I am interested in the beauty found in humans and the struggles we encounter as well.  People have an amazing capacity to seek out truth and seek out meaning despite less then desirable circumstances.  Many of the at-risk kids I worked with as an educator taught me a lot about struggle and the ability to rise above it.  These children carried such heavy suitcases filled with trauma. How did these kids walk with such a burden, let alone learn and trust anyone, including themselves? I witnessed what seemed impossible on countless occasions. Yet, many of these kids never lost their ability to feel hopeful, allowing them to offset the trauma and all the negative in their lives at least for brief reprieves. Usually with the help of even just one individual and a lot of painful, emotional processing, these kids rose above their circumstances and built a life brick by brick. They were present in their pain, but did not get stuck in it. It was evident to me, they made their truth and their hope for tomorrow, bigger than their fears. These kids were resilient, persistent, gritty “miners” for truth, hope and joy and they have much to teach the world right now.

I love the word “grit” when describing someone who has experienced unfathomable pain and yet continues to make an attempt to search for valuable stuff. The word “grit” evokes a sweaty, dirty, rock-blasting, miner searching for something despite being encapsulated 5 miles under the earth. It is sheer will that forces us to never stop until we find what we’ve been looking for despite being hit with rocks, dust and loud noises. We need “grit” so we never give up the search for those things that have redeemable value, always hoping our lives will be better once we hold the gem in our hands.

Our truth is what gives us value, gives us purpose and gives our lives meaning. Our truth comes from knowing what we are capable of regardless of what we have been told by the world around us. People can hear all day long wonderful things about themselves, but until they start to believe it too, not a whole lot will change. What is it that you tell yourself? Do you have the ability to look back and be a witness to all you’ve overcome, all the people you’ve loved (in big and small ways) and own it? That’s how you mine for your truth. You see how your uniqueness and life experiences have fostered positive change in yourself and in others. That’s your truth.

I found out for the third time, I’m going to be a grandmom. That’s hope personified. With all that is going on in our lives right now and all the trauma so many people are experiencing, babies are still being born because hope is leading the way. It reveals that there is a belief that things will get better and that by planting in the present now, we have faith that we will witness some pretty serious joy down the road. Reveling in that thought just feels good and we could all use a little of that right now.

So, notice what you are awesomely capable of, look for things that make you feel hopeful and find joy. Use your “grit” to not give up on yourself and the world around you. And while we are constantly reminded of how contagious and virulent this COVID-19 is, equally contagious is one’s search for truth, hope and joy. Work on your “grit” and never stop chiseling away for the things that have eternal value and make a big difference in your life and mine.

Questions to ponder or good journal prompts!

1. When you think about people (or maybe even you) who have gone through difficult times and have built a life from the ashes in lieu of suffocating in them, what have you witnessed about their/your struggle to overcome?
2. Are you able to recall a time when your hope was bigger than your fears? How did “grit” walk you through that fear? What did it look like? What self-talk was evident during this experience?
3. How are you living your life now that indicates your are mining for hope?
4. For many who are suffering, doing something for another often makes us feel proactive, useful and is enough to foster hope that we are capable. What can you do to support or “lift” another? Keep it simple.
5. Think about what brings you joy (anything!) and discover what brings others joy. Make a list and work it. Joy is a contagion worthy of spreading.