grit

New Podcast: You Can’t Go Back. But You Can Move Forward—With Grit and Grace

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In this episode of Journey from Grief to Healing, Ray shares a personal story of leaving home at 18 to join the army—and how that pivotal moment taught him a truth we all live: life is a series of transitions, and none of us are ever truly “settled.”

From small life changes to monumental grief, the way we navigate transitions defines our happiness. Using poignant reflections and a healthy dose of old neighborhood wisdom (yes, Moxie makes an appearance), Ray explores how grief fits into the larger arc of human change—and how embracing the ride is the only way to eventually arrive at peace.

Whether you’re adjusting to life after loss or simply riding the wave of another big shift, this episode reminds you: You’re not alone. You’re not broken. You’re in transition—and that means hope is walking with you.

Today’s Poem: On Quitting by Edgar Albert Guest

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On Quitting

Edgar Albert Guest

How much grit do you think you’ve got?
Can you quit a thing that you like a lot?
You may talk of pluck; it’s an easy word,
And where’er you go it is often heard;
But can you tell to a jot or guess
Just how much courage you now possess?
You may stand to trouble and keep your grin,
But have you tackled self-discipline?
Have you ever issued commands to you
To quit the things that you like to do,
And then, when tempted and sorely swayed,
Those rigid orders have you obeyed?

Don’t boast of your grit till you’ve tried it out,
Nor prate to men of your courage stout,
For it’s easy enough to retain a grin
In the face of a fight there’s a chance to win,
But the sort of grit that is good to own
Is the stuff you need when you’re all alone.
How much grit do you think you’ve got?
Can you turn from joys that you like a lot?
Have you ever tested yourself to know
How far with yourself your will can go?
If you want to know if you have grit,
Just pick out a joy that you like, and quit.

It’s bully sport and it’s open fight;
It will keep you busy both day and night;
For the toughest kind of a game you’ll find
Is to make your body obey your mind.
And you never will know what is meant by grit
Unless there’s something you’ve tried to quit.

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Today’s Good Word ~ Face It

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Early in my career I had a mentor who told me that I would find myself in situations where fear was knocking on my door. My mentor, tongue in cheek, said, “where loose fitting pants so they can’t see your legs shaking.” Then he added, “whatever you do, face it. Don’t turn your back on it because it will show up with a different disguise. Face it early, don’t let them see your legs shaking.” He was right, I faced a number of situations where fear knocked on my door. I also followed his advice and faced it. It made all the difference. 

On Quitting ~ Edgar Guest

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How much grit do you think you’ve got?
Can you quit a thing that you like a lot?
You may talk of pluck; it’s an easy word,
And where’er you go it is often heard;
But can you tell to a jot or guess
Just how much courage you now possess?
You may stand to trouble and keep your grin,
But have you tackled self-discipline?
Have you ever issued commands to you
To quit the things that you like to do,
And then, when tempted and sorely swayed,
Those rigid orders have you obeyed?

Don’t boast of your grit till you’ve tried it out,
Nor prate to men of your courage stout,
For it’s easy enough to retain a grin
In the face of a fight there’s a chance to win,
But the sort of grit that is good to own
Is the stuff you need when you’re all alone.
How much grit do you think you’ve got?
Can you turn from joys that you like a lot?
Have you ever tested yourself to know
How far with yourself your will can go?
If you want to know if you have grit,
Just pick out a joy that you like, and quit.

It’s bully sport and it’s open fight;
It will keep you busy both day and night;
For the toughest kind of a game you’ll find
Is to make your body obey your mind.
And you never will know what is meant by grit
Unless there’s something you’ve tried to quit.

Today’s Quote on Success

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“Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be.”

George A. Sheehan

Life Hack: Rise & Shine Destiny Awaits You

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“Just One More Try” Poem by Robert W. Service on Grit

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When you’re lost in the wild and you’re scared as a child, And death looks you bang in the eye;
And you’re sore as a boil, it’s according to Hoyle To cock your revolver and die.
But the code of a man says fight all you can, And self-dissolution is barred;
In hunger and woe, oh it’s easy to blow— It’s the hell served for breakfast that’s hard.
You’re sick of the game? Well now, that’s a shame! You’re young and you’re brave and you’re bright.
You’ve had a raw deal, I know, but don’t squeal. Buck up, do your damnedest and fight!
It’s the plugging away that will win you the day, So don’t be a piker, old pard;
Just draw on your grit; it’s so easy to quit— It’s the keeping your chin up that’s hard.
It’s easy to cry that you’re beaten and die, It’s easy to crawfish and crawl,
But to fight and to fight when hope’s out of sight, Why, that’s the best game of them all.
And though you come out of each grueling bout, All broken and beaten and scarred—
Just have one more try. It’s dead easy to die, It’s the keeping on living that’s hard.

Robert W. Service.

Hold Fast ~ Poem by E. J. Appleton on Courage & Grit

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Hold Fast

When you’re nearly drowned in trouble, and the world is dark as ink;
    When you feel yourself a-sinking ‘neath the strain,
  And you think, “I’ve got to holler ‘Help!'” just take another breath
    And pretend you’ve lost your voice—and can’t complain!
      (That’s the idea!)
    Pretend you’ve lost your voice and can’t complain!

  When the future glowers at you like a threatening thunder cloud,
    Just grit your teeth and bend your head and say:
  “It’s dark and disagreeable and I can’t help feeling blue,
    But there’s coming sure as fate a brighter day!”
      (Say it slowly!)
    “But there’s coming sure as fate, a brighter day!”

  You have bluffed your way through ticklish situations; that I know.
    You are looking back on troubles past and gone;
  Now, turn the tables, and as you have fought and won before,
    Just BLUFF YOURSELF to keep on holding on!
      (Try it once.)
  Just bluff YOURSELF to keep on—holding on.

  Don’t worry if the roseate hues of life are faded out,
    Bend low before the storm and wait awhile.
  The pendulum is bound to swing again and you will find
    That you have not forgotten how to smile.
      (That’s the truth!)
    That you have not forgotten how to smile.

Everard Jack Appleton.

Turning A Knockdown Into A Triumph

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Know anyone who hasn’t been knocked down? Know anyone who hasn’t taken a hard blow? I don’t. Those who reach down and find their inner toughness, get up, shake it off, and become determined to make something good happen from what was bad. They have the courage to transform the moment into a beautiful, creative piece of human courage. You and I have the capacity to be that person. Dig down, dig deep, never quit. Turn the bad moments into good moments. This brief Ted Talk will inspire you to turn tragedy into triumph.

A Story Of Hope and of Courage

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Stories of men and women who overcome adversity inspire me. Their stories are a continual reminder to me that no matter how difficult my challenges, how high the mountains appear in front of me, I am strong to fight on. This YouTube video is a bit longer, it is 12 minutes, but it will be worth every minute of your time. Jack Kavanagh is one of my heroes. After you listen to his story, he will be your hero as well.

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