withdrew all financial and transportation support. I didn’t care. I just kept planning, spent my own money and carried supplies on the back of my bike to set up for the party. I gave out invitations at school and just proceeded as if everything was all set.

My parents continued to say no up to and including the day of the party but I was not deterred. In the end, once the doorbell rang and my friends showed up, my Dad took out his camera and the party was on… I may have been grounded for the next month but I had my party. To this day I don’t know how I got away with it and I am proud of my Moxie.

Now, previously I wouldn’t have neccessarily included these examples of Moxie, but Sandi’s instructions were not to filter responses. These two events made me feel great even if upon retrospect I also feel a little ashamed. You see I want to be a “good girl.” I believe in promoting the greater good and now I totally get that this very fact has been hurting me here at Bliss Habits.

I have been feeling a little blah about things around here, part of the reason for my habit shake up coming in May but even more importantly as I see it now, I have been trying to be all virtuous and good in my handling of things which completely silences a big part of me. You know the part, for I assert we all have it, the bit that gets outraged when children are abused, the part that gets angry when politicians lie, the growing fire inside of you who says something must be done!!

Snarky can have a little hint of mean, but more importantly it has a way of amplifying anger. Bliss and joy are all well and good but getting angry enough to do something is far more potent in some circumstances. I have some snark. There are things that make me angry, but except for a few instances (like Surprise! I’m flipping someone off! and Everybody knows Plastic Kills) I’ve kept things pretty vanilla nice around here.

Now I am not saying that I won’t be continuing with the good will, what I am saying is the good feelings I get from the positive side of things starts to lose its luster when I avoid, stuff or otherwise ignore the things that get my snark in a tizzy.

So how about you? Have you too been stuffing your snark because somehow it felt wrong to let it fly? What places have you been ashamed or afraid of tackling because they feel a bit wrong? 

It is time to let Snarky out of the closet!

• Share in a comment something that makes your blood boil!
• Share something Snarky on Facebook or with friends.
• If you blog, write a post about something that you’ve been afraid to share.
• Don’t stop there… now that you’ve identified something that angers, think of something you can do about it.
• Use snark as a tool for good and never be ashamed again!

I can’t wait to hear what happens when you let your Snarky out of the closet!

(P.S.  I’m not going to let us forget about this, one of the next 13 bliss habits will be Snark! Kindness is also one,so my good girl will also be placated, but get ready to let your snarky side fly!!)

 

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