I Swear, I Didn't Join a Cult!

Welcome, everyone (and by everyone, I mean my boyfriend and maybe my mom) to my second post on Bitten by Buddha. Reviews from the premier posting were mixed. Ok, that’s exactly not true. Nobody said anything negative, but a lot of folks didn’t respond at all. I think many of my friends and family think I’m a little loco and might not want to poke the proverbial hornet’s nest. They wondering, “Since when is Jenny Buddhist?” or “Did Jenny pay money to join some sort of cult?” or “What’s an MCA?”  

I can almost hear my Grandma (who is no longer with us on earth, but who I am quite sure is standing next to me, reading over my shoulder as  I type this), “Beastie Boys? Kids these days and their crazy music. I can’t understand what they’re saying. And they’re always jumping around. Oh for Pete’s sake.” (Insert Minnesotan accent and a frownish expression of annoyance).  I don’t mean to make fun of my Grandma. That is actually a quote I heard from her on many occasions. Always with the jumping around. Yeah, I’m pretty sure I had ants in my pants.

My point is, however, that I don’t think the tone of my first post was clear. I mean, I got the meat of my story across . . . I talked about Sarah and her PWR2MCA project. I wanted to highlight this creative idea that encourages people to go take action in something (anything!) they believe in. But after reading it a few times, it felt like I was reading one of the dumbass reports I have to write for work. Factual, informative, and B-O-R-I-N-G. Where’s the pizzazz? Where is my (naturally snarky) voice? Well, it’s a little bit of a conflict to be continually sarcastic and edgy when you’re trying to promote good will, compassion, and bits of Buddha. Or is it? I’m sure His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, can tell a good knock-knock joke or repeat a limerick about a man from Nantucket. Right? Maybe? I hope so.

But here is the other problem. I want to highlight random acts of kindness, charitable causes, and good deeds – yes? Well, how do you talk about cancer walks and AIDS benefits and the anti-human trafficking movement with humor and a little snarky bite? These are serious issues! I think it’s amazing that so many people are out in the world trying to make our planet a better place. It should serve as a daily reminder to the rest of us that it only takes one small effort to make a big difference. I just want to make sure I find the balance between being a cheerleader for compassion and gratitude without sounding like a holier-than-thou, bonnet-wearing Sunday school teacher. Somehow wearing a bonnet seems very goody-goody, à la Laura Ingalls Wilder on her prairie. Although, now that I think about it, Laura never wore her bonnet and got into a lot of trouble over that fact. Not so goody after all. Maybe I should be a little more “Laura” and a little less “Mary” – her allegedly perfect sister. What Would Laura Do?

I’ve actually been going through the last few months saying to myself, “What Would Yauch Do?” But since this is not a Beastie Boys fan site, I feel that sentiment may be lost on most of my audience. Not that a Laura Ingalls reference will make any more of an impact. Hmm . . . I’ve stumbled on an interesting dilemma. Will more of my friends and family relate to Laura Ingalls or Adam Yauch/MCA?  God-fearing prairie-girl stubbornness versus rapper-emcee bad boy turned Buddhist?

Grandma? Any thoughts?

I hope in the weeks to come I’m able to share the kind of stories that inspired this whole blog. I would love to hear from you, if you were on the receiving end of a random act of kindness. I would love to share your story about a cause that means something to you personally. I will gladly post links to any legit charities or other blogs in order to keep up the positivity! So, in case you know me, and you’re worried I got all mushy and positive and happy, or you’re wondering if you can still drop the “f” bomb in front of me (duh), or if I still guzzle the red wine (I do), or if you really think I’ve joined a cult (there is no membership fee for the path to enlightenment!) . . . don’t worry. I still jump to conclusions, overreact, do impressions of people that annoy me, and swear like a sailor. I just simply want to do those things AND make a difference in this world.

Until next time, peace and gratitude. With a little bite.