Sarcasm does not = Bitterness

A few years ago in a writing class I was taking in college, we were told that to be a successful writer, we must find our voice. What does this mean exactly? Basically, we have to find that voice/attitude/style that will identify our writing as ours. Some people are really flowery and descriptive and you get lost in their many sentences about their surroundings. Some people are experts on just one subject and very passionate at that. So, what is my voice? At the time I was taking the class, I liked to think that I was a quippy, hip, girl-about-town that could easily entertain with my writing. I put a lot of pressure on myself to be able to come up with something great-only to find out that it was just okay. Really. On one of my writing assignments, the Professor wrote that I needed to be, "Less average". I cried more than average tears about that one, but when I talked to him about what he meant, he made me feel more than average and let me know that average was not a bad word, just something that he didn't think that I was. He explained that in most of my writing he had found a style that he enjoyed. He actually looked forward to reading what I had to say because my take on things was unique. Awesome. No pressure or anything. These words have stuck in my head as a turning point in my writing and how I view it. I have appreciated this experience many times throughout the years.
Lately, though, I have been feeling like I have lost my voice. What is it that I want to say? I have been using writing as an outlet for a long time. I don't really care if anyone reads it, but I just picture the words floating from my brain, down my arms, and on to the computer screen. It really is very cathartic. As I look back on my blogs of late I find that I haven't been conveying my thoughts onto computer screen very well. Not that I don't have anything to say, I just haven't been able to pinpoint how I would like to say it. So, I asked myself what my voice is now and I have listened to the thoughts going through my head when I don't have to be thinking about anything at all. Alas, I have found that ever-elusive voice again and it sounds a lot like sarcasm. Sarcasm? Seriously? Yes. I find that I am a little bit sarcastic in my views-not so much the negative sarcasm that will make people feel bad, but sarcasm in a way of looking to find the positive things in situations. And sarcasm does not equal bitterness. Not at all.
Confused? I will attempt to explain in the next few posts if you promise to do one thing: do not think that I am bitter. Seriously. I think that sarcasm can be funny and quite helpful sometimes without being insulting. You will see. Bitter Barlow is not a way that I will be described. Seriously.