I met a young woman recently who was from China. She lived in the north where there was snow six months of the year. She told me that she had a cold disease.
When it got very cold, she would break out in hives all over her body even around her eyes. She lived that way for over 20 years. She is a very small person and I can only imagine the suffering she experienced in the unrelenting northern cold.
She also told me her grandparents raised her. That indicates another difficult narrative.
In her mid-20s she came to San Diego and got a job. She has an uncle who lives here.
She says even here in San Diego when it gets cold in the winter and rains sometimes her hives come back.
I looked at her, smiling at me, noted her very gentle manner, and I thought that inside that little body, inside that sweet soul — grit.
Grit is defined as courage and resolve; strength of character, unyielding courage in the face of hardship or danger.
Inspired by my Chinese friend’s grit, I penned some thought proverbs. Here they are for your ruminations.
Tough times?
Grit and bear it; the grin is not required.
Grit your teeth if you must, grind on anyway.
Grind on; sans grit.
True as grit; false as grand.
Grit in the face of danger.
Grit is found in two places; in the dirt and in the person in the dirt.
Sandpaper your words; use a fine grit.
Eat sand; blast injustice.
The good life requires grit — and gratitude.
Thrive! 